TITLE
The Mayor and City Council shall hear and discuss a presentation of the City of Maricopa Express Transit (COMET) proposed mid-cycle budget adjustment, ridership and trends. Discussion Only.
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION
The City Of Maricopa has operated the COMET since 2008. During that time, it has transformed from a commuter route to a temporary fixed route, settling back to Dial-A-Ride service for several years. In 2015, the COMET added limited Route Deviation Service. The focus has been to start small and carefully build the service as ridership demand increases, to ensure sustainability. In 2018, six bus shelters were received and five were installed at high demand bus stops. As part of the proposed budget for the coming federal fiscal year, six more bus shelters will be requested. Receipt of six new bus shelters will complete the existing circular route that services key locations in the core of the city. A new 15-passenger bus was received in late 2018 and is dedicated to the Route Deviation Service.
Effective March 25, 2018, Route Deviation Service was increased to 10.5 hours of continuous service each day, Monday through Friday. The increase is fully funded for the remainder of the federal fiscal year due to careful planning and intentional delay in starting increased service. The increased hours, combined with a new stop, will encourage development of a highly desired multifamily housing development in Maricopa. Statistically, populations that live in multifamily housing have a high propensity to use transit. The new hours of operation are 7 am - 5:30 pm. Services will also be re-named in the near future to make it easier for the public to recognize the service they want to use.
The proposed budget (considered a mid-cycle adjustment to the two year 5311 budget) will be presented at the April 16, 2019 Regular Meeting, for consideration by the Mayor and Council. Approval for the proposed 5311 budget will be requested at the May 7, 2019 R...
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