March 2006

The following actions were taken during the RTA’s Board of Directors monthly meeting on Thursday, March 23, 2006:

Ridership Increases for RTA’s Festival of Lights Service

Board members approved an update of RTA’s Festival of Lights Service, which uses RTA buses to transport hundreds of passengers each year from their cities to downtown Riverside for the annual Festival of Lights Downtown Aglow. The most recent ridership fi gures show a 131 percent increase from the previous year. RTA attributes the increase to more careful scheduling and enhanced promotions of the holiday service as well as favorable weather conditions.

RTA Donates Bus to Murrieta School District

Vista Murrieta High School will receive a bus as part of an agreement fi nalized by RTA board members during their meeting Thursday. The donated bus has exceeded its useful life, is fully depreciated and is no longer needed by RTA. The vehicle is expected to benefi t the school’s music program by transporting instruments. Previous bus donations have gone to the City of Riverside Fire Department for use as a mobile command center and to the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

RTA Meeting Performance Indicators

Board members approved a report that shows RTA’s bus system meeting or exceeding a list of key performance indicators. The indicators track RTA’s performance over time. The program, called the Productivity Improvement Program (PIP), requires the tracking of eight key performance indicators such as operating cost, farebox recovery, passenger subsidy and passenger counts. The ongoing analysis will maintain effective service by identifying areas for upgrades and modifi cations.

Contractor Gets Early Start

Southland Transit Inc. began operating RTA’s ADA/Dial-A-Ride service two weeks earlier than planned, thanks to a board decision passed Thursday. RTA board members ratifi ed an earlier proposal to allow Southland Transit Inc. to begin service on March 12, rather than April 1. The move accelerated the replacement of RTA’s former contractor, MV Transportation Inc. Last year, RTA decided not to renew its contract with MV Transportation after the Agency uncovered data errors in required on-time performance reports.

The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, April 27 at 2 p.m.

For more information, contact: Bradley Weaver, Communications Specialist (951) 565-5172