The
following actions were taken
by the RTA Board of Directors
at their monthly meeting on
November 20, 2003.
A
report to the Board shows
that RTA's May 2003 service
change has resulted in a
boost in ridership on many
routes. Ridership gains
have been attributed to
the service change, which
increased trip frequencies
by 31% and increased the
span of service by 35%.
Ridership on Route 10 has
increased by 51%, Route
14 increased by 38% and
Route 20 jumped 36%. Route
21 has nearly doubled ridership
with the return of service
to Limonite, Etiwanda, Jurupa,
and the Pedley Metrolink
station.
In
efforts to encourage revelers
to leave their cars at home
on New Year's Eve, RTA will
offer free bus service on
December 31st starting at
6 p.m. The free fare will
run until the end of each
bus schedule on that day.
The Board approved the measure
in hopes of decreasing the
occurrence of automobile
accidents as well as to
offer a complimentary service
for passengers who are working
on New Year's Eve. The Agency
traditionally offers the
service each New Year's
as a way of saying "thank
you" to
its customers for their
patronage.
RTA
expects to see more efficient
ADA/Dial-A-Ride Transportation
and Call Center services
now that a new contract
has been awarded to MV Transportation,
Inc. The agreement includes
improvements to the structure
of the contract that are
a departure from way the
Agency has historically
operated its ADA/Dial-A-Ride
services. Among the changes
is the outsourcing of ADA
call center reservations,
scheduling and dispatching
services. The pairing of
the services is expected
to reduce the likelihood
of discrepancies between
the Agency scheduling staff
and the transportation contractor.
A
positive financial draft
audit for FY 2002/2003 shows
RTA's accounting and financial
reporting is consistent
with Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP).
A presentation by the Agency's
auditor, Caporicci & Larson,
showed that there were no
instances of disagreements
with management, no material
errors, irregularities,
or possible illegal acts.
The auditors also noted
no matters involving the
Agency's internal control
over financial reporting.
The final audit is scheduled
to be approved at the Board's
next meeting in December.
In
October, the Agency concluded
its yearlong Unique Rider
program, which recognizes
customers who have unique
and inspiring stories pertaining
to why they ride the bus.
Throughout the year, one
winner was awarded each
quarter with a free 31-day
bus pass and other RTA promotional
items. The program proved
highly successful in highlighting
RTA passengers. Nearly all
of the winners received
coverage in the Press Enterprise,
and the program itself won
an award in the American
Public Transportation Association's
2003 Adwheel Awards.
For
more information contact:Jim
Kneepkens, Director of Marketing (951)
565-5170
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