June 2004

RTA Board of Directors took the following actions on June 24, 2004.

Board Adopts New Budget and Short Range Transit Plan

Bus riders will see a 6.98% system-wide increase in bus service hours with the Board’s approval of the FY 2005 Operating and Capital Budget. This increase includes a 16.8% increase in hours for Dial-A-Ride Service designed to serve seniors and disabled throughout western Riverside County. In addition to increased service, the budget calls for replacement of 31 Dial-A-Ride buses that have exceeded lives, the purchase of three new CommuterLink buses, transit center development, and bus stop enhancements and amenities including Automated Traveler Information Systems (ATIS).

Along with the budget the Board adopted the 2005-07 Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP). In addition to increased hours on fixed route and Dial-A-Ride services, proposed modifications and enhancements seek to improve on-time performance and reliability and include route restructuring and realignments and implementation of a developer funded transit service in Temecula. These planned improvements are expected to increase ridership by 5.6 percent in FY 2005.

Agencies Work To Reduce Traffic on I-15

Mr. Bill Hodge of the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) presented the Board with an update on the I-15 Interregional Partnership (I-15 IRP) projects. The Partnership is a voluntary collaboration between local elected officials representing the Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG), San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and other representatives from public and private organizations. The key issue is the growing number of people that are moving to southwest Riverside County and continuing to work in San Diego county creating a job/housing imbalance and traffic congestion as the number of long distance commuters increases.

One goal of the I-15 IRP is to reduce demand for long distance commutes therefore minimizing impacts on freeway congestion. Transportation strategies are being developed to provide alternatives for drive-alone I-15 commuters. RTA began addressing the problem with the introduction of CommuterLink bus service between Murrieta/Temecula and Oceanside.

Bus Rapid Transit Project Gets High Marks From Focus Groups

The Board was presented with results of recent focus groups conducted as part of the final phase of the bus rapid transit (BRT) project, known as RapidLink. Twelve focus groups included current bus riders, Metrolink riders, UC Riverside students and staff, and employers and employees along the proposed Magnolia Avenue corridor. In summary, riders and potential riders responded favorably to the RapidLink project.

All participants felt that RapidLink is a good investment for the community. The proposed RapidLink route and bus stop locations serve well-traveled areas and activity centers.

Participants in all groups favored the proposed bus stop amenities, such as benches, better lighting, and shelters to protect them from the rain and sun. Participants unanimously favored RapidLink’s next bus information boards as a useful and worthy investment. These signs would reduce uncertainty while waiting for the bus and would be a great benefit to the transit system. In general, everyone supported the use of low-floor buses, especially those who use wheelchairs or had disabled or elderly family members. Participants also favored the idea of distinctive paint schemes and colors for RapidLink buses and stations.

RTA Roadeo Winner Honored

For the second year in a row, bus driver Ron Dickey won 1st place in the 19th annual bus Roadeo. On May 1, the Agency’s twelve-acre bus yard in Hemet was transformed into an obstacle course for the competition. RTA employees competed against each other, driving a 14- ton RTA bus through an eleven obstacle, seven-minute course. This contest requires the utmost in concentration and control as each driver encounters a series of real-world operating situations that leave the absolute minimum in maneuvering clearances.

For winning first place, Ron was presented with a beautiful trophy and will receive a $300 savings bond and a new uniform. Ron’s next steps are to advance to the Southern California Regional competition and then on to the International Bus Roadeo in Atlanta, GA.

The next Board meeting is Thursday, July 26, 2004 at 2 p.m.

For more information contact: Jim Kneepkens, Director of Marketing (951) 565-5170 jkneepkens@riversidetransit.com