WeGo outlines timeline for low‑income ‘Journey Pass’ and reports off‑peak service improvements

WeGo staff told the MTA board that they will present a preliminary design for a low‑income fare program, tentatively branded the Journey Pass, at the August meeting, with a recommended board action expected in October and implementation targeted for November. At the meeting, a WeGo executive said the Journey Pass design will be shared with social service agencies and advocacy organizations and that any fare changes will undergo a federal Title VI equity review before adoption. “At your August meeting, staff will be providing an overview of the preliminary design of that program,” the executive said; the board was told a formal recommendation for action will likely follow in October. The CEO’s report also noted that the agency launched the first round of service expansions funded by the Choose How You Move program, focusing on off‑peak frequency improvements that do not require additional fleet. Staff reported that recent weekend access‑on‑demand (AOD) service operated for a full month in June and provided just under 2,000 trips on weekends — about 22% of all AOD trips for that month. Staff said the expansion and recruitment efforts have allowed the agency to add new operators and that WeGo will continue to coordinate Title VI reviews, community engagement and implementation timelines with mayoral staff and social service partners. No board action was taken at the meeting; the board was notified that the August informational presentation will precede any formal action.