Riverside Transit Agency - Service Changes

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The following service upgrades have been approved by the Riverside Transit Agency Board of Directors and will take effect Jan. 13. The improvements are designed to enhance service and reflect RTA’s pledge to deliver safe, reliable, courteous, accessible and user-friendly service to all our customers. Prior to adopting these changes, RTA conducted a month-long public hearing period that welcomed comments and suggestions related to these changes.

Affected Routes: 1, 7, 8, 10, 14, 16, 16E, 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, 29, 33, 36, 38, 38E, 41, 61, 204, 206, 208 and the Jurupa Shuttle.

Route 1: The western end of this route will now end at 6th and Smith streets in Corona with special branch service to the West Corona Metrolink Station for train connections. On the route’s eastern end, it will travel along a portion of University Ave. instead of Third St., which improves service to University of California, Riverside.

Route 7: Service frequency will increase from 40-minutes to 35-minutes because the route will no longer travel on Riverside Dr. That road will instead be served by Rt. 8 (see below). Due to increased demand for service, the hours of operation will be expanded on weekdays and weekends. With a boosted service frequency, passengers will benefit from improved connections at the Lake Elsinore Outlet Center to routes 8, 22 and 206.

Route 8: Hours of operation will be expanded on weekends and weekdays to allow for better connections to other RTA routes. Expanded service will benefit trips to schools such as Lakeside High School and Terra Cotta Middle School.

Route 10: The route will be extended along Third St. between Market St. and Big Springs Rd. and Watkins Dr.

Route 14: With Rt. 1 now travelling University Ave., Rt. 14 will change to serve Third St. east of Market St. and continue east to Big Springs Rd. and Watkins Dr.

Route 16: Due to the increased popularity of Route 16 for UCR students and the requests from UCR for more RTA service, this route will be
realigned to serve bus stops on Campus Drive.

Route 16E: Line cancelled. Service will be replaced with CommuterLink 208 and the new CommuterLink Route 210.

Route 19: Schedule will be adjusted to improve service to Val Verde Academy High School and the Starcrest business park.

Route 21: Schedule will be adjustment to better meet the Jurupa Valley High School bell schedules.

Route 22: Due to increased requests for earlier service, the weekend schedule is proposed to be adjusted. Weekend service from Lake Elsinore will begin at 7:35 a.m. instead of 8:50 a.m.

Route 25: Schedule will be adjusted to better meet school bell times and allow for later evening service.

Route 27: Expanded hours will provide riders with later service.

Route 29: Instead of terminating at Bellegrave and Etiwanda avenues, this route will be extended into the Jurupa Valley area and will terminate at Limonite and Hamner Aves. to serve new shopping centers in Eastvale.

Route 33: Line restructured. Extended service to East Hemet with the new service to Dartmouth Middle School and Hemet High School.

Route 36: Realigned to serve the City of Yucaipa. Service to Redlands cancelled. Alternative service is provided by Omnitrans in Yucaipa.

Route 38: Service will be expanded in Eastvale and Jurupa High School.

Route 38E: New express route is an extension of Route 38, connecting Eastvale and Norco to the East Ontario Metrolink Station where passengers may transfer to Omnitrans buses or Metrolink trains.

Route 41: Will be enhanced with midday service on weekdays.

Route 61: Line restructured and streamlined. Extended service south to Temecula with new stop at the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, Rancho Springs Hospital and the Temecula Promenade Mall.

Route 204: Service will extend to the University of California, Riverside and some low-ridership trips will be cancelled. Those trips are the first and second round trip in the a.m. and the last two p.m. trips.

Route 206: Route will offer Saturday service, new stops at the Crossings and Dos Lagos in Corona, and a connection to the Galleria at Tyler Mall.

Route 208: Most trips will no longer stop at the Moreno Valley Mall, which will shave 20 minutes off total trip time. Southbound a.m. trips and northbound p.m. trips will continue to stop in Moreno Valley.

Route 210: This new CommuterLink route will travel Highway 60, linking cities of Banning, Beaumont, Moreno Valley and Riverside. A total of eight trips will be provided daily. The a.m. trips will meet train connections at the downtown Riverside Metrolink station with two trips from the Pass Area stopping in the city of Moreno Valley before terminating at the downtown Metrolink station. Two additional a.m. trips will start in Moreno Valley with destinations to the Metrolink station and the downtown Riverside Transit Center.

Jurupa Shuttle: Will be renumbered Route 39 with expanded service hours. Stops will be added along Jurupa Rd. between Pedley Rd. and Eitwanda Ave. with new service on Bellegrave Ave. between Eitwanda and Lindsay St. The route will also be extended in the Sunnyslope community on Armstrong Rd.

Source: Riverside Transit Agency

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Riverside Transit - Schedule Changes
effective May 11, 2008



Route 1
UCR, Downtown Terminal, and Marketplace Metrolink Station to
Smith & 6th, W. Corona Metrolink
Minor Schedule Adjustment Upgrade: Times adjusted to better meet Metrolink trains at Marketplace Station in Riverside and West Corona

Route 3
Arlington & La Sierra to Belle & 10th - Norco, Corona
Minor Schedule Adjustment Upgrade: Weekday schedule improved to better meet Metrolink trains at North Main Metrolink Station in Corona

Route 8A
Lake Elsinore Outlet Center, Inland Valley Hospital, Wal-Mart
Alternate northbound routing to Grand Ave. and Machado St.
Minor Service Upgrade: Additional midday trips will follow the "8A" routing.

Route 20
Magnolia Center, Social Security Office, RCR Med Cntr, MoVal Comm Hosp, RCC, MorenoValley
Timepoint Change: Magnolia Ave. & Elizabeth St. timepoint moved to Jurupa Ave. & Magnolia Ave.

Route 21
Galleria at Tyler to Country Village
Timepoint Change: Timepoint moved from Limonite Ave. & Clay St. to Limonite Ave. & Collins St. for northbound trips and Limonite Ave. & Archer St. for southbound trips

Route 25
Downtown Terminal to VA Hospital, Loma Linda Medical Center - Highgrove, Loma Linda
Minor Realignment Upgrade: Routing changed near Hunter Business Park loop to better serve Iowa Ave. bus stops

Route 27
Galleria at Tyler to Florida & Lincoln, Hemet - Riverside/Perris/Sun City/Hemet
Trip Extension, Schedule Adjustment Upgrade: Last southbound trip extended to serve Hemet Valley Mall. Schedule improved for better connections with Route 22 at Trautwein Rd. and Van Buren Blvd.

Route 29
Downtown Terminal to Eastvale, Hamner & Limonite
Minor Realignment - Route no longer travels on 24th St. in the Belltown area.

CommuterLink 202 - Beach Bus Service
Murrieta, Temecula, Oceanside Transit Center
Launch midday Beach Bus Service from 6/16 - 8/31 on weekdays and weekends.

CommuterLink 208
Temecula, Murrieta, Sun City, Perris, Moreno Valley, Marketplace Station Metrolink, Downtown Terminal
Weekday morning trips expanded to better serve Sun City, Murrieta and Perris, and better meet train schedules

CommuterLink 210
Banning, Beaumont, Moreno Valley, Riverside, Marketplace Station
Trip Extension: Last eastbound trip of the evening extended to Banning.

Schedule adjustments for the following routes for improved on-time performance and/or better timed transfers:
Routes: 12, 14, 16, 17, 22, 27, 39, 40, 42, 74, 79

Source: Riverside Transit Agency

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ACTION ALERT - Riverside Transit - Proposed SRTP Upgrades
Anybody want to leave the car at home when working or visiting Riverside County?


CommuterLink Bus 206 rests at this stop while in layover. RTA
has proposed launching a study for express BRT service along
the I-15 & I-215 corridors.

Some nice regional service & capital upgrades connecting
Riverside County to/from Orange and San Diego County are
proposed by RTA.

Help RTA build these routes by submitting your support letters
for the extended commuter bus service, transit center upgrades
for the Metrolink Perris Valley, 91, and IEOC Line stations, and the express BRT
service study for the I-15 and I-215 freeways. In my opinion the
express buses would serve as an interim solution as the
transit officials work on establishing a rail line for both of
these corridors. Here are some clips from the proposed RTA SRTP:

............................

Notice is hereby given that the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) will conduct public hearings for the Agency’s proposed Short Range Transit Plan (2009-2011) and Fiscal Year 2009 Budget. Upon approval, the public hearing period will begin at RTA’s Board meeting on May 22 at 2 p.m. at RTA headquarters. The period will conclude at RTA’s Board meeting on June 26 at 2 p.m. at RTA headquarters.

Comments regarding the budget and Short Range Transit Plan may be submitted during the meetings, by phone at [phone], emailed to customer service or sent via standard mail to:

RTA headquarters
1825 Third Street
Riverside, CA 92507

Comments should be directed to the Chief Financial Officer and the Director of Planning.

...............................

In FY 2009, RTA will operate 8 express routes and 41 regional and local routes, in
addition to 2 seasonal fixed-routes. Depending on the level of ridership and
density of an area, a fixed-route will either be directly operated or contract
operated. A directly operated route is managed in-house and has cost that is fully
burdened with the Agency’s overhead. A contract operated route is managed by a
third party and carries only a portion of the Agency’s overhead. Generally, the
cost of a directly operated fixed-route is nearly double than that of a contracted
route.

