Chair Lee on Fair Fares enrollment ranges and marketing awareness
Lee asks about the wide enrollment and utilization ranges in IBO's estimates and whether marketing funding is needed. Parker notes current usage is relatively low because eligible individuals are less likely to commute, and that Fair Fares already has one of the larger marketing budgets among HRA programs, with enrollment barriers in the Access NYC system.
I think, so the complexity of estimating the cost of expanding fare fares is, like you, as you mentioned, it's tricky because it's related to and linked to client enrollment levels and the transit utilization,
which are definitely factors that can make
the amounts fluctuate quite a bit.
So I know you had estimated a range of 19% to 32% for enrollment levels and then of eligible people and 19% to 63% for their transit utilization.
So
And you just mentioned that they tend to utilize transportation more.
And so how did you come to that finding as well as the wide range?
And which do you feel are most likely?
Yeah, so I think we wanted to provide a broad range because there are a lot of different options that are on the table and ideas that people have for expansion.
So IBO doesn't take a position on any one of them, but we do note that we
very clearly lay out our assumptions for, for example, take-up rates at each of those levels, as well as, like I mentioned, assuming an increased usage.
I do want to note that in our report we also note that current usage is relatively low, and largely because those that are eligible are less likely to commute.
And so we take a variety of factors into account.
Account as well as I think importantly looking at those that are eligible for other MTA fair discount programs.
And I know that this is something that on the council is very important.
And one of the things that came up several times throughout the budget hearings was the fact that it seems like a lot of folks still don't know about this program or if they're eligible or where they can find out more or sign up.
So one of the things I think that was proposed is putting some marketing money towards this to make sure that people are aware.
And so wanted to know if IBO had done any sort of research in terms of like, should there be additional funding put towards making sure that folks know about this program and marketing dollars, what would be appropriate amount?
That's a good question.
We do note in our report, actually, we looked at marketing costs relative to other HRA programs, and actually Fair Fairs has one of the larger budgets in terms of marketing.
We do also note, and you mentioned determining eligibility and some of the challenges in enrolling, and that's something that we also note in our report.
For those that are not, it's a little bit easier for those that are in access NYC already, but there are a lot of reporting requirements for those that enter through the open enrollment process.
And so we note that those might be barriers to enrolling in the program.
Okay.