September 2005

The following actions were taken by the RTA Board of Directors at their monthly meeting on Thursday, September 22, 2005:

RTA to Offer Free Passes, Assistance to Hurricane Evacuees

Board members ratifi ed the distribution of free bus passes to families and individuals arriving to the Inland area in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Under the approved plan, RTA will offer 31-day passes at no charge to evacuees to be distributed by the Red Cross. The action also authorizes RTA to deviate bus routes as necessary to provide transit services to Hurricane victims.

Board OKs Proposed Changes to No-Show Policy

Board members voted to change the agency’s ADA Dial-A-Ride Services Cancellation and No-Show Policy. RTA’s new policy assigns penalty points to Dial- A-Ride passengers who chronically cancel appointments with limited notice or repeatedly fail to show up for scheduled rides. The changes are designed to simplify the current policy and provide more effi cient operations. The vote comes on the heels of a recent public hearing that solicited input on the changes. The new policy takes effect Nov. 1.

Proposed TUMF Projects Get Nod

Board members approved a multi-year plan that earmarks certain projects for federal and local TUMF money. During fi scal years 2005 through 2009, RTA expects to collect more than $20 million in federal and local funds to build transit centers in cities such as Corona, Riverside, Perris and Temecula. A slice of those funds will be used to launch a Bus Rapid Transit Program in Riverside.

Buddy Fare System a Success

A new program that offers reduced fares to passengers who ride together has experienced a steady increase since its inception in April, according to a report to the board. The program is designed to pair up riders who live within a half-mile radius of one another and are travelling to a common destination. The program had a more-than 100 percent increase in users between April and July. More than 950 passengers took part in the Buddy Fare program in July, up from 453 in April.

Spiegel Family Lauded for Support

Board Chairman Jim Ayres presented an award to Corona Board Member Karen Spiegel and her late mother-in-law Flora for their longtime support of the agency. Flora was one of RTA’s founding board members and attended RTA’s fi rst board meeting in 1975. Karen has been a member of RTA’s board since 2002 and is also active in Corona’s Transportation NOW Committee.

The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, October 20 at 2 p.m. For more information, contact: Bradley Weaver, Communications Specialist (951) 565-5172 bweaver@riversidetransit.com