September, 2003

RTA to Offer Service to Riverside’s “Downtown Aglow”

Western Riverside County residents can enjoy downtown’s holiday festivities this year, without the hassles of driving and parking.  The Board authorized RTA to offer bus service to  “Downtown Aglow” every Saturday beginning November 29th and ending December 20th. 
 
RTA will provide service from eight Riverside County communities, each on a different weekend.  The cost to ride RTA’s “Downtown Aglow” bus is  $1.00 each way.  The schedule is as follows:

Canyon Lake & Jurupa: November 29
Norco & Lake Elsinore: December 6
Moreno Valley & Murrieta: December 13
Perris & Sun City: December 20

Public Hearings Slated for Discontinuation of Route 99

In efforts to increase efficiency on Route 99, which travels between the City of Moreno Valley and Riverside’s Marketplace Metrolink station, the Board elected to adjust the route’s operating hours and open a public hearing to consider termination of the route. 
 
On October 6th, RTA will discontinue the 7:32 a.m. trip departing the Moreno Valley Mall, and the 7:35 p.m. trip departing the Metrolink Marketplace station. Public hearings to consider termination of the route will begin October 27th.  A public meeting has been slated for October 29th at 6 p.m. at Moreno Valley City Hall.  The public can submit comments until November 20th.  Comments can be submitted by:

Mail: RTA Director of Planning, P.O. Box 59968, Riverside, CA 92517
Fax: RTA Director of Planning (951) 565-5131
Email: GetOnAndGo@RiversideTransit.com
Phone: 1-800-800-7821

Taxi Demonstration Program to Increase RTA’s Dial-A-Ride Services

In efforts to reduce the number of Dial-A-Ride trip denials for passengers who are not certified under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), RTA will conduct a yearlong taxi demonstration program beginning October 6, 2003.  Under the program’s guidelines, an approved taxi provider will accommodate any Dial-A-Ride trip request that RTA is unable to provide. 
 
The program is a collaborative effort between RTA and the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) to find ways of increasing the availability of specialized transit for seniors and the disabled.  Western Riverside County’s Measure “A” Specialized Transit Funds will cover the cost of the program. 

RTA’s Paratransit Services Meet ADA standards

A recent review of RTA’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Complimentary Paratransit Service Plan shows that RTA is currently meeting and surpassing the required service levels mandated by the ADA.  The review also analyzed RTA’s ability to keep up with the region’s rapid growth rate.  Results showed that if Riverside County’s population doubles during the next twenty years, as it is predicted, then the demand for RTA’s ADA services will outpace available resources.  Estimates show that equipment and operating revenues will be expended within two to three years.  The Board requested that RTA outline a series of solutions for accommodating this type of growth.