Fares:

In April 2005, RTA increased fares for the first time in over five years.
A Fare Study is currently being conducted to analyze the current and appropriate
fare level for RTA services. This study is expected to be approved by the Board in
FY 2009 with possible changes to the fares to occur no sooner than January 2009.

Transit Centers:

The following is a summary of each transit facility RTA will be utilizing.

Riverside Downtown Transit Center: This full-feature transit center will be
located at Vine and 9th Streets off the 91 Freeway in Riverside. It is intended to
capture ridership for Amtrak and Metrolink trains while connecting primarily to
several RTA CommuterLink and local transit routes. The RTA operated portion of
the Center will replace the existing Downtown Terminal near University Ave. and
Market St. The Center is planned to have 10 bus-bays within walking distance of
significant urban residential and commercial development, the Downtown Justice
Complex and numerous visitor destinations, with cost estimated at $10.3 million.
Construction could start in 2010, and upon completion in 2012 it would be the
busiest transit center in Riverside County.

North Main Corona Transit Center: Located off Grand Blvd. near the 91
Freeway interchange with North Main St; this busy location will facilitate multimodal
transfers between Metrolink, RTA local and express routes, the Corona
Cruiser community bus service, and carpools and vanpools. This Center is
planned to have 8 bus bays and is in the final design approval stage. Total cost of
the project is approximately $9 million and will be completed in 2010.

Perris Multi-Modal Center: Situated off D St. near 4th St. (State Route 74), this
central county location will facilitate multi-modal transfers between Metrolink, RTA
local and express routes, and park-and-ride patrons. Ridership would be captured
from Perris, Sun City, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Lakeview and surrounding
communities. The City of Perris has worked with RTA to incorporate a distinctive
historical ambience in a streetscape design that reflects Southern California’s
entertainment and cultural heritage. RTA would utilize the transit center which will
be completed in the first phase of the $5.3 million project. The center would have
8 bus-bays and completion of the first phase is estimated for late 2009.

Moreno Valley-March Field Transit Center: Located in the March Joint Powers
Authority (JPA) jurisdiction off Cactus St. near newly-developed Meridian Pkwy.
employment centers, this facility will feature 6 bus bays and multi-modal transfers
between Metrolink and RTA local and express routes converging from across
Moreno Valley and beyond. WRCOG, RTA, RCTC and the March JPA have
commissioned The Planning Center consultants to create conceptual design
options. The transit center is in the preliminary design phase and is estimated to
be completed in 2012 with an estimated cost of $6.5 million.

Hemet Transit Center: Strategically located in Central Hemet off State St. near
Menlo Ave., this facility at the terminus of the RCTC-owned rail branch line will
capture riders from Hemet and San Jacinto. Preliminary concepts for the Center
feature a strong commitment to transit-oriented development with extensive
“Farmer’s Market” style amenities and distinctive residential neighborhoods. The 4
bus bay project is in the preliminary design stage with dedicated funding so far
reaching $1.4 million towards the project. Completion is estimated for 2011 as a
bus only facility until a proposed extension of the Perris Valley rail line to Hemet is
formalized.

Temecula Transit Center: Located near the city boundary with Murrieta at
Jefferson Ave. and Cherry St; this transit center will be a robust marshaling site for
vanpools, express buses, and possible BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) destined for
Orange County and San Diego County employment centers. The 12 bus bay
project is undergoing environmental feasibility clearance with federal agencies.
Total cost for the project is estimated at $8 million with a completion date expected
for 2012.


Proposed Service Upgrades - FY 2008-2009

Route 36 (Local/Regional Route)
Banning - Beaumont - Calimesa - Yucaipa
Realignments: In Fall 2008, the
route will be extended to other neighborhoods within the City of Calimesa.
MY COMMENTARY: This route has had an interesting journey over the past few years.
The route originally had some very poor ridership and RTA proposed canceling the
line. Because this route is the only local public transportation route between
Beaumont and San Bernardino County, there was strong local opposition.
RTA has been working with the community lately via public meetings and workshops
in making this route more productive and it looks like this method of fixing
"broken" bus routes actually works.

Route 42 Estudillo Express (Shuttle)
Soboba Casino - Central San Jacinto
This route will be restructured in Fall 2008 to better
service trip generators in the area.

Route 74 (Local-Plus Regional Route)
Perris - Sun City - Menifee - Winchester - Hemet - San Jacinto
In FY 2009, Route 74 will be analyzed along with
Route 79 to determine if the two routes can be interlined without
adding additional revenue hours, thereby improving the
frequency to at least 60 minutes.

Route 79 (Local-Plus Regional Route)
Temecula - French Valley - Winchester - Hemet
In FY 2009, this route will be analyzed to study the
travel patterns of passengers to determine how the route can be
streamlined to improve the frequency without adding more
resources and cost.

FY 2009-2010


Route 7 (Local/Community Route)
Northeast Lake Elsinore
As early as Spring 2009, double the weekend
service frequency to 35 minutes from the current 75 minute
intervals.

Route 8 (Local Route)
Lake Elsinore - Wildomar via Grand Av
As early as Spring 2009, double the weekend
service frequency to 60 minutes from the current 120 minute
intervals. Route 8 ridership has grown substantially
making it the RTA contracted route with the highest ridership.

Route 23 (Community Route)
Temecula - Murrieta
In Fall 2009, this route will be broken up into
at least two different routes that will serve the City of Murrieta.
With the growing demand for service in this area, the new routes
will travel to new office and commercial corridors along both sides
of Interstate 15 between the new Murrieta Civic Center and the
Promenade Mall area in Temecula. Places that will be served
include the Hancock Ave. Medical Corridor, Murrieta Hot Springs
retail centers, County Offices on Ynez Road, a Transit Loop near
the Promenade Mall, the new Town Center on Jefferson Avenue
where City Hall is located, the Madison Avenue Shopping District
as well as several of the middle schools and high schools.

Route 24 (Community Route)
Temecula - Pechanga Resort - Redhawk/Vail Ranch
Restructure this route in Fall 2009; it will be broken up into at
least two routes that will be more streamlined to include more
shopping centers on Winchester Road that extend to the French
Valley area, and provide service to more schools.

Route 31 & 32 (Local-Plus Regional & Community Routes Respectively)
Banning - Beaumont - San Jacinto - Hemet
Increase service frequency. With the growth in
these areas and increased traffic flow, the schedules of the two
routes are no longer conducive to interlining. In Fall 2009, the
interline of these routes will be removed with the addition of
another bus.

Route 149 (Commuter & Weekend Express Route)
Riverside Downtown - Corona - Village at Orange
In Spring 2009, an extra trip on the weekdays will
be added pending continued demand.

FY 2010-2011

In FY 2011, the service changes are to focus on the
implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) should economic
conditions allow. BRT would operate in the cities of Riverside and
Corona and the unincorporated community of Home Gardens via
University and Magnolia Avenues.

Route 55 Harveston Shuttle (Shuttle/Local Route)
Developer Funded Route
North Temecula
This local route will primarily serve the Harveston
community in Temecula and will be funded by the developer,
Lennar Communities. The Harveston Shuttle will operate five
days a week from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and will connect local
residents to local and express routes, schools, and community
facilities.

Route 212 ComuterLink (Commuter Express Route)
Hemet - San Jacinto - Riverside Downtown
New CommuterLink Route 212 is scheduled to be implemented in
winter 2009. This route will service customers traveling from San
Jacinto and Hemet to Riverside, and will be funded through FTA
funds from Job Access and Reverse Commute Program and the
New Freedom Program in addition to Measure A. The route would
operate during peak hours with 8 trips per day and would take
approximately 75 minutes one-way.

Route 214 CommuterLink (Commuter Express Route)
San Jacinto - Hemet - French Valley - Temecula - Escondido TC
This demonstration CommuterLink service is scheduled to begin
Winter 2009. Route 214 would serve the growing number of
commuters traveling to San Diego County and would connect with
NCTD’s Breeze buses, Sprinter trains and MTS’s commuter routes
in Escondido. The route would operate during peak hours with 8
trips per day and approximately 80 minutes one-way. Funding for
this route will derive from FTA Job Access and Reverse Commute
Program (JARC) and the New Freedom Program funds in addition
to Measure A.

Bus Rapid Transit
Corona - Tyler Mall - Riverside Downtown - UCR
A BRT Study was completed in 2004 by the Institute of
Transportation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley
recommending BRT service along University and Magnolia
Avenues. BRT will parallel existing Route 1 but with limited stops
and ITS amenities such as signal prioritization that will allow for
faster travel. By means of new technology on the bus and on the
street, signal prioritization will allow speedier schedules for BRT
by maintaining a green light, longer, in traffic that minimizes
delay during the trip.

BRT Connecting Routes - Frequency Upgrades:
Routes 10, 12, 19, 20, 22, 25, 27, 49:
Increase frequency to 40 minutes.

