SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a funding agreement between the City of Clearwater and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) to provide enhanced Jolley Trolley service during Spring Break, for period February 19, 2018 through April 29, 2018, with the City contributing a lump sum not to exceed $65,000; and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
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SUMMARY:
Alternatives for traveling to Clearwater Beach during the Spring Break season are critical to the economic vitality of Clearwater and our tourism industry. The City and PSTA propose utilizing the Harborview Center and City Hall parking lots as park and ride lots for the 70-day period commencing February 19, 2018 through April 29, 2018. City Hall parking meters will be suspended during this period. Users will have the option of taking the Clearwater Ferry Taxi Service or the Trolley service to and from the Beach instead of driving. Trolley service will be provided free to Clearwater Beach visitors.
PSTA currently provides several routes between Downtown and Clearwater Beach, as well as north and south along the Beach. PSTA operates the Suncoast Beach Trolley which runs from Downtown Clearwater south to St. Pete Beach, and has an agreement with the Jolley Trolley to operate a Beach circulator (North and South Beach routes) and the Coastal Route connecting to Tarpon Springs. PSTA has developed a service plan that will increase the number of vehicles that will serve the Beach during the Spring Break season
The proposed agreement sets forth the City’s commitment to contribute a lump sum not to exceed $65,000 towards PSTA’s additional financial obligations, including PSTA’s agreement with the Jolley Trolley to provide enhanced service on its Beach circulator routes during the Spring Break season.
Trolley services this season will be provided free of charge and riders who board at the two designated free Downtown parking lots will be provided a complimentary day-pass for their trip to the Beach. This complimentary day pass may be used all day - on and off the Beach. Riders will have significantly shorter wait times this season with a change in the service pulsing, as service headway is scheduled to be at 15-minute intervals (i.e., 4 vehicles per hour) at the City Hall lot, and every 10-15 minutes at the Harborview Center with 5 vehicles per hour. The free park and ride service is planned to start at 9:00 AM and end at the regular close of service (approximately 10:00 PM Sunday-Thursday and 12:00 AM Friday/Saturday). The City and PSTA have developed a marketing plan that includes a media campaign and promotional components. Directional signs for park and ride locations and variable sign massages will also be deployed. Coordination with, and information about, other transportation alternatives such as the Clearwater Ferry will be included in the materials developed.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment will increase cost code 435-01333-581000, Payment to Agencies, by $65,000 to fund this contract. This increase will be funded with available Parking fund operating revenues.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A