Drafter
Clerk 09/25/2018
Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to public transportation fare waivers or discounts for pilot income-based fare programs; and adding a new section to K.C.C. chapter 4A.700.
Body
1. On June 25, 2018, the King County council passed Motion 15171 requiring the executive, by September 27, 2018, to transmit a report identifying opportunities to make public transit more affordable and accessible to people in need.
2. In responding to the reporting requirements in Motion 15171 to identify opportunities to make public transit more affordable and accessible to people in need, the King County executive proposes that, among other opportunities that will be identified in the report, the Metro transit department conduct pilot fare programs related to an individual's ability to afford transit fares.
3. The King County Metro Strategic Plan for Public Transportation, 2011-2021, 2015 Update, includes "Strategy 2.1.2: Provide travel opportunities and supporting amenities for historically disadvantaged populations, such as low-income people, students, youth, seniors, people of color, people with disabilities, and others with limited transportation options."
4. The King County council has worked with the King County executive and the transit division to implement a number of programs to make public transit more affordable and accessible to people in need.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. A. Section 2 of this ordinance takes effect January 1, 2019.
B. Section 2 of this ordinance expires January 1, 2021.
NEW SECTION. SECTION 2. There is hereby added to K.C.C. chapter 4A.700 a new section to read as follows:
For the purpose of evaluating pilot income-based fare programs, the director may waive or discount the fare or pass prices otherwise established in this chapter whenever the waiver or discount is not expected to require the addition of regularly scheduled public transportation services and, in the judgment of the director, the value of the pilot programs and the benefit to the public exceeds the expected loss of revenue. The loss in
revenue of all such pilot programs and fare discounts shall, in the aggregate, be no greater than six hundred thousand dollars annually.