Bus Rapid Transit
Orange County - W Riverside County - San Diego County via I-15
Riverside Downtown - Temecula via I-215
Study BRT service along the north/south I-15, and I-215 corridors.

Source: Riverside Transit Agency SRTP

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ACTION ALERT - Riverside Transit - Proposed Service "Prunings"
Help RTA properly "prune" its bus system so that it can use the
resources to fulfill its much needed upgrades to its bus routes.


CommuterLink Bus 206 rests at this stop while in layover.

The Riverside Transit Agency is proposing changes to 11 routes, effective January 11, 2009. Please note that RTA's budget is healthy; based on reports the reductions are being proposed for low ridership routes so that the better performing routes can get their much needed upgrades. View public hearing schedule.

Route 3 - Local
(Corona - Norco - Northwest Riverside)
Operate Saturday trips every 60 minutes.
Commentary: I do not object to this proposal; however I suggest
that Route 3 & 38 be interlined once the Corona Transit Center is open.

Route 17 - Community Route
(Moreno Valley)
Cancel Saturday service.
Commentary: I do not object to this proposal under the condition
that an alternative bus route with weekend service is routed to
the Super Wal-Mart shopping center to provide replacement. I
suggest that an east/west route such as Route 35 or Route 20
offer replacement service to the center.

Route 18/18A - Circulators
(Moreno Valley)
Reduce Sunday service by cancelling two round-trips.
Commentary: (To be posted in the near future). Basically, these
two routes have some redundacy and are in need of a make-
over. I'm thinking that these two routes should be combined into
one with hourly headways for both.

Route 20 - Local
(Riverside Plaza-Moreno Valley)
Sundays: Cancel the first 2 morning and first 2 evening trips of the day.
Commentary: I oppose this proposal and recommend that any
reductions to Route 20 be held back until future ridership is
analyzed from the connecting bus rapid transit project. Route 20
has also been recommended for late-night/weekend service
should the agency recieve a grant for Measure A, Federal Job
Access and Reverse Commute Program funds. This would render
this proposal meaningless.

Route 29 - Local
(DT Riverside-Eastvale Gateway via Mira Loma)
Sundays: Cancel the first 2 morning and first 2 evening trips of the day.
Commentary: I recommend that any reductions to Route 29 be
held back until future ridership is analyzed from the connecting
bus rapid transit and Riverside Transit Center projects. I also
recommend that staff work with the community of Mira Loma and
the City of Riverside to improve the productivy of this route in the
Mira Loma and North Riverside areas since this route connects to
major activity centers on each end of the route.

Route 32 - Local
(San Jacinto-Hemet Valley Mall)
Sundays: Cancel the first 2 morning and first 2 evening trips of the day.
Commentary: I oppose this proposal due to a conflicting
proposal in the FY 2009 Short Range Transit Plan. The SRTP
indicates a proposal to increase service frequency of this route
and Route 31. The SRTP also indicates that in Fall 2009, the
interline of these routes will be removed with the addition of
another bus. Route 42 was also proposed to be restructured in
Fall 2008 to better service trip generators in the area. I
recommend that Route 32 reductions be held back until future
ridership is analyzed from the SRTP upgrades.

Route 33 - Circulator
(Hemet)
Cancel Saturday service.
Commentary: (To be posted in the near future). Many productive
routes can be realigned to provide replacement; therefore I do
not object to this proposal, but I may recommend that the
resources be used to provide Saturday service on Route 79 with
an extension to northern Hemet to provide replacement service.

Route 36 - Local Plus
(Yucaipa-Beaumont)
Cancel Line due to low ridership.
Commentary: I believe poor bus stop placement is causing this
route to lag in ridership. It mainly connects local area shopping
centers and bypasses several residential areas. This route really
needs to serve the residential areas better in both Beaumont
and Calimesa; therefore I strongly recommend that staff work
with the communities and have this route and Dial-a-Ride service
be turned over to the municipal transit operator Pass Transit with
better local coverage in the Beaumont area and Calimesa area.
Pass Transit can free up resources by streamlining bus service in
the Cabazon area. Because this route and respective dial-a-ride
service are the only means of public transit in the City of
Calimesa area, I strongly object to any cancellations until the
service is turned over to Pass Transit with a transfer agreement.



Route 39 - Shuttle
(Mira Loma)
Cancel Line due to low ridership.
Commentary: I do not object to this proposal and recommend
that other bus routes in the Mira Loma area offer timed transfers
and consistent headways and span of service to offer a
streamlined replacement service.

Route 206 - Commuterlink
(Temecula-Corona Express)
Cancel Saturday Service.
Commentary: (To be posted). In need of a major, major, major
bus stop makeover! You know that I-15 gets crowded during the
weekends. What are the most popular weekend destinations in
Temecula with a high number of service-sector employees?...
Pechanga, Old Town, Wine Country. Which business
in Temecula has the most number of employees (in the
thousands)?... Abbott. This bus route doesn't quite take you to
any of these spots.

You know that SR 76 also gets heavy on weekends too. Where
do people flock to when it gets hot inland?... The beach. Ever
wonder why the Route 202 beach bus is so popular?

Route 206 weekend Marketing? Anybody even know it exists?
Maybe a little bit of better marketing and bus stop placement
would do the trick:

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Dozens speak against Banning-Yucaipa bus
route elimination


RTA Route 36, the only public transportation link between
the Beaumont area and San Bernardino County, and the only
bus route in the City of Calimesa is proposed to be cancelled due
to low ridership.

I am working with the Transit Coalition in preparing a report complete with pictures and maps which comments the proposed RTA service changes. The report will be published when it is finished. We will suggest that this low ridership route be realigned to serve the Beaumont area better and provide a connection to a proposed super regional shopping center in Calimesa. Local bus service in Beaumont is also provided by a muni operator, Pass Transit; we have suggested the possibility of turning this route over with a transfer agreement.

---

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 28, 2008
By ERIN WALDNER
The Press-Enterprise

CALIMESA - Dozens of people, many of them senior citizens, objected Monday to a proposal to
discontinue a bus route that links Banning and Beaumont to Calimesa and Yucaipa.

The Riverside Transit Agency is considering eliminating Route 36 because of low ridership, agency
officials said. If the agency's board of directors approves the plan in September, the route would be
eliminated in January.

The agency also is considering eliminating Route 39, which serves Jurupa, Mira Loma and Rubidoux,
and making changes to other bus lines.

On Monday, about 50 people attended a hearing on the proposal to eliminate Route 36 at a Calimesa
senior center.

Calimesa Councilman Ray Quinto, the city's representative for the agency, said it costs $403,000
annually to operate the bus route. The agency needs to recoup some of that expense, he said.

With most routes, the agency recovers 17 to 18 percent of its operating costs, Quinto said. For Route 36,
it is 3½ to 4 percent.
"So you can see it's a problem," Quinto said.

Despite the deficits, he urged people to try to convince the agency to keep the line, which he described
as essential.

Terry Plummer, a senior citizen from Calimesa, said the bus line is the only way she has to get to her
doctor's office, the drug store and the supermarket.

Angel Acevedo, 13, of Yucaipa, said he was speaking on behalf of his mother, who does not speak
English.

She works at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Beaumont and takes the Route 36 bus home at night, he said.

She would take it to work in the morning, too, if it was available, he said.
Angel said if the agency added more stops on the line in the morning and did a better job advertising the
route, more people would ride it.

Reach Erin Waldner at 909-806-3060 or [e-mail]

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Proposal would halt Jurupa shuttle

By SANDRA STOKLEY
The Press-Enterprise

RUBIDOUX - Riders of the Jurupa shuttle -- most of them seniors -- say it offers them a convenient, comfortable and thrifty way to run errands and get around.

"For me, it's very handy," said Jose Woon, 71, as he sat waiting for the 7:35 a.m. shuttle on Friday morning at a stop just across the street from his apartment building.

A round trip costs just $1.20.

But the Riverside Transit Agency is proposing to do away entirely with the Jurupa shuttle, officially known as Route 39, due to poor performance.

Sunday service on Route 29, which also serves the Jurupa area, would be cut back as well.

---

Comments: Because the shuttle overlaps several existing bus routes and local DAR service, the Transit Coalition will not object to the cancellation of the shuttle conditioned that other bus routes in the area are set up with timed transfers and consistent span of service and headways. We will also recommend some minor realignments so that riders will have a maximum of a 2-seat ride from anywhere in the affected area to major activity centers such as the Eastvale Gateway Shopping Center, K-Mart Center, and Riverside Downtown.



However the TTC will object to the Route 29 proposal given a connecting BRT and major TOD projects are underway in Riverside Downtown.

---

Bus agency officials started holding two public meetings this week to explain the changes. On Monday they will be at the Eddie Dee Smith Senior Center in Rubidoux.

If approved by the bus agency's board of directors Sept. 25, the changes would take effect in January.

Spokesman Bradley Weaver said the transit agency expanded Route 39 and added trips starting in January 2008 to increase ridership. The shuttle runs from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

After those changes, ridership increased 320 percent, Weaver said, from 154 boardings in June 2007 to 646 boardings in June 2008.

