REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: GREGORY BARFIELD, Director Department of Transportation FROM: DREW WILSON, Planning Manager Department of Transportation/Planning Division BY: JEFF LONG, Senior Regional Planner Department of Transportation/Planning Division SUBJECT ..Title Authorize the City Manager to execute a Revenue Agreement with Fresno Unified School District, subsidizing transit fares on Fresno Area Express buses ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommend City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year revenue agreement with two one-year extensions between the City of Fresno and Fresno Unified School District (FUSD). This agreement allows students, faculty, and staff to use their agency-issued identification cards for free access on Fresno Area Express (FAX) fixed-route buses. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Through its automated fare collection equipment, FAX can accept different types of fare media, including agency-issued magnetic stripe identification cards. These cards can be used by FUSD students, faculty, and staff to swipe their ID cards at the farebox for fare payment. FAX will bill FUSD for all rides provided at a rate of $0.75 per ride, with a maximum of $22.00 per month per rider, subsidizing the cost for students, faculty, and staff. The FUSD agreement is for three years and can be renewed for up to two one-year extensions. A Title VI Fare Equity Analysis for Student Fares was approved by City Council on December 1, 2022, with the Budget Resolution amending the Master Fee Schedule, finds no disparate impact on minority populations or disproportionate burden on low-income populations. BACKGROUND In 2013, FAX installed SPX Genfare Odyssey Fareboxes capable of accepting various new fare media, including magnetic stripe cards, which are used on various ID cards. FUSD students have been using a 31-Day Student pass since January 2023 and have taken over 1.2 million unlinked passenger trips on FAX fixed-route buses. This agreement continues the long-standing relationship between FAX and FUSD. Fresno Area Express buses serve most, if not all Fresno Unified campuses. The ID based program allows students, faculty, and staff from Fresno Unified schools to swipe their ID cards at the farebox for payment. FAX will bill the colleges monthly for all rides provided at a rate of $0.75 per ride, up to a maximum of $22.00 per month as stated in the Master Fee Schedule. The Title VI Fare Equity Analysis completed for the student fare found no disparate impact on minority populations or disproportionate burden on low-income populations. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed and approved as to form the proposed agreements. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS This is not a "project" pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. LOCAL PREFERENCE Not applicable since City is not purchasing goods or services. FISCAL IMPACT This agreement will have no impact to the general fund. Attachment: Agreement between FUSD and City of Fresno through FAX