Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Taft council OKs Taft Area Transit fare increase to improve farebox ratio
Summary
On Oct. 7 the council approved a resolution authorizing fare increases for Taft Area Transit after staff reported the system’s farebox recovery was 6.9% in FY 2023–24 and must reach a 10% ratio under PUC code 99268 to maintain certain funding; council voted 4-0 with one absence.
The Taft City Council voted Oct. 7 to approve a resolution authorizing proposed fare increases for Taft Area Transit, a move staff said is necessary to improve the system’s farebox recovery and protect state and federal funding eligibility.
City Manager Jones read the staff report noting the transit system’s farebox recovery was 6.9% in fiscal year 2023–24 and that a 10% farebox ratio is required under PUC code 99268 to receive some state and federal funding. Jones said the city has not increased fares since 2016 and that inflation and rising operating costs make a rate adjustment necessary.
Council members expressed support for maintaining the local transit service, with Councils saying the system is a vital local service for low-income residents, seniors and people with disabilities. "We have a good transit system in our city... it's a vital necessity in our little town to have the transit buses to take our citizens to different stores," Council member Kreier said.
The council opened and closed the public hearing with no public speakers and adopted the resolution by roll call vote; the motion passed 4-0 with one absence. Staff said the proposed increases range from modest per-ride adjustments to higher annual pass costs (detailed table noted in staff materials but not read into the record).
Next steps: staff to implement the approved rate schedule per the resolution and required noticing; the transcript does not record the effective date or the precise new fare table in full detail.
