HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem B: LTD Funding and Service Issues
ECC
UGENE ITY OUNCIL
AIS
GENDA TEM UMMARY
Work Session: Lane Transit District Service Reduction Proposal
Meeting Date: October 13, 2008 Agenda Item Number: B
Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Mark Schoening
www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5243
ISSUE STATEMENT
At this council work session, Lane Transit District (LTD) staff will provide information on the LTD 2009
Service Reduction Proposal.
BACKGROUND
The attached memo and exhibits from LTD staff provide information on the LTD 2009 Service
Reduction Proposal. LTD will be holding public hearings on the proposal on October 13, 2008, and
November 10, 2008. The LTD Board will adopt the 2009 service package at the November 19, 2008,
board meeting. Implementation of the service package will occur in 2009.
RELATED CITY POLICIES
From Eugene-Springfield Transportation System Plan (TransPlan):
TSI Transit Policy #1: Transit Improvements
Improve transit services and facilities to increase the system’s accessibility, attractiveness, and
convenience for all users, including the transportation disadvantaged population.
From Adopted Growth Management Policies:
Growth Management Policy 11
Increase the use of alternative modes of transportation by improving the capacity, design, safety, and
convenience of the transit, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation systems.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
This is an informational meeting; therefore, there are no options for the council to consider.
CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION
None.
SUGGESTED MOTION
None.
Z:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M081013\S081013B.doc
ATTACHMENTS
A. Memo from LTD Staff
Exhibit A: 2009 Service Reduction System Map
Exhibit B: 2009 Service Reduction Sector Maps
Exhibit C: Summary of LTD Route Productivity
Exhibit D: Summary of Boarding Activity Along Deleted Segments
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Staff Contact: Mark Schoening
Telephone: 682-5243
Staff E-Mail: Mark.A.Schoening@ci.eugene.or.us
Z:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M081013\S081013B.doc
ATTACHMENT A
October 13, 2008
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Eugene City Council
FROM:
Andy Vobora
Director of Service Planning, Accessibility, and Marketing
Lane Transit District
P. O. Box 7070
RE: Discussion of LTD 2009 Service Reduction Proposal
Eugene, Oregon 97401
(541) 682-6100
FAX (541) 682-6111
LTD ridership is growing very rapidly. While the District has traditionally
enjoyed favorable ridership and ridership productivity, the last three years
have brought ridership gains of more than 35 percent. In 2007-08 alone
total boardings grew by 17 percent--setting a record of 11.4 million
boardings. This ridership growth has continued into the new fiscal year as
boardings in September 2008 increased more than 18 percent.
The challenging part of this rapid ridership growth is the fact that the growth
is system-wide. EmX ridership continues to set a strong pace, but routes
throughout the system are growing at rates that are unprecedented, and a
little unsettling, due to the District’s lack of ability to meet increasing
demand.
A budget gap is widening as the costs of fuel and paratransit services have
grown rapidly during the past five years. Add to these costs the more
significant impact of a weakening local economy, and the result is that the
District’s general fund is overextended. The use of operating budget
reserves has allowed LTD to maintain current service levels for Fiscal Year
2008-09. The LTD Board adopted sweeping fare increases to boost
revenues, and District staff developed budgets that reduced staffing and
cut materials and services budgets. Capital projects were dropped or
pushed to future years. These strategies helped mitigate the severity of the
budget gap, but cannot close it, and this means bus service reductions will
become necessary in 2009.
Additional revenues are being pursued at state and federal levels, but
these funds won’t address the short-term needs of the District. The Board
examined a local property tax measure that would have generated funds to
maintain current service and also expand service slightly to meet growing
demand.
A decision not to pursue a ballot measure at this time was in response to
comments from local business owners and citizens who felt there wasn’t
sufficient time to educate the voters and who also felt that it is difficult to
pass tax measures.
With no new sources of revenue, LTD is faced with cutting bus service in
2009. More than $3 million in operating reserves will be used this fiscal
year and will allow for a planned reduction in services. LTD Staff have
Discussion of LTD 2009 Service Reduction Proposal, continued
Page 2
October 13, 2008
prepared a service reduction proposal totaling approximately 15 percent of current service hours.
These changes will be dramatic and will affect a large number of riders throughout the District’s
service area. The attached documents outline the changes on a route-by-route basis.
Public outreach has occurred through a variety of open houses, community participation events,
community group presentations, and public hearings. The comments received have helped staff
make adjustments to the proposal, and further comments received from the October 13 and
November 10 public hearings may shape the proposal further.
Exhibits:A.2009 Service Reduction System Map
B. 2009 Service Reduction Sector Maps
C. Summary of LTD Route Productivity
D. Summary of Boarding Activity Along Deleted Segments
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Weekday Ridership Statistics
Fall 2007
Weekday
Route
Productivity
*
RouteName
for Fall '07
79xUO / Kinsrow155.6
101EmX116.4
82LCC / Pearl72.7
32West 1st Avenue62.0
12Gateway60.1
11Thurston59.3
40Echo Hollow57.3
41Barger / W 11th56.4
51Santa Clara56.0
24Donald55.4
30Bertelsen53.4
81LCC / Harris53.1
79UO / Gateway52.8
52Irving52.6
66VRC / Coburg Rd.51.7
13Centennial51.3
36West 18th Avenue51.0
43W 11th / Barger50.7
78UO / Oak Patch49.7
85LCC / Springfield47.3
33Jefferson45.8
67Coburg Rd. / VRC44.6
UO / Westmorelnd44.4
76
73UO / Willamette42.4
00Breeze41.8
03xRiver Road Sta41.3
28Hilyard40.9
64Sheldon Plz / R-G35.6
55River Rd Connector32.0
25Amazon30.9
01Campbell Center28.6
18Mohawk / Fairview28.4
27Fairmount27.3
19Fairview / Mohawk24.9
08xThurston Sta24.3
07xInternational Way22.3
19.5
60Cal Young
*
Represents Boardings per Revenue Hour
System Weekday Average53.3
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