HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.A.2. Revised Transit PoliciesCITY OF SHAKOPEE
Memorandum
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: R. Michael Leek, Community Development Director
RE: Revised Transit Policies
DATE: February 1, 2011
INTRODUCTION:
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Offer and pass a motion approving the revised transit policies.
2. Do not approve the revised transit policies, and provide staff with direction regarding potential
changes.
TAC RECOMMENDATION:
The TAC recommends the policies as presented
RELATIONSHIP TO CITY GOALS:
The transit policies, and the provision of transit services, relates to Goal B, Positively manage the
challenges and opportunities presented by growth, development and change
ACTION REQUESTED:
Offer and pass a motion approving the revised transit policies.
R. ichael Leek
Community Development Director
5 ft L
The City Council is asked to ratify the revised transit policies developed by the Transit Advisory
Committee (TAC). The policies had not been reviewed or amended for several years, and the TAC and
staff worked to update them to include the newer circulator and express services and delete references to
the dial -a -ride service (now provided by Scott County).
CC /0921_2010 /transit policies 1
s.A.a.
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CITY OF SHAKOPEE/
SHAKOPEE TRANSIT POLICIES
(BlueXpress, 496 /Circulator and Van Pool
Services)
September 10, 1998
CITY OF SHAKOPEE /SHAKOPEE TRANSIT POLICIES
BlueXpress, Circulator, Shuttle, and Van Pools
Policy Policy Title Adopted Effective Amended
No.
1 General Guidelines for Transit Ridership 8/22/84 9/1/84 N/A
2 Van Pools Picking Up Out of Town 8/22/84 9/1/84 N/A
Residents Enroute
3 Non - Residents Connecting Within City Limits 8/22/84 9/1/84 N/A
to Board a Van Pool
4 Occasional Rider Van Pool 8/22/84 9/1/84 N/A
5 Problem Riders on a Van Pool 8/22/84 9/1/84 N/A
6 Minimum Van Pool Ridership (Excluding 9/27/84 10/1/84 N/A
Flex Pool)
7 Discounting Fares for Back -Up Drivers 9/ L84 10/1/84 N/A
8 Flex Pool Rider Priority 4912104 10/1/84 N/A
9 Maximum Load Capacity 9/27/84, 10/1/84 N/A
10 Subsidization for Vans that Fall Below the ag. 9/27/84s 10/1/84 N/A
Minimum Passenger Level "q1
11 Additional Driver Mileage 9/27/84 't0/1/84 12/3/91;
1/1/92
12 Occasional Driver Mileage 9/27/84 10/1/84. N/A
13 Van Pool Holidays . �;, 9/27/84 10/1/84* 12/13/84;
ypF
1/9/85
14 Transfers ' "; 9/27/84 10/1/84 N/A
15 Reimbursement for Car Pool — . sfs . s 9/27/84 10/1/84 12/3/91;
- 1/1/92
16 Van Pool Back -Up Vehicle ,, , 0/25/84 10/29/84 12/13/84;
1/9/85;
%ifp, , ,n,, ,,, ,,,-$:,,, 5/12/88;
' <.•y 6/1/88
17 Bad Weather Cancellations 10/25/84 10/29/84 1/9/85;
,
a.t
6/1/88
1,1 �" -
18 an Pool Fare Structure 9/6/88 9/7/88 8/6/91;
.'- 9/1/91
19 ReverseVan Pools VA 12/20/88 12/21/88 N/A
20 LicensirigRequireme�,ttsr: for Van Pool Drivers 1/2/90 1/2/90 N/A
& Back Up Lrivers A'
21 Late Submittals oA1%an Pool Driver Reporting 3/1/93 3/17/93 2/7/95
Sheets 11/16/94 2/7/95
22 9 Passenger Van Drivers 5/18/94 7/11/95 N/A
23 Drivers to Collect Fares Prior to Submitting 7/21/93 7/21/93 N/A
Monthly Reports _
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Policy Number 1
Adopted: 8/22/84; rev.
Effective: 9/1/84;
Amended:
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR TRANSIT RIDERSHIP
1. Timeliness - Be on time for your pick -up. Transit vehicles cannot wait for passengers.
' 2. Smoking - Smoking is not allowed in the transit vehicles.
3. Cleanliness - Clean Up after yourself.
4. Courtesy - Be courteous and respectful to other riders and drivers at all times.
5. Cell Phones — As a courtesy to other riders, please set cell phones to vibrate or to ring
quietly. Please limit the length of your calls, and keep your voice as low as possible,
6. Conversations — When talking with other riders on the bus, please keep your voice low so
as to avoid disturbing other passengers.
7. Carry - on Items /Packages — Please store all carry -on items in provided storage areas, on the
floor by your feet, or hold them. Carry -on items should not be stored in aisles, and drivers
can refuse service to riders whose carry -on items may pose a hazard to or inconvenience for
other riders.
