6.2. EDSR 12-21-2015
Request for Action
To Item Number
Economic Development Authority 6.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General BusinessDecember 21, 2015Amanda Othoudt, EDD
Item Description Reviewed by
Go To Metro Transit Fare Cards Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Provide direction to staff on the Go To Metro Transit preloaded fare cards.
Background/Discussion
In May of 2010, staff placed an order to Metro Transit to purchase 40 Metro Transit preloaded fare cards
at $10 each. Staff purchased 50 preloaded cards in 2012 and another 50 preloaded cards in 2013. The
idea was that the City of Elk River would be a place for the public to purchase the pre-loaded cards. To
date, we have sold only five passes from 2012-2015, with the last transaction occurring in 2011. Some of
the cards were expected to be used for marketing purposes. Nine of the preloaded cards expired last
month due to inactivity. Staff has sent the inactive passes back to Metro Transit to reinstate the
preloaded fares on the cards at no additional cost to the city. There are a total of 53 cards left over. The
demand for the preloaded cards has dropped significantly due to the convenience of purchasing transit
tickets at the stations themselves.
Representatives at Metro Transit indicated that it is not in their policy to refund the preloaded fare cards,
but under special circumstances, they would consider purchasing the remaining passes back from the city
and issue a refund.
Staff attended the Chamber of Commerce Elk River leadership group last month and it was noted that
commuter rail passes are greatly needed by individuals and families at our local homeless centers and
battered women shelters. Staff could repurpose 44 of the Northstar GoPasses to organizations such as
Open Doors for Youth, Great River Family Promise, and the like.
Staff is looking for direction from the EDA to send the cards back to Metro Transit and request a refund,
or repurpose the cards back into the community.
Financial Impact
If the cards are sent back to Metro Transit for a refund, the EDA would receive a refund of $530. If the
cards are repurposed back into the community, there will be no financial impact.
Attachments
None