Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to public transportation, revising rates of fare and eliminating the regular fare peak, off-peak and zone fare differential; and amending Ordinance 13480, Section 2, as amended, and K.C.C. 4A.700.010 and Ordinance 12643, Section 9, as amended, and K.C.C 4A.700.090.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. K.C.C. 4A.700.010 provides for separate off-peak, one-zone peak and two-zone peak fares for full fare adult riders, with zones as set forth in K.C.C. 28.92.030, and time of day limitations for peak and off-peak period trips as set forth in K.C.C. 28.92.115 and 28.92.100.
2. The King County Metro Strategic Plan for Public Transportation, 2011-2021, 2015 Update, includes "Strategy 6.3.2: Establish fare structures and fare levels that are simple to understand, aligned with other service providers, and meet revenue targets established by Metro's fund management policies."
3. A recent peer comparison of thirty comparable bus transit agencies in the United States and Canada found that King County Metro was one of only two agencies with both zones and general time of day pricing.
4. Metro is the only ORCA transit agency with fares that vary by time of day.
5. The 2016 Regional Fare Forum ("Fare Forum"), made up of members representing the policy boards of each of the ORCA agencies, including members of the King County council, was convened last year with a mission to reaffirm agency commitments to regional fare coordination and discuss strategies to further integrate and simplify fares to allow customers to travel seamlessly throughout the region. Among other things, the Fare Forum recommended that ORCA agencies work to simplify fares by eliminating fares that vary by zone and time-of-day.
6. In a March-April 2017 survey to obtain public feedback on Metro's fares, thirty-two percent of respondents indicated they found Metro's fares confusing, or very confusing.
7. An extensive public outreach program conducted by Metro in spring of 2017 found con...
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