Lynne Craig, co-director of the Smith center, said, "Who gets a 320 percent increase these days? To me it sounds like it's very successful. It's just not fair to cut this service."

Weaver said those numbers still work out to fewer than two riders per hour using the shuttle.

"Our goal on that route is 9.5 riders per hour," he said.

Weaver said ridership on Route 39 continues to be the lowest in the RTA system.

He said the majority of the shuttle's route is duplicated by other buses in the Jurupa area, including routes 21, 29, 38 and 49.

"Many of these passengers that ride on Route 39 may be eligible for Dial-A-Ride service," Weaver said. "It is an option that is available to them."

Terri Sico, who lives at the Mission Palms Apartments, used to ride the Jurupa shuttle when it offered "door to door" service, picking up seniors at their residence if it was within three-quarters of a mile within the route and dropping them off in front of stores at the De Anza Plaza on Limonite Avenue.

"It was a great deal and we had the nicest driver who would help with packages," Sico said.

Sico, who walks with a cane, said she stopped using the shuttle after the route changed in January and the "door to door" service ended.

She depends on the Smith senior center van to take her shopping. When the van is in the shop "we hire someone to take us to the stores."

Woon said he rides the shuttle every day and makes a transfer to get to his job in Riverside.

On Friday morning he was riding it as far as the corner of Pedley Road and Limonite Avenue, where he planned to get off, hop on his bike and run some errands.

"For me, this (change) will make it very hard to get where I want to go," Woon said.

Reach Sandra Stokley at 951-368-9647 or [e-mail]

[wrcousert]

>CommuterLink 202 - Beach Bus Service
>Murrieta, Temecula, Oceanside Transit Center
>Launch midday Beach Bus Service from 6/16 - 8/31 on weekdays and weekends.

The Beach Bus should run year round, with service once per hour until at LEAST 10:00pm. Ideally I'd like to be able to connect with every single Metrolink run, and return of course.

>CommuterLink 208
>Temecula, Murrieta, Sun City, Perris, Moreno Valley, Marketplace Station Metrolink, >Downtown Terminal

>Weekday morning trips expanded to better serve Sun City, Murrieta and Perris, and better
>meet train schedules

Service on Routes 23 and 24 should increase so it's possible to start and end trips on both lines. Route 23 doesn't start running until after the last morning 208 has left Murrieta Wal-Mart.

Route 149 - Why doesn't it go to Disneyland? It used to.* I'd like to see Night Owl service on this line, or at least run until Midnight, once per hour.



*I seem to remember Route 149 going all the way to Long Beach back in the mid 80's, with one of the stops on Beach Blvd. in Stanton. Why did that stop?

[nickv]

The Beach Bus should run year round, with service once per hour until at LEAST 10:00pm. Ideally I'd like to be able to connect with every single Metrolink run, and return of course.

A report (sorry, I forgot where I got the info from) said that Route 202 should also connect to Amtrak trains and link travelers to Old Town Temecula and other tourist destinations in the Temecula Valley. I'll probably put something together after the current public hearing.

Service on Routes 23 and 24 should increase so it's possible to start and end trips on both lines. Route 23 doesn't start running until after the last morning 208 has left Murrieta Wal-Mart.

RTA has proposed studying BRT along the I-15 and I-215 corridors which will offer connections from the proposed Temecula Transit Center (artwork includes a possible CA HSR station and transit oriented development). The local lines will of course connect to the service. I do not know how long it will take from the start of the study to opening day; it's taken OCTA several years to get their BRT system going.

Route 149 - Why doesn't it go to Disneyland? It used to.* I'd like to see Night Owl service on this line, or at least run until Midnight, once per hour.
*I seem to remember Route 149 going all the way to Long Beach back in the mid 80's, with one of the stops on Beach Blvd. in Stanton. Why did that stop?

This is something probably worth advocating. It would give Inland Empire residents a direct connection to the ARTIC and the Resort. I think an exclusive public/private partnership might work. It would run in conjunction to the existing Metrolink service.

Of course, I would love to see 30 minute Metrolink train service along the rail corridor, but as of now, some major track upgrades, agreements with BNSF RR, NIMBY-ism, and other political roadblocks would have to be cleared before that would happen, but some modest Metrolink upgrades are on the way.

[nickv]

Riverside Transit - September 2008 Service Changes




On September 14, RTA made minor adjustments to several routes, including the 1, 10, 13, 15, 16, 19, 23, 32, 42, 149 and 204.

Details inside the new Ride Guide.

[nickv]

I am working with the Transit Coalition in preparing a report complete with pictures and maps which comments the proposed RTA service changes. The report will be published when it is finished.

The Transit Coalition
Recommendations on Improvements to
Riverside Transit Agency Proposed 2009 Route Changes



View Report and Cover Letter Here (3.86 MB PDF)

The 12 page report was submitted into public record during the public hearing period of RTA Proposed service changes and has been mailed to RTA staff members.

The RTA Planning Committee and Board of Directors will vote on the proposed changes at their meetings in October. The TTC Report will be mailed to each of the members.

[nickv]

RTA - Proposed Fare Adjustments



The Riverside Transit Agency’s Board of
Directors is considering changes to its
current fare structure. This brochure is
designed to inform you of two proposed
fare change options. Your opinions
matter. That’s why RTA has planned a
series of public hearings in November to
solicit public comments and answer any
questions you may have. Details of those
meetings can be found on the back page
of this guide.

PUBLIC HEARING DATES

Monday, November 3
3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Corona Public Library
650 S. Main Street in Corona

Tuesday, November 4
3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Temecula Public Library
30600 Pauba Road in Temecula

Thursday, November 6
3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
San Jacinto Community Center
625 South Pico Ave. in San Jacinto

Wednesday, November 12
6:00 p.m.
Riverside Transit Agency
1825 Third Street in Riverside

Thursday, November 13
3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Moreno Valley Council Chamber
14177 Frederick Street in Moreno Valley

Friday, November 14
3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Beaumont City Hall
550 E. 6th Street in Beaumont

In addition to the meetings, the public may also comment on the proposed fare
changes by calling [phone], emailing us at [e-mail],
or writing us at Riverside Transit Agency, 1825 Third Street, Riverside, CA 92507,
Attention CFO.

Option A:

Local service fares would increase 5 cents a year for general cash-paying customers
and 5 cents every two years for senior/disabled customers. Local service passes
would experience modest increases (2 to 5 percent in most cases), with discounts
for seniors/disabled passes remaining at 50 percent of the general fare cost.
New CommuterLink pricing would be established with senior/disabled discounts
consistent with local fixed-route service. Dial-A-Ride pricing remains consistent
with current policy.

Option B:

Local service fares would increase 5 cents a year for general cash-paying customers
with no increase to senior/disabled fares after the first year. Local service passes
would increase no more than 5 percent annually, with discounts for senior/disabled
passes at roughly 50 percent of the general fare cost. New CommuterLink prices would
be created with senior/disabled discounts consistent with local fixed-route service.
Dial-A-Ride pricing remains consistent with current policy.

[nickv]

Riverside Transit - Bus Service Change Highlights
effective January 11, 2009



Route 3 - Local Route
Arlington & La Sierra to Belle & 10th - Norco, Corona
Saturdays: Frequency reduced to every 50 minutes due to low ridership.

Route 12 - Local Route
Stephens & Center to Pierce & Sterling - Riverside
Weekdays: One morning and one evening eastbound trip will be added with alternate service to business destinations in north Riverside near the corner of Main St. and Garner Rd.

Route 17 - Community Shuttle
Canyon Springs to Moreno Valley Senior Center, Moreno Beach Dr.
Weekdays: Morning and afternoon trips will be adjusted to better meet school bell times at Valley View High School and Mountain View Middle School.
Saturdays: Saturday service cancelled due to low ridership. The following routes are available as alternates to most of the affected areas: 16, 18A, 20, 35. Private taxi service between the RCRMC transfer point and the Super Wal-Mart area is also available for a modest fare given the short driving distance.

Route 22 - Local + Regional Connector
Lake Elsinore Outlet Center - Perris - Riverside Downtown
All Days: A short 2 minute layover is added at the Trautwein Rd. & Van Buren Bl. stop for timed connections to Route 27.

Route 23 - Community Shuttle
Temecula Old Town - Murrieta - Wildomar
Weekdays: School tripper service added to serve Vista Murrieta High School.

Route 22 - Local + Regional Connector
Hemet - Sun City - Perris - Galleria at Tyler
All Days: A short 2 minute layover is added at the Trautwein Rd. & Van Buren Bl. stop for timed connections to Route 22.

Route 33 - Hemet Ladybug Shuttle
Hemet Super Wal-Mart - Hemet Downtown - East Hemet
Saturdays: Saturday service cancelled due to low ridership. The following routes are available as alternates to/from the Hemet Valley Mall and downtown areas: 27, 31, 32. No weekend public transportation is available on Sanderson Ave south of Highway 74, but private taxi service should be available to destinations south of Florida Ave for a modest fare given the short driving distance.

