Reso 2015-193 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WEST SAN LEANDRO SHUTTLE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT FY 2015-16 2 | P a g e BID Renewal In December 2014, the Business Improvement District was re-authorized for 15-years and the LINKS service area was expanded. The BID fee was restructured from a base fee per business plus a flat fee per employee, to a single flat fee of $21.00 per employee. The new fee structure was simpler and more equitable for small businesses and the BID was reauthorized with less than 4% protest vote. BID fees are collected through the City’s business license process and the BID funds approximately half of the LINKS service. Service Enhancements The BID renewal process provided an opportunity to consider service improvements. After outreach to businesses and in-depth work with transportation experts, the LINKS route was divided into two loops and expanded. The updated service started in March 2015. The new north and south loops provide more frequent service with shorter wait times, shorter round-trip rides and connections to businesses that previously could not access LINKS. During this period, the San Leandro Transportation Management Organization (SLTMO) implemented other improvements including updated LINKS branding, new signage, brochure and new website. In addition to making LINKS more efficient and accessible, participation in the BID also helps businesses comply with the new BAAQMD Commuter Benefits program. In 2014, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) implemented a new Commuter Benefits Program that requires all employers with 50 or more full-time employees to provide commuter benefits to their employees. To comply with the Program, employers must select one (or more) of four commuter benefit options and register with BAAQMD. Participation in the LINKS BID satisfies Option 3 (“Employer Provided Transit”) under the new requirements, allowing businesses to save time and money. Current LINKS Operation The updated LINKS shuttle service provides free shuttle transportation from the Downtown San Leandro main BART station to the industrial area west of I-880 and Marina Blvd., a major employment center of the City and the region. LINKS continues to operate Monday – Friday during peak commute hours (5:45 – 9:45 am and 3:00 – 7:00 pm). Two shuttle buses were added to the service resulting in a total of four buses, two on each loop. The new north and south loops shorten headways to 15-20 minutes, provide more frequent service and reduce the round trip to about 30 minutes. LINKS provides “first and last mile” connection between transit and employers in West San Leandro, serving major employers including Coca Cola Bottling Company, Federal Express, Walmart, Costco, as well as small employers. There are over 600 employers and almost 17,000 employees in the LINKS service area. LINKS also provides transportation to commercial nodes and the Davis Street Family Resource Center which service 10,000 low-income people each year. LINKS Shuttle Ridership The updated LINKS service started in mid - March 2015. Ridership for the “old” LINKS service (July – March), averaged 14,435 rides per month with an average of 674 rides per day.