October Bus Ridership Highest on Record

San Bernardino, CA–People climbed aboard Omnitrans buses in record numbers during October, with over 1.5 million trips tallied. Along with surpassing the previous top ridership month mark set in October 2001, the transit agency also set a new high for a single day on October 3 with over 68,000 boardings.The month began strong, boosted by promotional efforts tied to Southern California “Rideshare Week” (October 1 -5) which happened to coincide with spiking gasoline prices in California. Boardings jumped 17.5 percent in that first week compared to 2011.  In the end October 2012 finished 9.4 percent ahead of last year.

“We offered a free ride coupon online for Rideshare Week, the same as we have done since 2009,” said Director of Marketing Wendy Williams. “But this year coupon redemption nearly tripled.”

Even after gasoline prices eased and the free ride promotion ended, passenger boardings have remained brisk.  Omnitrans weekday ridership averaged 58,928 for the month.  November seems to be keeping pace with over 65,000 passengers transported on the first day of the month.

“I believe our record ridership demonstrates that people are looking for economical and environmentally friendly transportation.  When people try Omnitrans, they find out we offer great service—on time, friendly drivers, clean buses—and then they keep riding,” said Omnitrans CEO/General Manager Milo Victoria.

Route and schedule information is available online at www.omnitrans.org or by phone at 1-800-966-6428.

Top Five Ridership Months

Month/Year	Fixed Route Ridership
October 2012	1,547,378
October 2001	1,543,869
October 2002	1,484,943
October 2008	1,466,470
August 2001	1,440,920

October Ridership 2008-2012

Month/Year	Fixed Route Ridership
October 2012	1,547,378
October 2011	1,414,348
October 2010	1,268,644
October 2009	1,315,612
October 2008	1,466,470

Omni Kids Go Green!

Tori B. shared this colorful bus with us, complete with driver and passengers. We love the green leaf on the wheel!

At Omnitrans, we support our environment by going green wherever possible. Our bus fleet runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of diesel which reduces particulate matter (PM) emissions by more than 80%. Our agencey Green Team is constantly looking for new and more efficient ways to help our offices reduce, reuse and recycle.

Recently children of some of our employees sent us drawings they made that showed Omnitrans as an earth-friendly agency. We thought we’d share them with you. Enjoy!

Has your child created an Omnitrans themed drawing? We’d love to see it. You can share with us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/omnitrans or email us at juno.carlson@omnitrans.org.

Samantha G. shows how Omnitrans green practices are helping to create a happy and environmentally healthy world.

 

Tori B. turned our new logo into a nicely rounded tree!Tori B. also came up with her own green-themed “O” for “Omnitrans.”

 

sbX Construction Alert for October 15-19

The sbX weekly construction update lists the places, dates, times and details of construction activity currently taking place in San Bernardino in preparation for the sbX bus rapid transit project.

Kendall Drive and Palm Avenue Park-and-Ride-Facility

• Parameters: South of Kendall Drive and Palm Avenue intersection
• Day Work: Mon. – Fri. from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
• Specifics: Installation of lighting poles
• LANE CLOSURE: No traffic control in effect

CSUSB

• Parameters: New bus station location on campus
• Day Work: Mon. – Fri. from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
• Specifics: Landscaping activities
• LANE CLOSURE: No traffic control in effect.

Marshall Blvd. Park-and-Ride Facility

• Parameters: Northeast & northwest corners of E Street and Marshall Blvd.
• Day Work: Mon. – Fri. from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
• Specifics: Curb, bus pad and gutter work, electrical activities
• LANE CLOSURE: Traffic control in effect

E Street

• Parameters: Select locations between 10th Street and Hospitality Lane
• Day Work: Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
• Night Work: Mon. – Fri. from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. nightly
• Specifics: Driveway, curb, gutter and sidewalk work continues, including sidewalk removal between Church and 2nd Streets, traffic signal activities, electrical activities, landscaping activities.
• Please note: On Monday, October 8, parking along the west side of E Street between 6th and 2nd Streets was eliminated to accommodate construction activities.
• LANE CLOSURE: Traffic control in effect along E Street between 10th Street and Rialto Avenue.