8. Boarding — If boarding a bus with several other riders, please form an orderly line that does
not block vehicle access.
9. Bus Exiting — If there are standing passengers on a bus, they should exit first, followed by
seated passengers from the front of the to the back of the bus.
10. Waiting at Park and Ride lots — If waiting in your car at a park and ride lot, please turn off
your vehicle's headlights as they can be blinding to other riders in the lot.
11. Beverages on Buses — Please transport your beverage in a sturdy container with a secure lid.
Continual violation of any of these rules shall be sufficient cause for
denying the offender access to the Shakopee Transit Services. [Discuss
whether this is an appropriate remedy, and what, if any, limitations should
be placed on it]
Policy Number 2
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Adopted: 8/22/84
Effective: 9/1/84
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Amended:
VAN POOLS PICKING UP OUT OF TOWN RESIDENTS EN ROUTE
Shakopee Transit van pools may pick -up out of town residents en route if space is
availables. These riders shall be treated as Shakopee residents and charged the normal fares.( ?,
should there be an increase for non - residents) Shakopee residents shall receive seating priority
over out- of-town residents when a van pool route is created.
Policy Number 3
Adopted: 8/22/84
Effective: 9/1/84
Amended: N/A
NON- RESIDENTS CONNECTING WITHIN CITY LIMITS TO BOARD A VAN POOL
Non Shakopee residents driving to Shakopee to board a van pool shall receive the same
privileges as Shakopee residents.
Adopted: 8/22/84
Effective: 9/1/84
Amended:
OCCASIONAL RIDER/FLEX VAN POOL
At least one (1) van shall be allowed to run at half capacity along a route that terminates
in Downtown Minneapolis. These vehicles shall leave at staged a.m. (morning) times and return
at staged p.m. (evening) times. This program shall be known as Flex - Pool. Occasional riders
shall pay a $2.00 fare per trip to help off -set the costs of empty seats.
Policy Number 5
Adopted: 8/22/84
Effective: 9/1/84
Amended: 09/09/98
Effective: 09/09/98
Amended:
PROBLEM RIDERS ON A VAN POOL
Van pool drivers shall be primarily responsible for handling problems with van pool
riders. If the driver's s efforts are not successful, he /she should then contact the City staff person
responsible for transit administration. That staff person should be used by the driver and riders
as a last resort effort. Upon receiving a complaint City staffwill investigate the problem and
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take the appropriate action. Decisions by City staff may be appealed to the Transit Advisory
Commission, and ultimately the Shakopee City Council.
Policy Number 6
Adopted: 9/27/84
Effective: 10/1/84
Amended: N/A
MINIMUM VAN POOL RIDERSHIP
(excluding Flex Pool)
A new van pool group shall not become operational until a minimum ridership of nine (9) regular
passengers on a twelve (12) passenger van can be attained.
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Policy Number 7
Adopted: 9/27/84
Effective: 10/1/84
Amended: N/A
FARES FOR PRIMARY AND BACK -UP DRIVERS
Regular Van Pool drivers shall not be charged a fare. Van Pool back -up drivers shall
receive a 25% reduction off the normal fare regardless of how often they drive. This policy shall
apply to a maximum of two (2) back -up drivers per van.
Policy Number 8
Adopted: 9/27/84
Effective: 10/1/84
Amended:
FLEX VAN POOL RIDER PRIORITY
Due to the limited number of vacant seats available on a flex van pool, the following
rider priority schedule shall be used in determining who may board a flex pool.
Priority:
1. People who rode the flex -pool in the morning.
2. People who made an advanced reservation for a ride home.
3. People who want to switch from a regular Shakopee Van Pool to ride the Flex Pool.
Policy Number 9
Adopted: 9/27/84
Effective: 10/1/84
Amended:
MAXIMUM LOAD CAPACITY
No van in the Shakopee Van Pool program shall carry more passengers than its
stated/rated seating capacity.
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Policy Number 10
Adopted: 9/27/84
Effective: 10/1/84
Amended: N/A
SUBSIDIZATION FOR VANS THAT FALL BELOW
THE MINIMUM PASSENGER LEVEL
Policy No. 6 established a minimum Van Pool ridership of nine (9) passengers for a
twelve (12) passenger vehicle.
In the event a van pool falls below the a ridership level of nine (9) in a twelve (12)
passenger van or twelve (12) in a fifteen (15) passenger van, the City will subsidize the empty
seats for thirty (30) days. After thirty (30) days, the van pool riders have the option of picking
up the additional costs for the empty seats below the established minimum ridership level or they
may choose to disband.
