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The following actions were taken during the RTA’s Board of Directors monthly meeting on Thursday, June 28, 2007:
Board members approved the Agency’s Fiscal Year 2008 Budget and Short Range Transit Plan. The $54.3 million operating budget, which is an increase of roughly 4 percent compared to last •scal year, was developed to support the Agency’s goals of increased ridership, providing excellent customer service and cost-containment through improved ef•ciencies. Board members also approved a $9 million capital budget, and a Short Range Transit Plan that shows an estimated 5 percent increase in revenue service hours and a 5 percent increase in revenue service miles from •scal year 2007 projections.
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 new ridership data that shows gains compared to last year. In May, the Agency logged 641,486 passengers, which is nearly six percent more than in May 2006. Ridership on CommuterLink and Dial-A-Ride increased roughly 34.86 and 13.78 percent, respectively.
Board members received a demonstration of the Intelligent Transportation System, which RTA is in the process of launching. RTA is installing new mobile data terminals inside all directly operated buses that allow drivers to log on to farebox and headsign systems, view how well they are staying on schedule and communicate with dispatch using text messaging. Buses are also being equipped with automatic passenger counters and technology that uses GPS to transmit bus locations.
Board members approved a one-year contract with Transportation Management & Design Inc. for bus scheduling services. The •rm will utilize automated scheduling software to develop the Agency's bus route schedules and coach operator bid materials. The automated software has greatly enhanced the Agency's ef•ciencies and has provided staff the ability to run test scenario's prior to introducing actual schedule changes.
Board members renewed a one-year agreement between RTA and the Orange County Transportation Authority in which OCTA will continue to pay 30 percent of Route 149’s operating costs for miles travelled within Orange County. The RTA route is a commuter express service that travels between downtown Riverside and the Mall of Orange. Thirty percent of the route is within Orange County. Board members also renewed RTA's partnership with the Orange County Transportation Authority to provide intercounty bus service on Route 794. As part of the agreement, RTA's cost-sharing will continue to be based on the mileage travelled within Riverside County. Since the route's implementation last September, ridership has exceeded 22,700 boardings.
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, July 26 at 2 p.m.
For more information, contact: Bradley Weaver, Communications Specialist (951) 565-5172 bweaver@riversidetransit.com |
