Act 2014 Low Income Fare Program

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2. Building equity and opportunity
Confronting climate change
Best-run government
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4. Goal 2:
Human potential
Provide equitable opportunities for people from all areas of King County to access the public transportation system.
Strategy 2.1.2:
Provide travel opportunities for historically disadvantaged populations, such as low-income people, students, youth, seniors, people of color, people with disabilities, and others with limited transportation options
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Program Goal
Implement a program to make a reduced transit fare option accessible to all eligible individuals for use in King County.

6. Cards will look the same as other ORCA cards
No card fee will be charged for a new/renewal card or renewal
Low-income fare card type will expire 24 months after card issue date
A single card per eligible individual
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7. Technical Issues:
Modify existing ORCA technology and develop a new database
Verification of Eligibility/Registration/Distribution:
Define program operations and procedures; who to work with; and measures to protect program integrity.
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Outreach/Marketing:
•Define how to reach potentially huge multi cultural, multi lingual eligible customer base Program Integrity/Budget/Schedule:
•Minimize ongoing administration costs,
•Maintains program integrity
•Manage potential risks

9. Technical Issues
Modify existing smart card system
Develop master database for card management use by partners
Identify the Partners and what we need them to do
 How will it work?
 What is it called?
 What will you pay?
 How open will it be?
Can you really make the deadline?
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10. Low-Income Fare Program Key Dates & Deadlines – 2014/2015
Jan 2014
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan 2015
Feb
Mar
Program Development
Distribution
Testing
January 14th: Fares Ordinance Transmitted-COMPLETE
May 14th: ORCA specifications complete- REVISED
September: Database project complete
November: 2015-2016 Budget adopted
February 18: Council public hearing-DONE
June 1: Implementation Plan to Council-IN PROGRESS
September 14th: ORCA upgrade complete
February 4: Council BFM Committee considers fare ordinance-COMPLETE
January 2015: Card distribution begins
March 1: Low-income fare goes live
September: Agreements with social service agencies in place
August 1: Fares report due to Council
March: Social Service Agency/DCHS/DPH meetings- ONGOING
February: Decision on database project delayed to May-DECISION MADE-DEVELOPMENT UNDERWAY
April: Develop Low Income Fare FAQs-ONGOING
October- January: Promotion & outreach to customers
August 15: Task Force review due to Council

11. Tremendous good will – internal and external – to support the effort
Willingness to help despite already stretched resources
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13. Negotiate a win-win for County agencies
Issue a Request for Proposal
Complete technical work on schedule
Hire staff for internal support (dependent on budget acceptance)
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We must do better to ensure that King County remains a place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed…It is not just an issue of fairness – we are more competitive in the global economy