Agenda - Council Work Session - 06/01/2010

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Topic Report: Increasing Ridership on the Ramsey Star Express By: Jessica L. Hendricks, Management Intern j eit) of .~.I RAMSEY Lf ..- Background: At the January 12, 2010 Work Session, options for the Ramsey Star Express were presented. At that time, Council discussed the continuation of the bus service through September 30, 2010. As a part of that discussion Council spoke of the need to grow the current ridership from its present average of250 riders per day. Staff was also asked to survey the current riders as to their satisfaction with the Ramsey Star Express. A copy of the proposed survey has been attached for Council review. Discussion: Staffhas created an ad aimed at increasing the numbers of Ramsey Star Express Riders. A mock-up of the ad is attached for Council review. The ad is directed towards both current rail riders and traditional commuters. Staff has also assembled the attached spreadsheet which details the cost of advertising in local papers. This spreadsheet includes the cost for display ads in six (6) local newspapers, as well as the newsletters of Elk River and Anoka. Funding Source: Funding for the Ramsey Star Express is allocated from the Landfill Trust Fund, advertising monies would be drawn from this fund as well. Current Landfill Trust balance: Bus service to be reimbursed: Net available funding: $3,616,000 (978.000) $2,638,000 Action Statement: Based on discussion. Reviewed by: Director of Public Works/Principal City Engineer D~puty C~ty. Administr~~ty~~ment Director City AdminIstrator: I Attachments: Rider Satisfaction Survey Proposed Ramsey Star Express Ad Spreadsheet of Ad Costs CCWS: 06/01/10