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RESOLUTION AMENDING IMPLEMENTING ORDER NO. 4-133 RELATED TO THE SCHEDULE OF TRANSIT FARES, RATES, AND CHARGES BY PROVIDING FOR A REDUCED FARE FOR EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS WHO MAKE BETWEEN 150 PERCENT AND 200 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL AS DEFINED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 160502]

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WHEREAS, the Chairman�s Council for Prosperity Initiatives (CPI) is focused on policies to ease the economic hardships of working families in Miami-Dade County by reducing the costs of transportation and housing, while increasing gainful employment opportunities for the working poor; and
WHEREAS, a representative of King County Transit made a presentation to the CPI on November 30, 2015 about the successful implementation of a low-income reduced fare program in the metropolitan Seattle region; and
WHEREAS, the American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that the annual cost in 2015 to own and operate a vehicle was $8,698.00 in the United States; and
WHEREAS, AAA estimates that the costs for drivers who commute using a private vehicle is 58 cents for each mile driven; and
WHEREAS, the monthly cost for purchasing gasoline, especially during periods of relatively inexpensive fuel, may cause consumers to wrongfully conclude private vehicle transportation is less costly than a monthly transit pass; and
WHEREAS, a monthly transit pass from Miami-Dade Transit, without parking, costs an individual $112.50; and
WHEREAS, by providing a 50 percent discount in transit rates for commuters who are earning >>between 150 percent and<<1 [[less than]] 200 percent of the federal poverty level, the economic choice between transit service and private vehicle transportation becomes more apparent; and
WHEREAS, the 2016 federal poverty guidelines reflect that an individual earning $23,760.00 annually would be considered at 200 percent of the federal poverty level; and
WHEREAS, there are numerous federal and state agencies that rely on the federal poverty guidelines, such as the Florida Department of Children and Families, whose staff could simultaneously enroll qualified individuals in the reduced transit fare program; and
WHEREAS, reducing transit fares for those individuals making >>between 150 percent and<< 200 percent [[or less]] of the federal poverty level would assist the working poor in getting to and from places of employment; and
WHEREAS, reducing transit fares will likely attract new riders interested in saving money on their daily commute to and from work; and
WHEREAS, an increase in transit usage would result in a reduction of road congestion and pollution,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board hereby approves the amendment of Miami-Dade County Implementing Order No. 4-133, Schedule of Transit Fares, Rates, and Charges, to go into effect on July 1, 2016 in substantially the form attached hereto and incorporated herein.

1 Committee amendments are indicated as follows: Words double stricken through and/or [[double bracketed]] are deleted, words double underscored and/or >>double arrowed<< are added.