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Council debates fares and paratransit rules for Addison Orbit; staff to return with ordinance next week
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Summary
Council members debated a fare structure for the new Addison Orbit on-demand service, discussed integration with regional passes and GoPass to avoid double-charging riders, and pressed staff on paratransit handling for riders originating outside Addison; staff will return with ordinance language and technical clarifications at the next meeting.
Council members spent substantial time discussing fares and operational details for Addison Orbit, the town's planned on-demand transit pilot. The discussion focused on three linked issues: (1) whether and how to charge riders for intra-Addison trips, (2) how Orbit fares would integrate with regional products such as the $9 daily regional pass or GoPass, and (3) paratransit arrangements for riders originating outside Addison.
Ashley (transit staff) presented a comparison of regional fares (DART, Arlington VIA, DCTA, Trinity Metro) and noted the existence of a $9 daily regional pass that covers multiple agencies. She said an ordinance to set Addison Orbit fees would be prepared for council action at the next regular meeting. "We will bring an ordinance back at the next council meeting next Tuesday to solidify those fees," Ashley said.
Several council members said they did not want riders to be charged twice when transferring between services and asked staff to confirm whether Via/GoPass technology can avoid double-charging in practice. Staff said the GoPass app can accept a single payment for combined products, but whether Orbit fares could be automatically waived or credited when riders connect to another agency would require technical confirmation with Via and the regional partners.
Council proposals included starting with fares comparable to DART local rates (examples discussed ranged from $1.00 to $3.00 for local trips), offering free rides for children up to an age to be set (council floated ages 10—12), defining seniors (65+), and creating resident-discounted passes or employer codes so Addison residents or local employees could receive reduced or free rides. One council member suggested an Addison resident credit account as an annual benefit.
Paratransit raised particular concern. Council members asked whether DART paratransit riders originating outside Addison could be carried into town and whether Addison would subsidize those trips. Staff said DART will not provide individual rider names due to privacy and that the town currently receives only ZIP-code trend data; staff recommended outreach to hospitals, case managers and large employers to inform prospective paratransit users and will work with Via to create intake and routing protocols. "There's no guarantee DART will stop in Addison," staff warned; council asked staff to pursue technical options and policy choices.
There was no final vote on fares at the work session. Staff were directed to confirm Via/GoPass technical integration options, the practical effect for connecting riders and paratransit handling, and to bring proposed ordinance language back to council at the next meeting.