Route 36 - Local + Regional Connector
Yucaipa - Calimesa - Beaumont - Banning
Due to strong local opposition, the proposal to cancel this route due to low ridership has been averted. The following reductions will take place:
Weekdays: Service will be reduced to operating approximately every two hours.
Saturdays: Saturday service will be cancelled. There will be no direct public transit into San Bernardino County on Saturdays; however limited Greyhound bus service to San Bernardino Downtown is available from the Banning Greyhound Bus Station. Alternatively, public transit into San Bernardino County is available via RTA Routes 35, 16; and Omnitrans Route 215, but expect lengthy trip times.

Route 39 - Jurupa Shuttle
Jurupa - Mira Loma - Rubidoux
All Trips: Cancel line due to very low ridership and excessive service overlap. Routes 21, 29, 38, 49 will continue to serve the area and will cover most of Rt. 39’s current service area.

Route 52 - Riverside Downtown Trolley Green Line
Riverside Downtown
Weekdays: Reroute to serve the Press-Enterprise and Riverside Unified School District offices. Rush hour service, with connections to Riverside Downtown Metrolink Station, will operate from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Lunchtime service to local restaurants will operate from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon trips will be cancelled due to very low ridership.

Route 202 - Commuterlink Express Bus
Murrieta - Temecula - Pala Mesa - Oceanside
All Trips: A stop has been added at the Oceanside Town Center North transfer point to provide connections to NCTD buses in the area.

Route 206 - Commuterlink Express Bus
Temecula - Lake Elsinore - Corona
Saturdays: Saturday service cancelled due to very low ridership. Saturday rail connections from the Corona Crossings area is available via the Corona Cruiuser Red Line. Rail connections from the Lake Elsinore area are available in Riverside via Route 22 (alight bus at Lime/University and walk to the Riverside Downtown station). There will be no direct public transit to rail on Saturdays from Temecula/Murrieta; however Greyhound bus service to San Bernardino Downtown (1/3 mile walk to San Bernardino train station) is available from Temecula Old Town. Tickets must be purchased in advance as the ticket office is closed on Saturdays and tickets cannot be paid on board Greyhound buses.

Schedule adjustments for the following routes for improved on-time performance and/or better timed transfers:
Routes: 3, 8, 12, 42, 74, 79

The following routes were proposed to have service reductions. Due to increasing ridership on these routes, all reductions proposed have been averted:
Routes: 18/18A, 20, 29, 32.

The following proposed upgrades will be postponed:
Routes: 79 Saturday service, Route 212 (Hemet-Riverside Downtown) & 214 (Hemet-Temecula-Escondido).

[nickv]

ACTION ALERT - Notice of Public Hearing
Proposed Riverside Transit Bus Service Changes
RTA will hold a public hearing period between Feb. 12 and Feb. 26



On June 28, RTA plans to change several routes to increase efficiency.

Affected Routes: 3, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30, 33, 35, 36, 38, 38E, 40, 42, 61, 208, 210

Thanks to new on-board technology, RTA can better identify customer travel trends and route productivity. Therefore, on June 28, the Agency plans to modify routes to make service more efficient for customers and the Agency. Your opinions matter. That’s why RTA has scheduled community meetings in February to hear public comments and answer any questions you may have.

Note - The reductions are proposed due to a reduction in local tax funding revenue.

Route 3 - Local Route
Corona – Norco - Northwest Riverside
Restructure route: Cancel route between Sixth Street in Norco and La Sierra Avenue in Riverside. Expand route to the north to replace Route 38 along Hamner and Sumner avenues in Eastvale. Cancel Saturday service.

Route 7 - Local Route
Lake Elsinore Outlet Center - Lake Elsinore Wal-Mart
Extend route to the Inland Valley Medical Center, replacing the Route 8 segment from Palomar and Baxter streets to the hospital. This will improve connections and efficiencies of both routes.

Cancel the following trips:
Weekdays – NB 4:30 am; NB 5:05 am; NB 7:05 pm;
NB 7:40 pm; SB 5:00 am; SB 5:35 am; SB 7:35 pm;
SB 8:10 pm
Saturdays – SB 8:20 pm

Route 8 - Local Route
Lake Elsinore - Wildomar - Inland Valley Medical Center
Replace segment from Palomar and Baxter streets to the Inland Valley Medical Center hospital with Route 7. Cancel alternate routing to Machado and Terra Cotta middle schools.
Cancel the following trip: Weekdays – NB 4:30 am

Route 10 - Local Route
UCR - Magnolia & Pierce Riverside
The portion of the Route 10 from the Tyler Mall to Pierce and Sterling streets will be replaced with Route 14.

Cancel the following trips:
Weekdays – EB 4:29 am; EB 7:49 pm; WB 4:40 am
Saturdays – EB 7:46 pm
Sundays – EB 7:46 pm; WB 5:55 am

Route 14 - Local Route
UCR - Galleria at Tyler Riverside
Cancel service east of the Downtown Terminal. The portion of this route between the downtown Riverside terminal, Third Street and the UC Riverside area will continue to be served by Route 10. The portion of the Route 10 from the Tyler Mall to Pierce and Sterling streets will also be replaced with Route 14.

Cancel the following trips:
Weekdays – EB 5:00 am; EB 8:00 pm; WB 4:30 am;
WB 5:00 am; WB 8:05 pm
Saturdays – WB 7:55 pm; WB 8:00 pm
Sundays – WB 6:45 pm

Route 16 - Local Route
Moreno Valley - Riverside
Cancel route south of the Moreno Valley Mall. Service along Sunnymead and Perris boulevards, Cactus Avenue and Elsworth Street will be served by realigned routes 18 and 19 with transfers available at the mall.

Route 17 - Community Route
Moreno Valley Mall - East Moreno Valley Wal-Mart
Route 17 will be replaced mostly with a restructured Route 35. Routes 16, 18, 18A, and 19 will also be realigned to better serve the Moreno Valley area.

Route 18 - Community Shuttle
Moreno Valley
This route will be restructured to replace portions of Route 16 from Alessandro to Cactus and Elsworth streets in addition to operating as a circulator with service on Ironwood Avenue, Heacock Street, John F. Kennedy Drive and Frederick Street. Portions of the existing route along John F. Kennedy Drive, Kitching Street and Iris Avenue will be served by routes 18A and 19.

Route 19 - Local Route
Moreno Valley – Perris
The route will be realigned to continue north on Perris Boulevard to Sunnymead Boulevard and to the Moreno Valley Mall. Service along Cottonwood Avenue and Frederick Street will continue to be served by Route 18A.

Route 21 - Local Route
Riverside – Glen Avon – Mira Loma – Fontana
Cancel the following trips: Weekdays – WB 5:05 am; SB 5:10 am

Route 23 - Community Shuttle
Temecula – Murrieta
Cancel the following trip: Weekdays – SB 6:37 pm

Route 24 - Community Shuttle
Temecula County Center - Wal-Mart Temecula
Cancel the following trips: Weekdays – NB 5:10 am; SB 5:05 am

Route 27 - Local + Regional Connector
Hemet – Sun City – Perris – Riverside
Cancel service to the Sun City Center. Connections will continue to be served by Route 74 on weekdays only.

Route 29 - Local Route
Riverside – Rubidoux – Mira Loma – Eastvale
Cancel the following trips:
Weekdays – EB 7:20 pm; EB 8:09 pm; WB 7:20 pm
Saturdays – EB 7:40 am; WB 6:45 pm
Sundays – EB 6:50 pm; EB 7:40 am; WB 6:45 pm


Route 30 - Perris Community Shuttle
North Perris - Perris Downtown area
Cancel the following trips:
Weekdays – EB 7:40 pm; EB 8:25 pm; WB 7:40 pm;
WB 8:30 pm
Saturdays – EB 7:40 pm; EB 8:25 pm; WB 7:40 pm;
WB 8:30 pm


Route 33 - Hemet Ladybug Shuttle
Hemet Downtown - Hemet Wal-Mart
Cancel the following trip: Weekdays – EB 7:10 pm


Route 35 - Regional Connector
Moreno Valley – Banning – Beaumont
Realign route from SR-60 in Moreno Valley to portions of Eucalyptus Avenue in Moreno Valley with stops at the Moreno Valley Senior Center and retail locations on Moreno Beach Drive, replacing Route 17. Cancel Saturday service.

Route 36 - Regional Connector
Calimesa – Beaumont – Banning – Yucaipa
Cancel route due to low ridership.

Route 38 - Community Shuttle
Norco – Mira Loma – Jurupa
Cancel route from Pats Ranch Road to Etiwanda and Bellegrave and replace the remaining segment or Route 38 with Route 3.

Route 38E - Metrolink Rail Feeder
Jurupa – Ontario Metrolink Station
Cancel route due to service redundancy and low ridership. Connections to the Metrolink Riverside Line are available at the Pedley Station via Route 21 and 29.

Route 40 - Local + Regional Connector
Lake Elsinore – Canyon Lake – Sun City – Menifee
Cancel service east of the Sun City Center and reroute line between the Sun City Plaza and Sun City Center from Murrieta Rd to Bradley Rd. Service along Murrieta Rd and to Mt. San Jacinto College will continue to be provided on Route 61.

