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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Lopez DATE TYPED: 03/09/01 HB
SHORT TITLE: Expand South Valley Bus Service SB 785
ANALYST: Padilla


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 214.0 Recurring General Fund



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates/Relates to Appropriation in The General Appropriation Act





SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC Files



No Response Received:



Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

State Highway and Transportation Department



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Bill 785 appropriates $214.0 from the general fund to DFA's Local Government Division for the purpose of funding increased bus service in certain parts of Albuquerque.



Significant Issues



The bill asks that the appropriation target Sun-Tran bus route 53, which runs from 5th Street and Silver in downtown Albuquerque to Malpais and Isleta in the south valley. The bill specifically asks that the frequency of service be increased from every hour to every half-hour, and that it be extended an additional 3½ hours per day. Currently, weekday service on route 53 begins at 6:02 a.m. and ends at 9:29 p.m.



The Sun-Tran bus system is part of the city of Albuquerque's transit system. It appears, however, that most of route 53 is located in the unincorporated part of Bernalillo county.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $214.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



The bill requires DFA's Local Government Division to administer the funding in this bill. DFA did not respond to the LFC request for information and input on this bill.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS



1. How does Sun-Tran currently fund expansion of bus routes? Is federal funding available for heavily-traveled routes?



2. What does the city of Albuquerque currently budget for bus service?



3. Does Bernalillo county contribute to Sun-Tran's budget?



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