 Hospitality Lane

• Parameters: Select locations between E Street and Tippecanoe Avenue
• Night Work: Mon. – Fri. from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Intermittent Day Work
• Specifics: Driveway, curb and gutter work continues,  electrical activities, street light activities, landscaping activities.
• LANE CLOSURE: Traffic control in effect along Hospitality Lane between E Street and Tippecanoe Avenue.

 Various Bus Station Locations

• Parameters: Little Mountain Drive, Shandin Hills Drive, Marshall Boulevard, Highland Avenue, Baseline Street
• Day Work: Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
• Night Work: Mon. – Fri. from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. nightly
• Specifics: Platform structure activities such as erecting structure steel and rebar placement. storm drain activities.
• LANE CLOSURE: Traffic control in effect at some locations.

To establish a safe work environment for crews and the public, the construction crew has implemented traffic control measures that allow for at least one lane in each direction to be open during construction. Maintaining access to businesses is a high priority as part of this project. As such, signage is placed throughout the corridor to inform the public that they are open for business.

About sbX
The sbX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project is the first-of-its kind express service to be constructed in the Inland Empire. It is the beginning of an intermodal public transit system in the San Bernardino Valley that will help reduce vehicle congestion while providing the public an environmentally friendly alternative that is sophisticated, cost effective, and time efficient.

The 15.7-mile corridor spans between northern San Bernardino and Loma Linda. It will include 16 art-inspired stations at key university, government, business, entertainment and medical centers as well as four park-and-ride facilities.

Visit the Omnitrans sbX Facebook page!
http://facebook.com/omnitrans.sbx

Public transit trial gains a new rider for Omnitrans

Being a one-car family when you have to juggle appointments, schools and job can be challenging, but ridesharing can definitely make things a bit easier. Silas Molina, an Eligibility Worker for the County of San Bernardino, lives in Mentone with his wife Anne and their four children. For the past 2 1/2 years he’s been carpooling to the office in the morning with a co-worker, and his family has been picking him up in the afternoon.

When his co-worker went out on vacation a couple of weeks ago, Silas was forced to look for an alternative means of transportation. “It was impossible for my wife to drop me off in the mornings because she had to get the kids to school. My only other option was to take the bus. So I started riding Omnitrans.”

The experience was nothing like what he had expected. “I was intimidated at first,” he admitted. “I expected tons of people and long travel times. But it worked out really well. It takes me exactly one hour to get to work every day, and the bus has always been on time. The trip is pleasant, and I can read, listen to music or even work on my computer.”

In fact, his experience has been so good that Silas has made the decision to continue to use Omnitrans for the ride home once his co-worker returns.

“My wife and I calculated the expense and realized that it cost us $6 a day just for her to pick me up from work,” Silas explained. “And it’s also more convenient for her to be able to stay home with the kids in the afternoon. The bus has been a positive experience for me, and the one-hour ride isn’t bad. I’ll generally listen to NPR or take a short nap. It’s a good way to decompress from work before going home to be with my family. And you can’t beat the savings!”

Do you like this story and want to use it for your blog or newsletter? All our stories may be freely re-posted and shared with others!

Do you have a great Omnitrans story to share? Let us know!
Email Juno Kughler Carlson at  juno.carlson@omnitrans.org

Coupon Queen loves saving through Rideshare

While having a car is sometimes more convenient, the expenses involved in gas and upkeep are often overwhelming. As a result, it’s becoming more common for people to opt for public transit over expensive vehicle repairs when their cars have problems.

LaToia Jones, an eligibility worker for the County of San Bernardino, decided to let go of her old Ford Taurus when it broke down two years ago. She’s been ridesharing ever since, relying on a combination of riding the bus and carpooling with co-workers.

“I live out near Tyler Mall in Riverside, so I use both Riverside Transit and Omnitrans to get back and forth to work,” said LaToia. “I love Omnitrans because of the frequency. It generally runs every 15-30 minutes which makes it very easy to get where I need to go quickly.”

But it’s the savings that matters most to this county worker. “Driving the 91 was always ugly during rush hour and took forever,” said LaToia. “It used to cost me $80 to $100 a week in gas when I was driving. Now I pay that in a month. It’s a huge savings.”

