The sbX - Omnitrans BRT

[nickv]

I found a fairly recent article on the sbX project taking place in San Bernardino. Sorry, I couldn't find any updated Web sites on this BRT project. The domain for the original site now points to an ad page. I also couldn't locate any general information on it on Omnitrains' Web site, but found an item on the November 11, 2007 Board Agenda requesting authorization to release Request for Proposals for Environmental Clearance, Preliminary Engineering and Final Design for the project; so it looks like staff is still working on this project which I first learned about a few years ago.

Anyway, for anybody not familiar with this BRT project, the sbX is proposed to follow the Omnitrans Bus Route 2 corridor via E Street from the Loma Linda/VA Medical Center area to Cal State San Bernardino, crossing through the main DT transit mall.

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Five transit agencies to share $19 million in state bond funds
10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, December 5, 2007

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County transportation officials on Wednesday approved the disbursal of about $19 million in state bond funds for public transit projects.

The money is part of Prop. 1B, the $19.9 billion state transportation bond, which includes $4 billion for public transit improvement projects.

Unlike the other pots of bond money, which have required strategizing and competition by agencies, the public transit money is being doled out proportionately across the state.

The San Bernardino Associated Governments board of directors voted to split the county's share among five transit agencies: Omnitrans, Victor Valley Transit Authority, Southern California Regional Rail Authority, Morongo Basin Transit Authority and the Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority.

Omnitrans will get the largest share -- about $8.2 million for a transit center at Chaffey College, replacement of paratransit vans and preliminary work on the proposed sbX express bus service from San Bernardino to Loma Linda.

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority, which runs Metrolink, will get about $7 million for a train storage yard project and purchase of three trailer cars.

The remainder of the funds will go for three paratransit vans for the Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority, which serves the San Bernardino Mountains; two buses and a bus washer for the Morongo Basin Transit Authority; funding for an operations facility and computer purchases for the Victor Valley Transit Authority; and three replacement paratransit vans for Barstow Area Transit.

Reach Imran Ghori at 909-806-3061 or [e-mail]

[nickv]

Omnitrans’ New sbX Project Poised for Development

Spanning 16 miles, the E Street Corridor
sbX Bus Rapid Transit Project will spur
regional economic growth, environmental
benefits and traffic relief


The sbX BRT Project may be similar to the Metro Orange Line BRT, except the dedicated bus lanes
will be on existing roadways and the route will run along the existing Omnitrans Route 2 Corridor.

A proposal to begin seeking qualified contractors to develop the E Street Corridor sbX Bus Rapid Transit Project connecting San Bernardino to Loma Linda will be considered Wednesday by the Omnitrans’ Board of Directors.

The state-of-the-art project calls for developing dedicated bus lanes for use by sleek new alternative-fuel Omnitrans vehicles that will whisk students, seniors, shoppers, commuters and transit-dependent residents between business and government centers, retail malls, medical centers and universities in the two cities.

Passing through five identified redevelopment zones, the sbX E Street Corridor project will help drive regional economic, environmental and mobility improvements while providing vital service to transit-dependant residents along the route.

Read the rest of the Omnitrans Press Release here.

[nickv]

The sbX Update - Omnitrans BRT Project

Spanning 16 miles, the E Street Corridor
sbX Bus Rapid Transit Project will spur
regional economic growth, environmental
benefits and traffic relief


If you compare the sbX to Metro's BRT service, what we
have is part "Metro Orange Line" and part "Metro Rapid".
Portions of the sbX BRT Project will run in exclusive bus lanes
on existing roadways while other parts of the route will use
regular traffic lanes. The route will run along the existing
Omnitrans Route 2 Corridor.

Omnitrans has recently released a map of the SbX BRT corridor:


View Larger PDF Image Here

SbX will whisk students, seniors, shoppers, commuters and transit-dependent residents between business and government centers, retail malls, medical centers and universities in the two cities.

Passing through five identified redevelopment zones, the sbX E Street Corridor project will help drive regional economic, environmental and mobility improvements while providing vital service to transit-dependant residents along the route.

Source: Omnitrans