CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY SIXTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. C/S O-25-103 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Dan Lewis, Nichole Rogers
ORDINANCE
title C/S Amending The Transit System Ordinance Related To The Major Transit Route Network Service Changes To The Transit Route Network (Lewis, Rogers)
body
AMENDING THE TRANSIT SYSTEM ORDINANCE RELATED TO THE MAJOR TRANSIT ROUTE NETWORK SERVICE CHANGES TO THE TRANSIT ROUTE NETWORK.
WHEREAS, public transit provides economic, social, and environmental benefits that help maintain a humane urban environment, through reductions in infrastructure costs, increased job access, mobility for all, reduced emissions, public health improvements, land conservation, and reduced traffic congestion; and
WHEREAS, municipalities with transit agencies have codified a variety of legislative processes for approving major transit route network service changes; and
WHEREAS, the requirements of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular 4702.1B implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.), require recipients of FTA funding to conduct a Service Equity Analysis for major transit route network service changes and obtain the approval for the analysis from the recipient’s governing body; and
WHEREAS, the Transit Department, through the adoption of ABQ RIDE’s Title VI program policy, currently defines a “major service change” as a change that increases or decreases service revenue hours on a route by 35% or more or that adds or eliminates service to 35% or more of the bus stops on a route; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has the authority to enact legislation approving major transit route network service changes, as was done in February 2000 through the enactment of R-00-27, which approved a transit service expansion plan that added routes and route segments in areas of Albuquerque with high concentrations of transit dependent residents.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
SECTION 1. The Transit System Ordinance, § 7-2-1-1 DEFINITIONS is amended to insert the following definitions in alphabetical order:
“MAJOR SERVICE CHANGE. A change that increases or decreases service revenue hours on a route or that adds or eliminates service to bus stops on a route by a percentage specified in the ABQ RIDE Title VI policy program; and
TRANSIT ROUTE NETWORK. A system of routes for public transportation, such as buses and trains, designed to provide a spatial representation of how vehicles travel and where passengers can board or alight. These networks are defined by their routes, which follow specific paths with designated stops and are often accompanied by schedules, fares, and headway information. The design and quality of the network are crucial for regional connectivity, supporting access to jobs, education, and other amenities.”
SECTION 2. A new Part 3 TRANSIT ROUTE NETWORK is added to the Transit System Ordinance as follows:
PART 3. TRANSIT ROUTE NETWORK
§ 7-2-3-1 TRANSIT ROUTE NETWORK AND ROUTE ADOPTION.
(A) A Major Service Change shall be implemented following the submission and approval of a Resolution proposing a Transit Route Network Plan. The Transit Route Network shall include a Service Equity Analysis. The title and the resolve section of the Resolution shall state the legislation is for approval of both a Major Service Change and a Service Equity Analysis.
(B) A Major Service Change that is submitted to Council for approval shall include the following information:
(1) Consistency with the goals and objectives of the Albuquerque Comprehensive Plan and the Mid-Region Council of Governments long-range transportation plans;
(2) Identification of funding sources and a cost for implementing the proposed service changes;
(3) Alignment with the Rio Metro Regional Transit District Transit Route Network, if applicable;
(4) Proposed Route maps and proposed frequencies and hours of
service;
(5) Confirmation the transit route network is supported by fleet size, existing transit facilities, and staffing;
(6) Narrative on how the Transit Department is best meeting ridership demand, given the Department’s resources available;
(7) The transit route network considers connectivity to essential services including medical facilities, government offices, schools, and major job centers;
(8) Justification and other rationale for all route changes;
(9) Includes post implementation indicators to measure whether the transit route network fulfills the above stated standards; and
(10) Other Information the Transit Department considers important for implementation of the plan.
(C) The Council by Resolution may require the Transit Department to prepare a Major Service Change or individual route change(s). The Resolution requesting the change(s) shall include findings as to the reason for the change(s), including the intended result. The Transit Department shall submit the requested change(s), as required in § 7-2-3-1.
SECTION 3. SEVERABILITY. If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, word or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Ordinance. The Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each section, paragraph, sentence, clause, word or phrase thereof irrespective of any provision being declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid.
SECTION 4. COMPILATION. SECTION 1 of this Ordinance amends is incorporated in and is to be compiled as part of the Revised Ordinances of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1994. SECTION 2 of this Ordinance is to be compiled as a new Part 3 in Chapter 7, Article 2 of the Revised Ordinances of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1994, titled “Transit Route Network.”
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance takes effect five days after publication by title and general summary.
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