Route 208 - CommuterLink Express
Temecula – Menifee – Sun City – Perris – Moreno Valley – Riverside
Cancel the following trips: NB 3:32 am; NB 5:08 pm; SB 6:51 pm

Route 210 - CommuterLink Express
Banning – Beaumont – Moreno Valley – Riverside
Cancel the following trips: EB 7:18 pm; WB 4:21 am

Community Meetings

Thursday, Feb. 12
2 p.m.
James Simpson Community Center
305 East Devonshire in Hemet

Thursday, Feb. 12
6 p.m.
Moreno Valley Council Chamber Office
14177 Frederick Street in Moreno Valley

Tuesday, Feb. 17
4 p.m.
Norco Senior Center – Auxiliary Room
2690 Clark Avenue in Norco

Tuesday, Feb. 17
6 p.m.
RTA Headquarters Board Room
1825 Third Street in Riverside

Wednesday, Feb. 18
4 p.m.
Norton Younglove Multipurpose Senior Center
908 Park Avenue in Calimesa

Thursday, Feb. 19
1 p.m.
Lake Elsinore Senior Activity Center
420 E. Lakeshore Drive in Lake Elsinore

Thursday, Feb. 19
6 p.m.
Perris City Hall Council Chamber Office
101 N. D Street in Perris

Friday, Feb. 20
2 p.m.
Kay Ceniceros Community Center – Room R
29995 Evans Road in Sun City

In addition to the meetings, the public may also comment on the proposed service changes by calling [phone], e-mailing us at [e-mail], or writing us at Riverside Transit Agency, 1825 Third Street, Riverside, CA 92507, Attention Director of Planning.

[nickv]

ACTION ALERT - Notice of Public Hearing
RTA will hold a public hearing on April 9



RTA plans to cancel Route 52 due to very low ridership. Route 52 is a Riverside Downtown Trolley-on-Rubber-Wheels circulator.

Route 52 Public Hearings to be Held April 9 - A public hearing will be held at noon on Thursday, April 9 at the Riverside County Transportation Commission Conference Room A, 3rd Floor, 4080 Lemon St. in Riverside to receive comments regarding the proposed cancellation of Route 52, the downtown Riverside Trolley. Comments may also be sent to RTA at 1825 Third Street, Riverside, CA 92507, e-mailed to [e-mail], by phone: [phone] or in-person at RTA’s headquarters through April 9.

RTA's proposed changes are available in this brochure and TTC ABIE comments may be read here.

Anybody interested in improving Riverside Downtown transit mobility should submit their comments to RTA.

[nickv]

ACTION ALERT - Notice of Public Hearing
RTA will hold a public hearing on May 28 (pending board approval)
for the Agency’s proposed Short Range Transit Plan (2010-2012) and Fiscal Year 2010 Budget.



Notice is hereby given that the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) will conduct a public hearing for the Agency’s proposed Short Range Transit Plan (2010-2012) and Fiscal Year 2010 Budget. Upon approval, the public hearing will be held at RTA’s Board meeting on May 28 at 2 p.m. at the County Administrative Center, Board of Supervisors Chambers First Floor, 4080 Lemon Street in Riverside.



Comments regarding the budget and Short Range Transit Plan may also be submitted by May 28 at 2pm, by phone at [phone], emailed to [e-mail] or sent via standard mail to 1825 Third Street, Riverside, CA 92507. Comments should be directed to the Chief Financial Officer and the Director of Planning.

RTA's SRTP Report can be viewed here (28.6M) [pending board approval] and TTC comments will be posted soon. A TTC map of the proposed RTA changes can be viewed here.

Possible TTC Comments to be Submitted to RTA:

TTC may request RTA to consider a volunteer transit ambassador project for the BRT service, support the span and frequency upgrades, and support the BRT proposals for the I-15 and I-215 corridors by requesting frequent local-plus-express bus service for the I-15 and I-215 Corridors by expanding existing local bus routes to serve as Rapid lines.

Regarding the proposed transit centers, RTA will be addressed of the California High Speed Rail Authority and RCTC train station proposals for the UC Riverside and Temecula/Murrieta areas so that duplicative transit hubs won't be developed. TTC would like to see the Temecula Transit Center be compatible and complementary to these rail station projects and not be a separate bus-only center. A Rapid Downtown Connector will be needed to connect the UCR HSR station to the Riverside Downtown Transit Center. Conceptual CA HSR station maps, ideas and artwork can be viewed here.

Proposed SRTP Service Changes:

January, 2010 - Funded by JARC and Measure A, increase weekday span to midnight and weekend span to 10 P.M. on routes 1, 16, 19, 20, 22, 25, and 27.

FY 2011-2012 - Add Rapid service runs for the Route 1 Magnolia Avenue Corridor. Increase the frequency to 40 minutes on routes 10, 12, 19, 20, 22, 25, 27, and 49 for streamlined connections to the Rapid service.

FY 2011-2012 - Study Rapid service runs for the I-15 and I-215 Corridors.

Proposed Capital Upgrades:

In FY 2010, RTA will purchase materials and supplies to expand and upgrade the bus stop system with the addition of I-stops, funded by ARRA funds.

In FY 2009-2014, RTA will develop six transit multi-modal centers. Transit centers may be publicly owned by various agencies and are well-situated for advancement of public-private investment partnerships leading to transit oriented development: Transit centers will be developed in Perris (Perris Metrolink Station), Corona (North Main Corona Station), Riverside Downtown, Temecula (Jefferson Avenue near Murrieta border), Moreno Valley (March Field Metrolink Station), Hemet (Hemet Metrolink Station).

Anybody interested in improving Riverside County transit mobility should submit their comments to RTA.

[nickv]

The Transit Coalition - A Better Inland Empire (ABIE)
Recommendations on RTA 2010-2012 Short Range Transit Plan

The Transit Coalition ABIE supported the vast majority of the RTA Short Range Transit Plan (28.6 MB) proposals. Suggestions were made for an improved fare product for Riverside County-San Diego commuters; the Magnolia Avenue, I-15, and I-215 Bus Rapid Transit proposals; and concerns were addressed for two proposed transit centers.

View TTC Comments Here

I-15 & I-215 Bus Rapid Transit - Riverside County



The Transit Coalition supported the development of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line for the Magnolia Avenue Corridor and the study of BRT along the I-15 and I-215 Corridors. Traffic along these freeways, especially near SR-91 are at very unacceptable levels; one logical reason being the fact that these corridors now lack off-peak and weekend regional transit connections.

Local bus routes adjacent to these freeways would be combined, interlined, streamlined, and/or expanded into regional connectors to offer direct, cost-effective local-plus-express service. Local service would be provided in the dense urban areas to productively connect residential areas to large commerical and employment centers during both peak and off-peak hours.

I-15 & I-215 BRT Lines with better local transit connections in Murrieta/Temecula



Between these urban areas, these routes would transition onto the freeway corridors to provide productive, expedited travel times for regional trips.

Peak/Off Peak Connections to LA via Metrolink San Bernardino Line or Foothill Transit Silver Streak at Montclair TC:



I hope to have the I-15 bus route terminate at the Montclair TransCenter which will provide direct connections to the San Bernardino Metrolink Line (Metrolink Max campaign) and Foothill Transit Silver Streak BRT. The TTC MetrolinkMax campaign is designed to ask Metro to allocate Measure R funds to expand late night, mid day and weekend service, as the funding is there.

In conjunction with the TTC ABIE Carfree Regional Connections Campaign, these connections should help fill in some of the most needed north/south regional transit gaps in Southern California.

[nickv]

Riverside Transit - Bus Service Reductions Highlights
effective June 28, 2009



The cuts are due to lower local sales tax revenue.

On June 28, RTA will make adjustments to several routes to boost
productivity and service. The Agency will also offer expanded service to the beach on Route 202, unveil new express routes 212 and 217 and roll out the Temecula Trolley.

The new lines are funded from outside sources including JARC and developer funding and are not at the expense of the approved RTA service cuts.

Service Change Brochure


Route 27 was proposed to have all bus stops in Sun City removed. The proposal was withdrawn due to widespread opposition and the need for weekend connections:

The following lines/segments will be cancelled:


Route 3 (Old Town Norco Segment) - Local Route
Old Town Norco Segment .
All Trips: Segment through Old Town Norco is cancelled. No replacement service.

Route 17 - Community Shuttle
Canyon Springs to Moreno Valley Senior Center, Moreno Beach Dr.
All Trips: Line cancelled, but will be replaced by realigning Route 35 and other connecting routes.

Route 36 - Local + Regional Connector
Yucaipa - Calimesa - Beaumont - Banning
All Trips: RTA will cease operations of the line. Pass Transit has agreed to take the route. Effective June 21, the Pass Transit route will be launched to provide a transition period between the routes.

Route 38/38E - Community Shuttle
Jurupa - Mira Loma -Norco
All Trips: Replaced with a relaligned Route 3. All 38E trips to the Metrolink Riverside Line cancelled due to very low ridership and excessive service overlap. Routes 21 and 29 will continue to provide connections to the Metrolink Riverside Line at Pedley from the Mira Loma area.

