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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 47, 2018CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO RESOLUTION NO. 47 Series of 2018 TITLE: A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE RECOMMENDATION TO CREATE RTD YOUTH AND LOW-INCOME PASSES AND LOW INCOME PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES WHEREAS, most students are transit dependent because they are either too young to drive or do not have reliable transportation. Access to affordable, equitable RTD youth transit passes would significantly improve mobility opportunities for them; and, WHEREAS, a youth pass would be a tremendous benefit for Jeffco Public School students because it would provide them with another transportation opportunity to get to school; it would give students better access to amenities such as libraries, recreation centers, swimming pools, and cultural facilities like museums and the zoo; and all youth would have more affordable access to after-school and summer jobs; and, WHEREAS, many communities have created a road map to provide youth or high school students with free transit passes including Baltimore, MD; Fort Collins, CO; New York, NY; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Washington, DC, and Alameda County, CA; and, WHEREAS, Jeffco Public School students would still be asked to spend a significant amount of money for their RTD pass because even with the proposed 70% discount a monthly local pass would cost youth $34, which is roughly $410 a year, and a monthly regional pass would cost roughly $60, which is about $718 for the year; and, WHEREAS, according to RTD's own consultants, there is no financial cost to RTD in allowing children up to 12-years..;old to ride for free compared to the current RTD policy that allows children 5 years ofage oryoungerto ride for free; and, WHEREAS, Jeffco Public Schools have an average free and reduced lunch percentage of 32% with several school communities over 80%. The proposed low-income pass would have a positive impact for many families in our community because affordable transit can significantly improve social and economic inclusion; and, WHEREAS, the economic and social impact of the proposed RTD low-income and youth passes would help bridge the growing economic gap between the wealthy and under-resourced individuals, promote a fairer public transit system, and build a more progressive region; and, WHEREAS, individuals and families living below the poverty line should not be subjected to additional undue hardship when unable to afford the bus fare required to fulfill their basic human needs; and, WHEREAS, affordable transit can have significant and positive implications for social and economic inclusion for those with the lowest levels of mobility and income; and, WHEREAS, families and individuals can immediately feel the impact of lowering the cost of transit by 50%, allowing them to increase their ability to realize economic mobility and break the cycle of poverty; and, WHEREAS, RTD is committed to a public process throughout the Pass Program Working Group and should commit to further public input through the implementation process; and, WHEREAS, the proposed RTD low-income and youth passes and low-income program for families would make the metro area a more equitable place to live and work by ensuring that our public transportation system -and the economic opportunities it provides -is both affordable and accessible to all. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, urges the Regional Transportation District Board of Directors to approve the RTD Pass Program Working Group's recommendations to create a youth pass with a 70% discount for youth ages 13 to 19 years for individual fares, day and monthly passes, and provide free transit for youth 12 years of age and younger who are accompanied by a fare-paying rider; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado also urges the Regional Transportation District Board of Directors to approve the creation of a low-income program with a 50% discount for those living at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level raising funds from new sources to help cover the cost as recommend by most of the RTD Pass Program Working Group to support families in Jeffco Public Schools. DONE AND RESOLVED this 23rd day of July, 2018. By: _!JJ-----4.r/ d-'.,<---..:..~-- Bud Starker, Mayor ATTEST: