Laserfiche WebLink
97 <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that making the entire system fare free would result in a great <br />increase in ridership, and asked at what cost. <br /> <br />Mr. Sampson said the cost to the City would be $346,000. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if other communities have complete free fare syStems, and Mr. <br />Sampson said he is not aware of any. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards noted that new roads such as the Meadowcreek Parkway provide <br />infrastructure for mass transit and other transit options. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he feels the long-term vision is important. He said he f'mds the <br />door-to-door service attractive and thinks having information kiosks is a good idea. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he feels there should be a group working on funding and putting <br />together specific proposals. Mr. Cox asked about the status of using road funds for <br />transit projects. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch noted that VDOT has been sent specific proposals for use of road <br />funds for transit projects, but they have not been approved. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that the MPO requested that $350,000 be diverted for transit <br />projects, but the problem is that the State bureaucracy has not created a mechanism to <br />transfer the funds. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he is very impressed by the report, but there are many policy <br />issues to be discussed by Council, such as the free fare system. Mr. Toscano said he feels <br />the key to expansion of the system is to increase discretionary riders. Mr. Toscano noted <br />that the cost of the free fare system would mean an increase often cents on the tax rate in <br />five years, and tradeoffs would obviously need to be made because he does not see that <br />happening. Mr. Toscano said he would be interested in why people choose not to ride the <br />bus. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sampson said that national surveys show that parking, travel time, and <br />convenience are factors that make people decide not to ride the bus. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he thinks Council should decide what might be priorities for <br />next year's budget during the work session, and suggested that these be teed up for public <br />input early in the process. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked staff to schedule a work session, and noted that the parking <br />plan also feeds into this discussion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he would be interested in Council earmarking parking funds for <br />transit because otherwise Council will be fueling the voracious appetite for parking. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sampson said that a balance is needed because businesses will leave <br />downtown if there is no parking. <br /> <br />Ms. Richards said she thinks downtown parking is a strategic investment. <br /> <br />Mr. Cox said it would be nice to think about having a fund to meet transit needs. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said for the work session more information is needed about what are <br />the economic development benefits to the community from transit. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked Council to give any questions or comments to the City <br />Manager prior to the work session. <br /> <br />REPORT: BOARDED UP HOUSING <br /> <br /> <br />