Fare Equity Public Hearings

LADOT Proposed Electronic Payment Incentive Fares, Minority Disparate Impact Fare and Low-income Disproportionate Burden Fare Policies

The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation's (LADOT) Transit Division held six public hearings to address the introduction of new Electronic Payment Incentive Fares, as well as LADOT's Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden Fare Policies. The hearings were held from August 12 to August 21, 2014 at six locations throughout Los Angeles. The hearings were in compliance with the requirements of the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration requirements and those of the City of Los Angeles.

LADOT is proposing to introduce several incentive fares for riders of its popular DASH circulator services that operate in 27 neighborhoods throughout the City of Los Angeles, including Downtown Los Angeles. The Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden Fare Policies are supportive of the incentive fares, and also establish criteria for how fares would be raised in the future.

The implementation of the Los Angeles Region's TAP smart card system has enabled LADOT to offer new pricing options to riders that were not available with LADOT's existing passes and tickets. LADOT's demonstration of mobile ticketing, through the use of smart phones, will also support these proposed fare options. That mobile ticketing demonstration, called LA Mobile, will take place in Fall 2014.

LADOT is proposing to reduce its DASH single-ride fare from 50 cents to 35 cents if a rider uses a TAP card to pay the fare. The 30% discount is intended to lure riders to using the TAP card that provides multiple benefits including the ability to protect the card balance from loss or theft. Additionally, when multiple passengers pay their fares using a TAP card, it makes boarding the bus quicker. Through the introduction of the Electronic Payment Incentive Fares, LADOT is seeking to reduce rider use of cash to pay fares. LADOT pays a high price to collect, handle and reconcile cash payments.

The Regular Electronic Payment Incentive Fares and the new 7-Day Rolling Pass will be available on an LADOT TAP smart card. On LA Mobile, the 7-Day pass will be available as well as the Regular Electronic Payment Incentive Fares, but in the form of trip tickets. Senior, Disabled/Medicare, Student, College and Vocational Student fares and passes require an application process to determine eligibility for special TAP cards issued by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). These fare types, requiring eligibility certification, would only be available on specially designated MTA TAP cards.

Riders that pay cash fares pay the highest fares because they receive no discount. LADOT TAP Cards will be available at all public hearings without a card fee when a minimum of $5 stored value is loaded on the card. Participants will also learn about the benefits of registering their TAP card, and get a preview of LADOT's GlobeSherpa powered mobile ticketing application, LA Mobile.

Public Hearing Schedule follows:

West Los Angeles Tuesday, August 12th, 2014 – 6-7pm Henry Medina West LA Parking Enforcement Facility, 2nd Floor 11214 West Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064 South Los Angeles Wednesday, August 13th, 2014 – 6-7pm South Los Angeles Sports Activity Center 7020 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003 Central Los Angeles Tuesday, August 19th, 2014 – Noon – 1pm Caltrans Building, Conference Room 01.040A 100 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Harbor Area Tuesday, August 19th, 2014 – 6-7pm Harbor Commission Board Room, 2nd Floor 425 South Palos Verdes Street, Los Angeles, CA 90731

North and South Valley Wednesday, August 20th, 2014 – 6-7pm Marvin Braude Constituent Center 6262 Van Nuys Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 91401

East Los Angeles Thursday, August 21st, 2014 – 6-7pm Ramona Hall Community Center, Auditorium 4580 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90065

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