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The following actions were taken during the RTA’s Board of Directors monthly meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2008:
New Certification Process Approved for Dial-A-Ride
Board members approved a new certi•cation process for disabled persons applying for priority Dial-A-Ride service. The process eliminates the requirement for an in-person interview, which can be time-consuming for applicants and costly for the Agency because it provides transportation to and from the interview at no cost to the applicant. Under the new process, applicants will continue to contact RTA for information on the priority service but the application process will be done electronically with the help of a healthcare professional. Persons unable to complete the forms online may do so via regular mail, fax or over the telephone. Dial-A-Ride is a curb-to-curb advanced reservation transportation service for seniors and persons with disabilities. Priority service is given to disabled persons certi•ed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Dial-A-Ride Contract Extended
Board members authorized a one-year contract extension with Southland Transit Inc. for the operation of Dial-A-Ride and Call Center Services. Southland Transit was hired in 2006 as part of a two-year agreement that included three one-year optional extensions. During the two-year period that Southland has operated Dial-A-Ride, the service has become more reliable with the system's on-time performance increasing from 83 percent to 92 percent with overall ridership climbing 16 percent each year.
Ridership to Festival of Lights on the Rise
Board members were briefed on new data that shows more people are taking advantage of bus service to and from the annual Festival of Lights in downtown Riverside. During four Saturdays in November and December, 519 people rode RTA buses to the event, an increase of 13 percent from the previous year. As part of the event, RTA utilized festively decorated buses to pickup passengers in ten communities throughout Riverside County. In related news, the Agency's annual holiday trolley service in Corona, Norco and District 2 provided rides to 201 people during two weekends in December.
Ridership Continues to Climb
Board members received new data showing ridership continuing to rise. Compared to this time last year, CommuterLink and Dial-A-Ride ridership has climbed roughly 31 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The latest figures reflect a nearly 11 percent increase system-wide.
RTA Meeting Performance Standards
New information shows the Agency continuing to meet or exceed all required performance standards identified in the Productivity Improvement Program, or PIP. The program requires the tracking over time of key performance indicators related to revenues, expenses and service measures. The program is designed to help the agency maintain effective and efficient service by identifying areas for upgrades or modi•cations.
Sluggish Economy Hindering Tax Revenues
Board members received a presentation from noted Inland economist John Husing who said a sluggish economy, bursting housing bubble, and the decline of tax revenues could have an impact on available transit funds. Historically, home sales and population growth have helped Inland retail sales grow much faster than the rest of the state, which has pumped up county sales tax revenues earmarked for transit. But with those factors down dramatically in the Inland area, retail sales are slowing well below state rates in 2007. Husing said the region's sagging housing market should hit the bottom this year and begin recovery in 2010.
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday, April 24 at 2 p.m.
For more information, contact:
Bradley Weaver, Marketing Manager (951) 565-5172
bweaver@riversidetransit.com |
