At its May 9 Budget Study Session, the Foster City City Council directed staff to prepare the annual City budget to include funding for the Red Line and Blue Line Connections Shuttle programs for July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. It further directed that a $1 per ride fare be implemented on the system. The fare is intended as a pilot program to allow the City to recover some costs of providing this service. The effect of a fare on ridership will also be monitored throughout the year.

Beginning July 1, shuttle riders must purchase punchcards or monthly passes prior to boarding the bus. Punchcards will cost $5 and are valid for five one-way rides; monthly passes will cost $25 and are good for one calendar month. Both will be available for sale at City Hall (610 Foster City Boulevard), the Foster City Recreation Center (650 Shell Boulevard) and the Foster City Chamber of Commerce Office (1031 East Hillsdale Boulevard, Suite F) on weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM beginning June 20, 2011. Other vending locations will be announced as they are confirmed.

The Shuttles are funded by the City of Foster City and through matching grants from the City/County Association of Governments and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. The City’s funds will come from Vehicle License Fee dollars collected due to the passage of Measure M on last November’s ballot with the remainder projected to come from fare revenue.

The new fares on the Connections Shuttle are among many cost-saving measures the City is making to address a projected structural budget deficit of $4.8 million. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the FY 2011-2012 budget at the City Council meeting on June 6, 2011, at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, 620 Foster City Boulevard. The City Council will formally adopt the budget at its meeting on June 20, 2011.

For more information about changes to the shuttle system, please contact Teresa Whinery, Transportation Intern at (650) 286-3248 or twhinery@fostercity.org.