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T Transportation Committee Executive Summary Item: 2005-106 Meeting date: March 14,2005 Date: Subject: District(s), Member(s): Policy/Legal Reference: Staff Prepared/Presented: Division/Department: March 8, 2005 Approval of Public Hearing Content for Potential Fare and Service Adjustments All Public Accountability Policy 2-1, Public Hearings Procedure 2-1 b, Transportation Service Changes and Restructuring 1-3a, Transit Fare Policy Changes 3-2-6, Implementing Procedure 3-2-6a Brian Lamb, (612)349-7510 Arlene McCarthy, (612)349-7766 Edwin Petrie, (612)349-7624 Natalio Diaz, (651)602-1754 David Jacobson, (651 )602-1664 David Christianson, (651)602-1737 Metro Transit, Metropolitan Transportation Services Proposed Action/Motion That the Metropolitan Council approve a package of potential fare and service adjustments, that is to be presented at public hearings for the purpose of public comment and input prior to adoption of any required adjustments. Issue(s) . A serious variance between projected revenues and expenditures is anticipated for the upcoming state biennium, arising primarily from a combination oflower than previously projected Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST) revenues and much higher than projected fuel and health insurance costs. . Staff has developed a combination of measured and balanced adjustments for revenue enhancements, service adjustments, efficiencies, and cost contaimnent to address this shortfall with the minimum of possible impacts to the riding public and the region as a whole. . Council policy as well as state and federal guidelines require public hearings for the purpose of input prior to implementation of any significant fare increase or service adjustment by the public transit system. The dates and locations of these hearings, and other channels for public input, have already been approved by the Metropolitan Council in order to expedite the timing of any necessary actions that may be ultimately adopted. . With the public hearings scheduled for April 12-20, 2005, a completed package of potential changes subject to public input must be available no later than April 2, 2005. The public comment period remains open until 10 days after the final hearing, at which time staff will assess the input and bring modifications to the proposals back to the Council for final consideration in May, 2005. . Summaries of the potential changes will be presented at the March 14, 2005, Transportation Committee. Overview and Funding Analysis ofthe latest regional budgeted transit operation costs versus projected revenues from all sources suggests a variance of approximately $60 million for the biennium or roughly 10% of the overall budget, assuming the status quo in fares and service levels. The Metropolitan Council's transit operations account for about $55 million ofthe total amount. This includes Metro Transit, Metro Mobility, contracted transit operations, and suppOli for community based operations. The balance, $5 million, affects the suburban opt-out transit systems.