Laserfiche WebLink
File Number: 14-384 <br />LINKS comes from grants, the City of San Leandro, and a BID that was formed by businesses <br />within one-quarter mile of the shuttle route. The BID expired this year and must be <br />re-authorized through a ballot of the participating businesses. To ensure no interruptions in <br />the LINKS service, the re-authorization must be completed by the end of 2014. <br />Analysis <br />Opportunity for Service Updates <br />Thirteen years have passed since the original route was created and the timing is right to <br />consider service enhancements during the upcoming BID renewal period. In 2014, several <br />factors led the SLTMO to explore options for enhancing and updating the Service: <br />·New growth and development in West San Leandro: The opening of the Kaiser <br />Permanente Medical Center, and general economic recovery warrant revising LINKS to <br />ensure the service meets current and future needs. <br />·Next Generation Workplace District: Businesses within the industrial area ranked <br />LINKS #1 out of 17 potential implementation initiatives under the Next Generation <br />Workplace District Study, an innovative and ambitious plan to support development of <br />San Leandro’s industrial areas. <br />·Reductions in AC Transit service to West San Leandro: LINKS plays a critical role in <br />filling the transportation gaps left by AC Transit service cuts. <br />·Increasing Transit Ridership: Younger workers are driving less, preferring transit and <br />biking. Successful repositioning of the industrial area requires transportation <br />opportunities that appeal to the next generations of workers. <br />After extensive outreach to businesses and in-depth work with transportation experts, City <br />staff and the SLTMO propose to divide the LINKS route into two distinct loops. The north and <br />south loops will shorten headways to 15 minutes and reduce the round trip to about 30 <br />minutes. The result will be a much quicker trip to and from the BART station. Proposed <br />service enhancements include new service to Marina Boulevard, more frequent service with <br />shorter headways, and reduced time required for a round-trip ride. The SLTMO is also <br />working on other enhancements to assist riders including updated signage, benches and bus <br />shelters and offering Wi-Fi and NextBus access. <br />Re-authorization of the BID will also help businesses in the BID area to comply with new Bay <br />Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) requirements. Beginning in 2014, the new <br />Commuter Benefits Program requires all employers with 50 or more full-time employees to <br />provide commuter benefits to their employees. To comply with the Program, employers must <br />select one of four commuter benefit options and register with BAAQMD. BAAQMD has <br />confirmed that participation in the LINKS shuttle BID satisfies Option 3 (“Employer Provided <br />Transit”) under the new BAAQMD program. Staff believes that the LINKS BID offers these <br />companies an easy, cost-effective option for complying with this new regulation. <br />Proposed BID Assessment <br />The proposed BID assessment has been simplified from past years. The proposed BID is a <br />simple fee of $21 per employee, per year and the current base fee will no longer exist. If <br />approved, the BID will include businesses within one-quarter mile of the proposed LINKS <br />Page 2 City of San Leandro Printed on 9/9/2014