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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2j: Arcadia Transit Services for Breeders' Cup World Championship EventsN - DATE: August 7, 2012 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council STAFF REPORT Development Services Department FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director -5LY- By. Linda Hui, Transportation Services Manager SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE EXPANSION OF ARCADIA TRANSIT SERVICES FOR BREEDERS' CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS AT SANTA ANITA PARK Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY The Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held at Santa Anita Park on November 2 and 3, 2012. This two -day event will bring many visitors to the City, providing significant economic benefits to the City and the region. To provide effective transit service to visitors, as well as to manage potential traffic congestion during the event, a special program offering visitors and the public free bus rides along established routes during the days of the event is proposed. Arcadia Transit will serve Santa Anita Park and major hotels along Huntington Drive in Arcadia, as well as some hotels in Monrovia. Staff will ensure that the special event needs are met without compromising the regular transit services for the general public. The authorization is needed to allow Arcadia Transit buses to serve patrons outside the City limits, for the 2012 event and any future Breeders' Cup events. BACKGROUND The Breeders' Cup is the season - ending championship of thoroughbred horseracing that began in Southern California in 1984. The event attracts worldwide participants and is held at different racetracks in North America on a rotating basis. This year's event marks the ninth time the Breeders' Cup has been held in California and the sixth time at Santa Anita Park since its inauguration. The Breeders' Cup was most recently held at Santa Anita Park in 2008 and 2009. Arcadia Transit provided free service to and from area hotels for the 2008 and 2009 events. Expansion of Arcadia Transit Services for 2012 Breeders' Cup Events August 7, 2012 Page 2 of 2 DISCUSSION The 2012 Breeders' Cup World Championships event will be held at Santa Anita Park on November 2 and 3, 2012. Based on past events held at Santa Anita Park, the Breeders' Cup will draw both local and out -of -town fans to the City, providing significant economic benefits. The event also leads to heavy local traffic. In order to manage potential traffic congestion, and provide a service to patrons of the event staying locally, the City has in the past provided special bus service transporting patrons between Santa Anita Park and hotels along the Huntington Drive corridor during the days of the event. In order to promote the City and its services, as well as to incentivize the use of transit, the special bus service will be free of charge to the users. This service was offered in both 2008 and 2009 and was well received and appreciated by users. The special authorization is needed to allow Arcadia Transit to serve patrons outside the City limits at Monrovia hotels, for the 2012 event and any future Breeders' Cup events. FISCAL IMPACT Based on the services provided for 2008 and 2009 events, it is anticipated that the 2012 event and future events may cost between $3,500 and $4,500 excluding lost fare revenue. The Arcadia Transit budget has adequate funds to cover this cost. No General Fund monies are necessary. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council authorize expansion of Arcadia Transit services for Breeders' Cup World Championship events at Santa Anita Park. APPROVED: i icL zza 'I City Manager JK:LH:pa