Policy Number 11
Adopted: 9/27/84
Effective: 10/1/84
Amended: 12/3/91
Effective: 1/1/92
ADDITIONAL DRIVER MILEAGE
Principal Van Pool drivers shall receive 150 miles of free van use. This includes free gas
and free maintenance during the 150 miles. Excess driver miles shall be charged to the driver at
fixed costs of $.325 /mile plus any additional costs added by Van Pool Services Inc.
Policy Number 12
Adopted: 9/27/84
Effective: 10/1/84
OCCASIONAL DRIVER MILEAGE
An Occasional Rider shall be defined as anyone who does not pay by the week or month.
These occasional riders shall pay the fare of $2.00 per passenger trip whether they ride a flex
pool or regular van pool.
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Policy Number 13
Adopted: 9/27/84
Effective: 10/1/84
Amended: 12/13/84
Effective: 1/9/85
VAN POOL HOLIDAYS
The following days shall be official van pool holidays: New Year's Day; Memorial Day;
Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day. Van Pools will not
operate on these days.
During holiday weeks or months there shall be a reduction in weekly or monthly fares for
van pool riders equivalent to $3.00 per holiday.
Van Pool drivers and back -up drivers are expected to make every effort to coordinate
days off so as not to leave the van pool group without a driver. In the event that a driver is not
going to be available for the van pool group, the van pool driver should contact the transit
coordinator at least two (2) weeks in advance of the schedule driver shortage.
If the van pool passengers cannot be placed in other van pools they should utilize their
carpooling plan. Carpool drivers will be reimbursed in accordance with Policy No. 15.
Policy Number 14
Adopted: 9/27/84
Effective: 10/1/84
Amended: N/A
TRANSFERS
Individuals who need to transfer to an MTC bus shall be credited for their costs to
transfer. The van pool drivers shall deduct the costs for transferring - upon proof of transfer -
from the normal passenger fare.
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Policy Number 15 -
Adopted: 9/27/84 Amended: 9/4/98
Effective: 10/1/84 Effective: 914/98
Amended: 12/3/91
Effective 1/1/92
REIMBURSEMENT FOR CAR POOL COSTS
In the event that van pool passengers are forced to car pool, the car pool drivers shall be
paid $.325 /mile plus parking reimbursements upon submission of receipts, to be paid by the van
pool driver out of the van pool revenues. If there are no van pool revenues, the driver should
submit the car pool reimbursement forms to the City of Shakopee.
Policy Number 16
Adopted: 10/25/84 Amended: 5/12/88
Effective: 10 /29/84 Effective: 6/1/88
Amended: 12 /13/84
Effective: 1/9/85
VAN POOL BACK -UP VEHICLE
The Contractor shall provide one 12 or 15 passenger vehicle to the City which shall be
used as a back -up to the Van Pool Program.
In the event a van pool vehicle breaks down while in commuter service, the driver will
use his/her best judgment in ensuring that the van pool passengers arrive at their destination in a
safe and timely manner.
The back -up vehicle shall also be available to van pool groups when their vehicle is out
of service for a day or more and in the event their van fails to start in the morning.
Each van pool group shall use carpooling as a contingency plan in the event the back -up
vehicle is not available.
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Policy Number 17
Adopted: 10/25/84 Amended: 05/12/88
Effective: 10/29/84 Effective: 06/01/88
Amended: 12/13/84
Effective: 01/09/85
Amended:
BAD WEATHER CANCELLATIONS
On days when hazardous driving conditions are apparent, it shall be the responsibility of
the van pool driver to determine whether or not the van pool will proceed on its daily route.
When the driver decides the conditions are too hazardous to warrant driving, he /she shall be
responsible for contacting all the regular riders in his/her van pool. On days when van pool
routes are canceled due to inclement weather there shall be a fare reduction for the riders in the
affected vans.
In the event of inclement weather the van pool driver may determine at his/her own
discretion whether starting later in the morning might be appropriate. If the van pool driver
should pursue this option he /she is responsible for contacting the members of his/her van pool
group. Conversely, a van pool driver may determine at his/her discretion if it's appropriate to
make the return trip to Shakopee prior to the normally scheduled time. If this option is pursued
the van pool driver would once again be responsible for contacting the members of his/her van
pool group.
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Policy Number 18
Adopted: 9/6/88 Amended: 9/8/98
Effective: 9/7/88 Effective: 9/8/98
Amended: 8/6/91
Effective: 9/1/91
Amended:
VAN POOL FARE STRUCTURE
The rate structure is as follows: $52.00 /month; $15.00 /week; and $4.00 /day, or
$2.00 /each way.
Van pool drivers are not responsible for paying weekly or monthly fees. Van Pool
drivers are also entitled to 150 miles per month of free personal use (including free gas).
Mileage in excess of 150 miles per month will be charged to the driver at a rate of $.325 per
mile.
