TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear an update presentation on the City Of Maricopa Express Transit (COMET) System.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The City Of Maricopa Express Transit operates four types of transit service: (1) Local Demand Response; (2) Regional Demand Response; (3) Limited Local Demand Response; and (4) Limited Fixed Route Service. While all services are open to the general public, the Local and Regional Demand Response primarily serve the senior and disabled population in Maricopa, offering curbside pickup and dropoff. Fare is $1 one way. The Regional Demand Response offers service to Chandler Regional Hospital on Tuesday and service to Casa Grande Banner Hospital on Thursday. We will also transport to any location within a 5 mile radius of either location. Fare is $3 round trip. Both Local and Regional Demand Response require 24 hour advance reservations. The Limited Local Demand Response began operations this year offering service from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm. It is intended to augment the service which primarily serves the seniors and disabled. Fare is $1 one way. The Limited Fixed Route service is a pilot project intended to serve the other segments of the Maricopa population with a circulating bus offering service to multiple bus stops in Maricopa. It will deviate up to 1/4 mile for individuals who call in and ask for this special service due to their inability to get to a bus stop. It operates from 7-9 am and 3-5 pm Monday - Friday. This service began operations in May 2015. We launched this service with a conservative approach primarily due to considerations of sustainability. Maricopa has experienced two failed transit services in its short history since incorporation. The Original Maricopa Express was discontinued due to high cost and low ridership. This created negative community sentiment toward transit. The fixed route which followed was also discontinued for low ridership in 2011. The combination of these two faile...
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