Route 52 - Riverside Downtown Trolley Green Line
Riverside Downtown
Weekdays: Line cancelled due to very low ridership. Extra stops in Riverside Downtown have been added on commuter buses to serve as replacement.

[nickv]

RTA - Notice of Public Hearing
RTA has planned a series of community meetings in August for proposed DAR changes.



RTA is considering changes to Dial-A-Ride service policies, which if adopted
will take effect January 1, 2010:

I have started to draft some comments in relation to the proposed
changes. I've listed each proposal with some comments.

---

Possible Comments that will be Submitted to RTA

I. Comments on Proposed Changes:

1. Enforce a strict 3/4 mile boundary policy:
Given that this policy is already official, we take no position on this
proposal. We, however, suggest that a customer service supervisor or other
member of management be permitted to authorize DAR trips beyond the service
boundary only on an extreme case-by-case basis as occasional situations may
occur. We believe a "no exceptions" rule would be puritanical and bad for
RTA's name and image in extreme cases.

2. Shorten reservation window to 3 days:
We do not object to this proposal; however, we suggest one month prior to
the change that RTA DAR reservation staff remind each caller on the phone of
this change whenever a ride is booked more than 3 days in advance. Like our
comments of the 3/4 mile boundary policy, we also suggest that a member of
management be authorized to book trips further in advance only on a
case-by-case basis.

3. Enforce trip-by-trip and conditional eligibility:
We do not object to this proposal, provided that the case review results are
given to callers in a timely manner and each case is based solely on its
factors and the law. We suggest that transportation alternatives be provided
for all "No" results. We also request that repeat and return trips be exempt
from this procedure due to unproductive redundancy. These exceptions would
be reviewed and executed by management or trained customer service staff.

4. Raise the senior age for DAR eligibility from 60 to 65:
While we do not object to this proposal due to the lack of resources in the
long term, such a move would affect transit mobility for current seniors
between the ages of 60-64 who rely on DAR, but cannot use the fixed route
system. We believe DAR service to these riders must be maintained. We
therefore strongly urge that RTA consider a grandfather clause for current
seniors between the ages of 60-64. The exception would allow riders who were
60 years of age or older, on or before January 1, 2010, to use DAR. All
seniors 65 or over would qualify for DAR service.

5. Create a zone-based fare system:
We support the zone-based fare system and capping the fare of a one way trip
to $9, but we also suggest capping a round trip fare at $14 which is double
the price of a CommuterLink Day Pass.

II. Suggestion to Maintain High Customer Satisfaction Levels:

With these service changes and enforcements, RTA should train its DAR
customer service staff to provide transportation alternatives including any
city-operated DAR services, private carpools, vanpools, private shuttles or
taxis, home delivery providers, and other resources to callers who desire
but are ineligible to use DAR and cannot use the fixed route system. This
will be vital for necessary trips such as jobs, doctor appointments, trips
to the pharmacy, and grocery/clothing store runs. A direct "No, we cannot
help you." statement is useless for callers in need of a ride and conveys
total rejection when working with a customer.

In a situation where an ineligible customer needs groceries, but cannot use
the fixed route system, RTA customer service staff should be trained to say:
"We are not able to provide dial-a-ride to you, but we can help you find a
local grocery store that offers home delivery service. You'll get your
groceries within a day or two."

Alternatively, a patient needing a short ride to the doctor's office who
lives outside of the boundary area: "Dial-a-ride does not serve your area,
but we can contact 'Private Transit Company' for you, and they can get you
to your appointment on time for about $10.00 round trip. Would you like me
to contact them for you?"

In a situation where an ineligible rider needs transportation to a job, RTA
staff should be trained and prepared to communicate with the transit rider's
employer to negotiate transportation alternatives such as carpooling or
ride-along trips with a coworker.

Customer service staff should also be trained to turn to management in dire
situations, where management would be given the authority to grant DAR trips
that are exempt from these policies on a case-by-case basis.

III. Alternative transportation resources and web links should also be
available on the DAR Web page.

Customers visiting the RTA Web site who desire but are ineligible
to use DAR and cannot use the fixed route system should have
alternative transportation resources and links available to them
within the RTA Web site.

Having a statement on the DAR Web page reading something
like "Senior/Disabled Dial-A-Ride is for seniors age 65 and above
and for anyone carrying an RTA Disabled ID card or an ADA card."
is useless for ineligible customers in need of a door-to-door ride
and conveys total rejection when working with a customer.

Providing links to outside resources to ineligible customers would
be very helpful and would result in better RTA customer
satisfaction. RTA should post a legal disclaimer on the links page
which would protect the agency from any civil disputes between
the customer and the private transportation provider.

Los Angeles Metro featured links to alternative transportation (e.g.
ridesharing, vanpools) during its massive bus driver and mechanic strike in
2003 when virtually all rail and bus operations were shut down.

[nickv]

Greetings Fellow Board Posters:

I've been very quiet lately on this board as its been nearly a couple of months since I've posted, but lots of challenging (and fun) transit advocacy work has been in the works lately in the Inland Empire to make Southern California a better place for her people.



1. Bart Reed and I took a trip to the Riverside County Transportation Commission office in Riverside Downtown in January to gather data and discuss various transit projects and TTC proposals.

2. Based on data from the visit with RCTC, the Perris Valley Line construction will break ground sometime in 2011. The line is fully funded. Feasible train station alternatives were looked at in the Hunter Business Park/Highgrove area. We also got a look at the new Perris Station Multi Modal Transit center which provided for a much better and safer transit hub for Perris area bus riders and seeds for infill redevelopment in the central city! Much work still needs to be done as the central city still suffers from much urban blight and is still considered unsafe for many.

3. A campaign advocating the study of public/private partnerships (ppp) to fund late night bus service in Riverside County was kicked off thanks to the support and advocacy work from the Riverside Transportation Now Chapter. Several proposals will be submitted to the Riverside Transit Agency. Each proposal will illustrate the benefits for the public with return-on-investment benefits for the private sector. Many bus routes in Riverside County end service before 7:00 p.m. and as early as the 6:00 p.m. hour in the southwest area. Despite high demand, RTA cannot expand span due to funding issues; properly planned ppp's might address this.

4. Speaking of the Riverside Transit Agency, RTA is proposing another round of service reductions. A report will be built later in February and will be due to RTA in late March. The late night bus service proposals will be bundled into the report as well as better money-saving proposals (ie. removing trips while adjusting the service frequency so that the current span of service can be maintained). Proposals to improve bus and local trolley service in the Temecula/Murrieta area will also be included.

5. Exploration is underway to address a major roadblock to better Metrolink service between Riverside and San Bernardino: the Colton Crossing. Under a contract with BNSF, no extra trains are allowed until the rail crossing is grade separated...Who's going to pay for it? Data is going to be collected. One fact is the Colton Crossing is in the heart of the central city of Colton. Could TOD developers fund the separation? Private investments like a first-rate convention center and hotel, a regional entertainment complex, or high paying jobs with direct connections to a local train station can be the key. Stay tuned as a campaign page will be built once the data has been gathered and analyzed.

On behalf of TTC A Better Inland Empire, thank you for efforts to improve rail transit in the greater Los Angeles area. Lot's of people living in the Inland Empire commute daily to the LA area and having better rail options will greatly help her residents, workers, and everyone else.

[nickv]

RTA Proposed Service Changes - 5/2010



On May 9, 2010, the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) plans to implement various service changes and has opened a public comment period.

AFFECTED ROUTES / RUTAS CON CAMBIOS:
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 27, 32, 42 and 57. Holiday Service Reductions.

In response to a challenging economic climate and a need to control operating costs, RTA plans to cancel trips (ie. reduce span) on 14 routes, minimize service duplications, cancel Route 57 (Temecula Trolley Red Line), and cancel service on some holidays.

A public hearing period will be held from February 25th through March 25th on these proposed changes. RTA has scheduled community meetings in March to hear public comments on the proposals.

Details here

Linked are PPP Concepts that will be bundled into TTC's report:
Late Night Funding Concepts in Greater Riverside
Late Night Funding Concepts in Riverside Downtown
Better Bus Service & Funding Concepts in Temecula/Murrieta

Please reply with your feedback!

-----------------------------------------------

Preliminary Comments that will be submitted to RTA pending feedback:

Disclaimer: These statements are draft only and do not reflect official Transit Coalition position.

Executive Summary:

1. Proposal to Protect Span of Service on Key Routes - Public Private Partnerships: RTA and cities should explore public/private partnership opportunities with the entertainment and hospitality sector for additional local funding. Such partnerships will allow RTA to maintain the current span of service and meet the requests for late night bus service all around Riverside County.

2. Productive Bus Service in Temecula: RTA and the City of Temecula should focus on restructuring productive bus routes as recommended by previous studies conducted by the IBI Group and the Federal Transit Administration.

Span of Service Reduction Response:
Routes 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 27, 32, 42

The Transit Coalition understands that current economic crisis and lack of public funding from the state level can warrant service reductions and acknowledges that RTA staff is working hard to maintain service demands.

