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Taft council approves Taft Area Transit fare increase to boost fare‑box recovery; no public comments
Summary
The City Council adopted a resolution approving a proposed fare increase for Taft Area Transit after a staff presentation showing fare‑box recovery at 6.9% in FY 2023–24 and the need to meet a 10% minimum under PUC guidance. Council approved the resolution 4‑0 (one absence).
The Taft City Council on Oct. 7 adopted a resolution approving proposed fare increases for Taft Area Transit, the city’s publicly operated transit service, following a staff presentation that said the system’s fare‑box recovery was 6.9% in fiscal year 2023–24 and that state requirements call for a 10% minimum ratio to qualify for certain state and federal funding.
City Manager Jones explained that transit fares offset only a portion of operating costs, which are heavily subsidized by state and federal sources. "In order to receive state and federal funding for transit operations, the Taft Area Transit must meet a 10% fare box ratio, according to PUC code 99268," Jones said during the staff report. Jones added the city has not raised fares since 2016 and recommended the modest increases in the staff packet.
Why it matters: Councilmembers said they support maintaining the service and want to avoid cuts. Councilman Kreider urged residents to use the system to help reduce per‑rider costs. The council approved the resolution and found the action is not a CEQA project under CEQA Guidelines sections 15060(c)(3) and 15378.
Details in the staff report: The staff presentation noted record inflation since 2016, a fare‑box recovery of 6.9% in FY 2023–24 and the city’s desire to keep fares affordable for low‑income riders, seniors and people with disabilities. Council discussion referenced the proposed increases as "about a quarter to 50 cents" per ride and noted an annual pass rise of roughly $5 under the proposed structure; the precise fare schedule was included in the staff packet (table not reproduced in the transcript).
Public comment: The public hearing opened and closed with no speakers.
Vote: A motion to adopt the resolution authorizing the proposed fare increases was moved and seconded; the resolution passed on a 4‑0 roll call vote with one councilmember absent. Councilmember Kreider, Councilmember Scribe, Councilmember Waldrop and Councilmember Shavira voted yes.
Implementation: Staff indicated they have followed the required noticing procedures for the fare change and will implement the new rates according to the schedule in the staff report. The transit fare increase is intended to move the system closer to the 10% fare‑box ratio required for some state and federal funding programs, although staff said additional ridership growth will also be necessary to sustain the service without further increases.
