START board delays $1 START On-Demand fare until new Downtowner contract

The START Board discussed implementing a $1 fare for START On-Demand as part of its FY27 budget update on April 15, but staff said the system is not yet set up to collect fares under the current Downtowner contract.

According to staff’s presentation, START would need to amend its scope of work and contract with Downtowner (which currently states the contractor will not collect fare), adopt a fare collection policy/SOP, and hold a public hearing with at least 15 days’ notice before any fare change can take effect. Staff said Downtowner is amenable to collecting fares and that collecting the fare would not add cost, but that the earliest a contract amendment could return to the board would be May or June with only about six months left on the current agreement.

Staff recommended waiting to implement any On-Demand fare change until a new contract is in place, and asked the board to clarify whether any trip types (such as trips to Albertsons or the library) should be excluded from the $1 fare and when the board wants to schedule the required public hearing. The FY27 budget materials include $120,000 in “On Demand Fares” revenue. Sources: START Board Meeting Agenda Packet.