Item 6-H

Council Meeting: October 12, 1999 Santa Monica, California

TO: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Authorize the City Manager to File the Short Range Transit Plan Update and Applications for Funds

In accordance with requirements of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), every three years the City must file a Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) in order to remain eligible for federal and state funding assistance. During the second and third years an SRTP Update is submitted. The SRTP projects the Big Blue Bus' operating expense and capital program requirements, including fleet replacement, facility improvement, equipment modernization and other needs.

The primary purpose of the SRTP Update is to provide budget information and justification to the MTA for its use in making funding allocations for FY 1999-00. Also, the SRTP Update reflects the fixed route service programs budgeted in FY 1999-00, based on the Big Blue Bus Service Improvement Plan Update.

The Big Blue Bus' financial plan utilizes funding estimates based on its share of MTA's projected countywide formula allocation of transit funds for fiscal years 1999-00 through 2001-02. For FY 1999-00, the formula allocation funds planned for operations by the Transportation Department are projected at $15.7 million. In addition, local operating revenues (fares, charter, advertising, interest, lease, special transit services, and Proposition A Local Return revenues) are estimated at $11.1 million.

The FY 1999-00 program includes funding for a $25.9 million capital improvement program which provides for construction of a downtown transit mall, facility improvements, purchase of replacement transit vehicles, bicycle racks, and bus stop amenities.

FY 1999-00 financial projections serve as the basis for preparation of the Transportation Department budget, which was approved by the City Council during the City budget process. Fiscal years beyond 1999-00 will be addressed in the next update to the SRTP, and in future City budgets.

The Short Range Transit Plan is only a planning document and does not obligate the City to any specific levels of funding.

City staff recommends that the City Council:

1) Authorize the City Manager to file the Short Range Transit Plan Update for FY 1999-2002 with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Southern California Association of Governments.

2) Authorize the City Manager to file applications for funds made available by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Prepared by:

John B. Catoe, Jr., Director of Transportation

Stephanie Negriff, Manager of Transit Development

David Feinberg, Senior Transit Programs Analyst

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