Pinching pennies is a passion for this busy mom of two, who is always on the lookout for a great deal. “Couponing is a hobby with me, and I’ve gotten very good at finding free things online for my family and friends. Times are hard for everyone, so every little bit helps. I love saving money!”

Riding Omnitrans has not only been a boon to her budget, it’s also forged unexpected connections with regular passengers and coach operators along her route. One of the drivers shares her love of cooking and occasionally swaps recipes with her. “I told her I’d never had tamales before so she gave me the recipe to try. Once she even surprised me with a plate of cookies she’d baked for me,” LaToia said, smiling. “Things like that mean a lot.”

Do you like this story and want to use it for your blog or newsletter? All our stories may be freely re-posted and shared with others!

Do you have a great Omnitrans story to share? Let us know!
Email Juno Kughler Carlson at  juno.carlson@omnitrans.org

Pizza anyone?

Earlier this week, Marice Penida and her family climbed on board Omnitrans with five boxes of Little Caesars pizza they were bringing home for dinner. Both the bus driver and passengers grinned and teased “You bought us all pizza!”

“We do have a lot of fun with our drivers and the regulars,” laughs Marice. “My husband and I got to talking about it afterwards. We decided that, if we ever win the lotto, we want to buy a huge stack of pizzas and hand them out to everyone on the route.”

We love the thought, Marice–as long as people remember there’s no eating on the bus! What impresses us even more is when you say you’ll still ride the bus if you win the lotto.

“We really are a green family,” she says seriously. “That won’t ever change. And we love riding Omnitrans.”

Rider Alert: Detour for Route 8

Route 8 will have to detour due to construction on the westbound trip. Detour is in effect until approximately 3:00 p.m.

From Lugonia:

• Right on Dearborn
• Left on San Bernardino
• Left on Church
• Right on Lugonia
• Resume normal route

San Bernardino Transit Center: a closer look

Please click photo above for expanded view.

Several of you were interested in a a closer look at the site plan for the San Bernardino Transit Center, so we’re posting a more detailed version. Keep in mind that these plans are only 15% and are subject to change. The design and construction is being managed by the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG). Construction is tentatively set to begin in June 2013. The project is expected to be open by September 2014, but the bus bays will be open by January 2014 for transfers with sbX.

Right now the building is about 17,000 square feet and will include:

• Customer service area
• Public restrooms
• Security
• Operator break room and restrooms
• Public meeting rooms and training center
• Two small retail spaces (empty shells)
• Maintenance area
• Bike center (with secure bike parking, repairs, and possible short-term rentals)

What do you think of the plans for the new transit center?

A view from the Omnitrans bus yard

It’s a beautiful day in San Bernardino! Snapped a few photos of the bus yard this morning to share. Click the pictures for a full size view.

Omnitrans awarded $5.3 million for transit center

Click photo for larger view.

Draft plan for the San Bernardino Transit Center. The design and construction of the transit center project is being led by the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG). 

In a press release today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) congratulated Omnitrans on its award of a $5.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), for the construction of a new bus facility in San Bernardino, California. The funding, which is part of the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus Livability grants program, will be used to construct a 22 bus bay complex as part of the San Bernardino Transit Center.

“I congratulate Omnitrans for their efforts in securing this critical federal grant assistance,” said Rep. Baca. “I was proud to lend my support to this responsible grant request. Construction of a new bus bay at the San Bernardino Transit Center will help to reduce congestion for Inland residents, and improve the overall quality of life in our communities.”

The San Bernardino Transit Center will use the awarded funds to construct a bus facility comprised of 22 bus bays with shelters and real-time bus arrival information for passengers. The facility will also include a transit station building with public restrooms and meeting rooms, a bike station with secure bike parking and short-term rental services, food vending, bike and pedestrian paths, public art, and street improvements.

Rep. Baca sent a letter of support to the Department of Transportation in March of 2012, urging the Federal Transit Administration to successfully award Omnitrans’ grant request.

“Better investment in our nation’s infrastructure is imperative to the success of our economic recovery,” concluded Rep. Baca. “This funding will improve public transportation for all area residents, while also helping to get more cars off the road to ease congestion and improve air quality for Inland residents. I will continue to work so that Inland communities have access to vital grant assistance made available by the federal government.”