July

The following actions were taken during the RTA’s Board of Directors monthly meeting on Thursday, July 27, 2006

RTA, UCR Launch U-Pass, Crest Cruiser

Board members approved a new program that will enable thousands of college students to save money and escape the stress of commuting. The U-Pass
program, which is the result of a partnership between RTA and the University of California, Riverside, allows the college’s students to ride any RTA bus free of charge. Students simply swipe their valid university identification cards through the bus farebox when they board. The program will be financed by the university, and is designed to ease traffic congestion around the campus and encourage ride-sharing. Additionally, RTA will launch a free trolley service for students called the Crest Cruiser, which will travel a 6.8-mile route from the university to off-campus housing. The route, which will be available to the public for a fee, is similar to that of a route previously operated by the college. RTA’s new trolley service and the U-Pass program will begin September
25.

RTA to Offer 10-Trip Passes

Board members authorized the implementation of a new 10-Trip Pass that will debut  in December. The new pass will not have the same time constraints associated with multi-day passes, except that it would expire one year after issued. The pass will cost $11, which is a savings when one considers that ten full-fare trips cost $12.50. RTA anticipates that the new pass will be attractive to riders who like the flexibility of riding occasionally without having to pay each time. The new pass would be available on board buses, at pass outlets and through the Agency’s web site. The new pass comes six months after RTA launched the popular 7-Day Pass.

RTA, OCTA Unveil New Route 794

This September, Riverside County residents will benefit from a new express bus service between Riverside and Orange County. Board members authorized an agreement with the Orange County Transportation Authority that would create an intercounty Route 794 between Orange and Riverside counties. Morning buses will serve Riverside County commuters headed to Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. The afternoon service will provide returning trips to Riverside County with stops at the Corona Crossroads Church Park and Ride Lot and at the Galleria Mall in Riverside. OCTA will operate the service, which has an average travel time of 1 hour and 15 minutes. New passengers benefit from a special introductory fare of $1.25.

Route 17 to Get Facelift

RTA’s Board of Directors agreed to overhaul Route 17 to boost ridership and improve service to Moreno Valley. Beginning Aug. 13, the route will begin service to the new Super Wal-Mart and eventually to the planned Super Target. The upgraded route will also include stops at Valley View High School, Moreno Valley Mall and the Riverside County Regional Medical Center. The changes delete five miles of the route on the western end and add three miles to the eastern end. The deleted portion of the route served
a former DMV location west of the Moreno Valley Mall

The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, September 28 at 2 p.m.                

For more information, contact:
Bradley Weaver, Communications Specialist (951) 565-5172
bweaver@riversidetransit.com