|
The following actions were taken during the RTA’s Board of Directors monthly meeting on Thursday, May 24, 2007:
Board members authorized upgrades to bus security camera systems, which will allow for more detailed recordings of events that can be downloaded to a central computer. The wireless feature provides a more ef•cient means for retrieving data for review than the current con• guration. The •ve-camera system has proven to be a valuable asset to the Agency by enhancing passenger safety and minimizing graf•ti and vandalism.
Board members opened a month-long public hearing period for the Agency’s Short Range Transit Plan and budget for Fiscal Year 2008. The proposed $54.3 million operating budget, which is an increase of roughly 4 percent compared to the current •scal year, was developed to support the Agency’s goals of increased ridership, providing excellent customer service and cost-containment through improved ef•ciencies. The Short Range Transit Plan re•ects an estimated 5 percent increase in revenue service hours and a 5 percent increase in revenue service miles from •scal year 2007 projections. The budget and Short Range Transit Plan may be inspected between 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at RTA headquarters or on RTA's website.
Board members adopted a resolution that opposes Gov. Schwarzenegger's transit funding cuts and supports increased transit funding. The governor's proposed budget calls for more than $1.1 billion to be diverted from public transit to pay for other general fund obligations. While RTA's bus operations would not be affected, the funding loss could impact the Agency's capital budget, which pays for anything from bus stop upgrades to vehicle replacement, and force RTA and RCTC to seek other sources of funding. The resolution also directed RTA staff to send letters to state lawmakers opposing the proposed cuts.
Board members approved upgrades to Agency computers used for downloading farebox data. The current computers, which were purchased and installed in 2002, have exceeded their useful life expectancy. These computers operate at RTA's Riverside and Hemet facilities, as well as at the contractor-operated Temecula location.
Board members approved a budget amendment that allows the Agency to commence pre-funding of RTA's future retiree medical bene•ts. Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB 45) requires RTA and other public agencies to determine and recognize the future cost of retiree bene•ts and include them in •nancial statements. The amendment allows RTA to mitigate the majority of the liability within three years, thus reducing the annual cost of the •nancial obligation for years to come.
New information shows the Agency continuing to meet all required performance standards identi•ed in the Productivity Improvement Program, or PIP. The program requires the tracking over time of key performance indicators related to revenues, expenses, and passenger counts. The program is designed to help the Agency maintain effective and ef•cient service by identifying areas for upgrades or modi•cations.
Board members received information showing RTA ridership on the rise once again. In April, the Agency logged 584,891 passengers. That's a 7.8 percent increase compared to April 2006. One area of signi•cant increase was on CommuterLink buses, which showed overall gains of 60 percent, and Dial-A-Ride, which went up 13.5 percent compared to this time last year. Many RTA passengers have pointed to rising gas prices for more frequent use of public transit.
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, June 28 at 2 p.m.
For more information, contact:
Bradley Weaver, Communications Specialist (951) 565-5172
bweaver@riversidetransit.com |
