Escambia County Area Transit - Annual Summer Youth Pass Program
From:
Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Director
Organization:
Public Works
CAO Approval:
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation Concerning the Escambia County Area Transit Annual "Summer Wheels" Youth Pass Program - Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Public Works Department Director
That the Board approve the annual continuation of the Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) Annual Summer Youth Pass Program for passengers 18 years of age and under, which will be available at no charge from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
[Funding: The cost of promotional material and advertising for this program is $5,500, which will come from Fund 104 - Mass Transit]
BACKGROUND:
The Annual Summer Youth Pass Program was originally created and approved by the Board on April 18, 2013. On April 29, 2014, the Board approved making it an annual program. On May 5, 2016, the Board approved an increase in the maximum age from 17 to 18 years old, and approved offering the passes at no charge to the riders. During the 2015 Summer Youth Pass Program, while the cost for each ID was still $25, 1,589 trips were provided, and 22 ID cards were issued. During the 2016 Program, 614 ID cards were issued at no cost, and 9,721 trips were provided. The Summer Youth Pass will continue to allow Escambia County youth to ride the bus free of charge at any time between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
As approved and directed by the Board during the April 13, 2017, Committee of the Whole workshop, the Summer Youth Pass Program will also be available to participants in the Summer Youth Employment Program, regardless of age.
For the annual program, Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) coordinates with the Escambia County Neighborhood and Human Services Department, the Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department, and the Escambia County School District to provide information to Escambia County schools and community centers. To promote the Annual Summer Youth Pass Program, ECAT would like to include a combination of website, radio, newspaper, and poster promotions.
The Annual Summer Youth Pass Program will be valid from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year and available to passengers 18 years of age and under at no charge. Summer Youth Pass applications will be available to download and print at www.goecat.com, as well as at the ECAT Office each weekday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Promotional material and advertising for this program is $5,500 and will come from Fund 104 - Mass Transit.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:
N/A
PERSONNEL:
No additional personnel required.
POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:
This action complies with the Board's policy of providing safe, efficient, and comfortable mass transportation services to the citizens of Escambia County.
IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:
ECAT staff will continue to coordinate with Escambia County staff and appropriate community leaders to complete all implementation requirements.