Policy Number 19
Adopted: 12/20/88
Effective: 12/21/88
Amended:
REVERSE VAN POOLS
The City of Shakopee will offer reverse van pool capabilities to persons whose work
destination is within the Shakopee City limits. The reverse van pool program shall adhere to the
City of Shakopee's Transit Policies.
The origination points of reverse van pools initiated through the City of Shakopee's Van
Pool Program shall be limited to areas located within the Regional Transit Taxing District.
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Policy Number 20
Adopted: 1/2/90
Effective: 1/2/90
Amended: 10/09/90
Amended:
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR VAN POOL DRIVERS AND BACK -UP DRIVERS
All regular Van Pool drivers and back -up drivers participating in the City's Van Pool
Program shall acquire and maintain a Class B driver's license. Each Van Pool group may
designate one person to serve as the emergency back -up driver. The emergency back -up driver
must have a valid Class C Minnesota driver's license certification. The emergency back -up
driver shall receive a free ride on those days when he /she is operating the Van Pool vehicle in the
capacity as an emergency back -up driver.
Policy Number 21
Adopted:
Effective: 3/10/92
Amended:
DIAL -A -RIDE MINIMUM RIDERSHIP AGE
The City of Shakopee shall not allow for the transport of children under the age nine (9)
years old who are unaccompanied by an adult unless the destination point of said ride is an
approved certified designated shelter or the origination point of said trip. To be qualified as an
approved certified designated shelter, said shelter must file a copy of their State and/or County
operating license with the City of Shakopee. No child under age 7 shall be transported unless
accompanied by an adult possessing a state approved child safety seat.
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Policy Number 22*
* Amendment No. 1
Adopted: 3/1/93 Adopted: 11/16/94
Effective: 3/17/93 Effective: 2/7/95
Amended: 2/7/95
LATE SUBMITTALS OF VAN POOL DRIVER REPORTING SHEETS
1. All monthly Van Pool Driver Reporting Sheets must be submitted to the City of
Shakopee by the 15th day of the following month.
2. If Van Pool Drivers are having difficulties submitting the monthly Van Pool Driver
Reporting Sheets to the City by their due date, they should negotiate with one of their
Van Pool Back -Up Drivers or riders to complete their monthly reports for them.
However, the designated Van Pool Driver shall remain accountable for the submittal of
their Monthly Reports to the City of Shakopee by their monthly due dates.
3. If a monthly Van Pool Driver Reporting Sheet is submitted late within a one year time
frame and without a valid reason, the Van Pool Driver must pay twenty -five percent
(25 %) of the regular Monthly Subscriber Fare for that month to the City.
4. If a monthly Van Pool Driver Reporting Sheet is submitted late twice within a one year
time frame and without valid reasons, the Van Pool Driver must pay fifty percent (50 %)
of the regular Monthly Subscriber Fare for that month to the City.
5. If a monthly Van Pool Driver Reporting Sheet is submitted late three times within a one
year time frame and without valid reasons, the following will occur:
a) The Van Pool Driver must pay one hundred percent (100 %) of the regular
Monthly Subscriber Fare for that month to the City;
b) City staff shall notify the riders of the Van Pool that, due to late submittals of the
Van Pool Driver Reporting Sheets, their Van Pool Driver is in jeopardy of being
terminated.
6. If a monthly Van Pool Driver Reporting Sheet is submitted late four times within a one
year time frame and without valid reasons, the following shall occur:
a) The Van Pool Driver must discontinue driving the Van Pool;
b) City staff shall notify the riders of the Van Pool that, due to late submittals of the
Van Pool Driver Reporting Sheets, their Van Pool will be terminated unless
another driver can be found, or a rider volunteers to become the new driver.
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Policy Number 23
Adopted: 5/18/94
Effective: 7/11/95
Amended: N/A
9 PASSENGER VAN DRIVERS
DRIVER FARES: Drivers of 9 passenger vans are not responsible for paying the regular
rider fare. Drivers are also entitled to 150 miles per month of free
personal use (including free gas). Mileage in excess of 150 miles per
month is charged to the driver at the most recently adopted rate.
BACK - UP DRIVERS: Back -Up drivers for 9 passenger vans shall receive a 25% reduction off
the normal fare, regardless of how often they drive. This policy applies to
a maximum of two (2) back -up drivers per van.
MINIMUM RIDERS: A new Van Pool opting to utilize a 9 passenger van shall not become
operational until a minimum ridership of six (6) regular passengers on a
nine (9) passenger van can be attained.
Policy Number 24
Adopted: 7/21/93
Effective: 7/21/93
Amended: N/A
DRIVERS TO COLLECT FARES PRIOR TO SUBMITTING MONTHLY REPORTS
Shakopee Area Transit Van Pool Drivers shall collect their fares from their riders prior to
submitting their Monthly Reports to the City on the 15th day of the month following the service.
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Last Update: 9/8/98
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