We believe that alternative and nontraditional funding solutions must be found in lieu of additional service cuts, layoffs, and fare increases. RTA should continue to explore opportunities such as public-private partnerships (PPP), public parking fee revenue, branded vehicle advertising, and transit-oriented development projects that bring housing and bus stops closer together.

Example PPP Concept:

PPP: City of Riverside, RTA, Castle Park and Kaiser Permenente Medical Center

Goal: Ongoing operating subsidy for Route 1 and proposed Magnolia Rapid buses, ongoing

Public Benefit - A PPP with Castle Park could provide for funding for major capital improvements via Polk St between Castle Park and the RTA bus stop at Magnolia Ave and Polk. Bus stop upgrades would include attractive features, public art, castle-themed shelter, and next-bus-arrives signs. Polk St would also be upgraded into a complete street with a landscaped median, street lamps, benches, metered parking, and wide sidewalks between Magnolia and the east gate at Castle Park. The PPP would also provide for partial funding for expanded late night span on Route 1 on weekends for patrons staying until closing. Security patrol via Polk St between Castle Park and the RTA bus stop would be funded by a portion of parking meter tolls along Polk Street. The City of Riverside and RTA would receive a shared portion from the parking meter revenue. Upgrading Polk St would also provide the seeds for future transit oriented development and increased pedestrian activity in the future.

Private ROI - Castle Park would be able to serve additional customers due to the fact that transit dependent youth wishing to enjoy a weekend night with their friends at the park until closing would now be able to do so under the PPP with expanded Route 1 service. Castle Park would also have additional in-bus advertising exposure and its destination would be marked on connecting bus route maps. Castle Park would collect a portion of the parking meter revenue along Polk St under the terms of the PPP. Castle Park's property value and customer base may also further increase in the long term with potential transit oriented development that could take place if Polk St is upgraded into a complete street combined with Magnolia Ave BRT.

Parking Meter Revenue Examples ($.25 = 7 1/2 minutes):

1. 1 Hour Parking ($2.00)
Public Spending within the local area only: $1.60
Route 1 or BRT Subsidy: $.20
Rebate to Kaiser (M-F, 6AM-6PM): $.20
Rebate to Castle Park (Eve, Weekend): $.20

2. 4 Hour Parking ($8.00)
Public Spending within the local area only: $6.40
Route 1 or BRT Subsidy: $.80
Rebate to Kaiser (M-F, 6AM-6PM): $.80
Rebate to Castle Park (Eve, Weekend): $.80

3. All Day Parking ($15.00)
Public Spending within the local area only: $12.00
Route 1 or BRT Subsidy: $1.50
Rebate to Kaiser (M-F, 6AM-6PM): $1.50
Rebate to Castle Park (Eve, Weekend): $1.50

All parking lot and meter fee revenue would be spent exclusively within the local area which would include upgraded mass transit service.

(Additional examples are listed on page XX.)

Additional Public Funding Concept: Reformed Public Parking Policy

To further maximize funding, ridership and productivity on RTA buses, The Transit Coalition urges county and city officials to consider reforming parking policy at public facilities where fees can be collected for local capital investments and extra funding can be subsidized for connecting RTA bus lines.

Several public parking lots adjacent to public buildings remain free of charge. Collecting parking fees and spending the funds on capital investments within the local area can stimulate private investment, improve private property values, improve safety, and provide for extra operating subsidy for connecting RTA bus routes.

Examples:

(A) Southwest Justice Center

We are under the awareness that the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta experiences severe parking issues and a parking lot expansion project is underway. County officials should work with RTA and Superior Court officials and consider charging parking fees within the public lot and adding parking meters on Auld Road.

All parking fees should be set based on demand so that both the lot and street maintain a 15% vacancy rate at all times.

All parking lot and meter fee revenue should be proposed to be spent exclusively within the Southwest Justice Center area which would include upgraded RTA transit service, faster security checks, more sidewalks, trails, street lamps, medians, and facility maintenance. We believe this would help address parking issues, promote carpooling and ridership on RTA Route 79, and attract economic development from the private sector.

(B) Temecula Education Complex

The Temecula Education Complex currently lacks the parking spaces needed to use its building at capacity during the day according to planning data from the City of Temecula. Currently, there is no charge to park at this center. We have also noted that public bus transit to this area is very sparse.

Since this complex is within a Redevelopment area, Temecula officials should work with participating schools and RTA to restructure parking policy for this facility so that more classes can be offered during the day. Students would pay a fee to park in the lot and parking meters would be installed on Enterprise Circle. All parking fees would be set based on demand so that both the lot and street maintain a 15% vacancy rate at all times. Properly pricing the parking tolls would allow the building to operate at capacity as students would be inclined to carpool or use the bus in lieu of paying to park.

To prevent widespread opposition from local businesses, all parking lot and meter fee revenue should be proposed to be spent exclusively within the local area only which would include upgraded RTA transit service, security, sidewalks, trails, street lamps, medians, and building maintenance.


Additional Alternatives to Protect Current Span of Service:

Should RTA need to resort to cancelling bus trips to balance the budget, we urge the agency to consider removing trips while protecting the overall span of service (the total length of time over which a bus route runs in a day). The service frequency would be adjusted during the lower demand travel times to minimize impacts on riders.

For instance, Route 20 is proposed to have two roundtrip runs cancelled on Saturday. By reducing the total number of trips by two, reducing the weekend early morning and late night frequency to 70-80 minutes, adjusting the midday runs to hourly, and reconfiguring the coach operator schedules, RTA would be able to maintain the current 6:35 a.m. start time and still save on operating expenses.

We understand that the first and last runs for most transit lines normally have lower ridership. We also understand that reducing the frequency during the lower demand travel times may be a hassle for some riders, but wholly eliminating the first or last bus of the day might be even more devastating and may also present connectivity issues to trunk lines such as Routes 1 and 16. This would negate fairbox recovery. We urge RTA to consider our comments.

Holiday Service Reductions:

We understand that overall transit ridership is traditionally much lower New Year’s Day, Memorial Day,
Independence Day and Labor Day. While neighboring transit agencies may adopt policies to not operate buses on these days, the needs and demographics of Riverside County may dictate that service on key routes may need to be maintained.

We suggest that staff analyze the ridership data of the high ridership routes such as Routes 1 and 16 on these days to see if cancelling such service is warranted. A productive alternative would be to operate the trunk lines with mid or small size buses if ridership is high enough to operate service, yet too low for a full 40 foot bus.

Frequency Reductions for Route 25:

While we do not object to this proposal, we urge staff to see if a frequency reduction would cause overcrowding during peak travel times or connectivity issues with Routes 1, 16 or Omnitrans Route 2. If such issues arise, we suggest that the current frequency be maintained.

Route 25 Realignment:

We support the concept of removing overlapping service on Barton in San Bernardino County as this corridor is served by Omnitrans and that RTA is not subsidized by San Bernardino County taxpayers. We, however, have a number of concerns regarding the proposal to reroute Route 25 to the freeway north of Grand Terrace which include mileage and p.m. rush hour traffic issues.

Based on data from Google Maps, a trip between the Loma Linda University transfer hub and Grand Terrace (Palm and Michigan St) is 4.2 miles via Barton Rd. The distance via the I-10 and I-215 freeways is 6.2 miles. Moreover, should these freeways become congested, which is normally the case during the afternoon rush hour in the Colton area, precious resources would further be wasted. We believe service would be much more reliable via Barton even though we understand that the freeway would be faster during off-peak times. Also, realigning Route 25 to the freeway would severely affect transit mobility in the Grand Terrace area as Route 25 is the sole source of public transit within the city.

We therefore object to this proposal and recommend instead that Route 25 run as non-stop or closed-door operation service east of the Grand Terrace area to the Loma Linda area via Barton (pick-up only southbound, discharge only northbound). We also request that RTA negotiate funding from SANBAG or the City of Grand Terrace for the route portion that runs in within the city.

Route 57:

We do not object to the cancellation of Route 57. We understand that the Roripaugh Ranch development may include a developer-funded shuttle once complete, much like this route and Route 55. We suggest that the Route 57 trolley be reinstated at an appropriate time within the Roripaugh Ranch area which should connect to the assigned high school, the Southwest Justice Center area to the north, and the Promenade Mall area to the south. We believe this routing would be more productive.

Better Bus Service in the Murrieta/Temecula Region:

RTA and the City of Temecula are to be commended for exploring funding alternatives and PPP's from the private sector to maintain operations of Route 55. We, however, urge the City of Temecula and RTA to explore funding alternatives for the rest of the local bus routes in the region in addition to the Trolley routes.

We believe growth and development in this region has far outpaced the much needed upgrades to its local transit system. PPP's and collecting revenue at public parking lots would provide RTA with the necessary local funds to meet the demands for better local transit service and extended service span. The restructuring and streamlining of productive bus routes have been recommended by previous studies conducted both by the IBI Group and the Federal Transit Administration. Such proposals were also addressed in RTA Short Range Transit Plans prior to the recession. We believe the time is now for RTA and the City of Temecula to explore additional PPP's to fund these recommendations.

Additional PPP Ideas:

(To be Outlined Here)

Disclaimer: These statements are draft only and do not reflect official Transit Coalition position.