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The following actions were taken during the RTA’s Board of Directors
monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 11, 2007:
Board members accepted the findings of a Federal Transit Administration audit, which found the Agency in compliance with all 23 areas of inspection. The areas included legal, financial, maintenance, and safety and security. During the audit, officials discussed administrative and statutory requirements, reviewed documents and toured facilities. The audit is required every three years for agencies such as RTA that apply for and receive federal grants.
Board members accepted the findings of an intensive study that examined ways for RTA to meet the needs of a growing region. The Comprehensive Operational Analysis is designed to be a guiding document for service upgrades over the next five to 10 years. In order to meet future demands, the study suggests improving connectivity to transit centers, employment centers and schools; increasing service frequencies; expanding bus service within growing areas; and beefing up commuter services. Implementation of those concepts and others can begin as early as January 2008, pending public hearings and board approval.
Board members authorized a one-year extension of the U-Pass partnership between RTA and UC Riverside. The agreement allows UC Riverside students to ride any RTA fixed route for free by swiping their student identification cards through the bus farebox. On average, roughly 2,000 swipes are recorded each week. Since the inception of the program last year, the number of students using the program has grown to nearly 2,400 or about 7.5 percent of the campus' student population. UC Riverside will continue to finance the program, which was designed to reduce campus traffic and increase the use of public transit.
Board members approved an agreement with the City of Riverside that allows City employees to ride the Agency's fixed-route buses for free. To ride for free, employees simply show their identification badges. The agreement, funded by the City and called the "City Pass," is similar to the successful UPass agreement, which was launched last year allowing UC Riverside students to ride at no cost.
Board members authorized the operation of the Corona/Norco/District 2 Holiday Trolley on December 8, 9, 15 and 16. Since 1997, the trolley has been a highlight of the holiday season, taking dozens of residents every year to various shopping centers and points of interest in the community.
Board members approved free rides on all fixed-route buses from 6 p.m. until the end of business on Monday, December 31. For the past several years, RTA has offered free rides on New Year's Eve on all fixed bus routes to help support riders who work that evening, and to provide an alternative mode of transportation to those who do not want to drive or should not drive on the holiday.
Board members authorized the operation of special bus service to the Festival of Lights in downtown Riverside, beginning November 24. The buses will target the cities of Perris, Mira Loma, Norco, Moreno Valley, Sun City, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake, and County District I on the four Saturdays following Thanksgiving. For the past five years, RTA has offered bus service to and from the event. Last year, nearly 500 people took advantage of the service, which costs $2 round-trip.
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, September 27 at 2 p.m.
For more information, contact: Bradley Weaver, Marketing Manager (951) 565-5172
bweaver@riversidetransit.com
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