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UC San Diego Triton U-Pass

Associated Students – November 20, 2024

Referendum Update

Student Transportation

Advisory Committee

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A brief history

  • Created by students in 2014
    • Students established STAC (Student Transportation Advisory Committee) to provide oversight of U-Pass fee and program
  • Fee and program reauthorized in 2018 with overwhelming support
  • Current fee authority expires June 2025 unless reauthorized by students

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Triton U-Pass Stats

  • 98% of students use the Triton U-Pass to…
      • Get to campus/school
      • Get to work
      • Get around San Diego
  • Saves the typical student 65% vs. purchasing passes directly
  • Emphasizes equity and collective benefit with socialization of costs and return to aid
  • Provided over 29.5 Million rides since launched in 2014

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Referendum Status and Update

U-Pass Working Group

    • Formed when STAC went on hiatus for summer and work needed to continue.
    • STAC members and AS/GPSA presidents were invited to participate.
    • Students representing Basic Needs were added, along with sustainability and transportation-oriented student orgs.
    • Priorities for U-Pass improvement were identified by the working group and incorporated into the referendum language and fee modeling.
    • $75 target fee, inclusive of updates, vs. $69.57 currently

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Proposed Scope

Financial Aid:

  • Consistent with the existing fee, 29% of proceeds will be directed to financial aid to offset impact of fees for high-need students.

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Proposed Scope

MTS:

    • Existing frequency and hours improvements that were scheduled to sunset in June will be preserved.
    • NEW: Summers free for continuing students and new grads

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NCTD:

    • Existing Sprinter and Breeze service
    • NEW: All NCTD+, FLEX, and COASTER service included
    • NEW: Summers free for continuing students and new grads

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Proposed Scope

NEW: Funds for STAC to innovate and try new things that prioritize students’ highest mobility priorities (~$125k in year one)

    • Transportation Equity and Inclusion solutions (25%)
    • Transportation Safety & Security solutions (25%)
    • Student-centered Parking Program improvements (25%)
    • Solutions that address emerging student needs and/or leverage emerging technologies/solutions (25%)

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Proposed Scope

NEW: Funding to improve existing student transportation programs

    • Closes the funding gap for Triton Mobility (~$250k in year one)
    • Fund Grocery Shuttle service (no more annual funding requests to AS and Basic Needs, ~$250k in year one)
    • Expanded late-evening On-Demand service (cart rides to get around campus safely until 2am weekdays, ~$50k in year one)

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Proposed Scope

NEW: Support for Triton Transit Electrification/Operations

  • Residual funds (after contracts and program obligations) will help electrify busses, allowing Triton Transit to meet sustainability goals while preserving or improving service levels. (~$250k in year one)

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$5.43 increase extends U-PASS and …

  1. Provides summers free for continuing students and new grads
  2. Preserves MTS hours and frequency investments preserved
  3. Provides NCTD+, FLEX, and COASTER service
  4. Provides full and sustainable funding for Triton Mobility
  5. Provides full and sustainable for Grocery Shuttle
  6. Expands late-night On-Demand service (cart rides until 2am weekdays)
  7. Provides support for Triton Transit Electrification/Operations
  8. Provides STAC funding to innovate in four priority areas:
        • Transportation Equity and Inclusion solutions
        • Transportation Safety & Security solutions
        • Student-centered Parking Program improvements
        • Solutions that address emerging student needs and/or leverage emerging technologies/solutions

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Next Steps

  1. Execute agreement with MTS/NCTD, contingent on referendum approval.
  2. AS (12/4) and GPSA (12/2) place referendum on ballot for January special election.
  3. Communicate and educate.
  4. Get out the vote!

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Questions/Discussion

Student Transportation

Advisory Committee

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