The following items are excerpted from news releases issued by California Transit Association members. If you are a member of the Association and would like to submit an item to be considered for inclusion in the Member News Library, please email your press releases to Managing Editor Stephanie Jordan (sjordan@freelancecomm.com). Photos and cutline information with your news release submissions, when possible, are encouraged.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
CCHCS NP/PA Residency Program Mask Dispensers Now Available On Metro Buses and Trains
Both LA Metro and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention require riders to wear face masks on public transit (except for those with a medical excuse). To make it easier for riders who may have forgotten or misplaced their masks, LA Metro is installing more than 2,000 mask dispensers on board its trains and buses, LA Metro Micro vehicles, and at LA Metro Rail stations. An initial 500 dispensers have been installed this month with another 500 in the weeks to come.
The dispensers are manufactured by BYD and they will be replenished daily. While the masks are available for anyone who needs one, riders are kindly requested to only take one at a time.
The installation of dispensers is a top priority for LA Metro and its Operations team is working hard to quickly install them all. LA Metro has also stepped up cleaning of buses and trains and is working to ensure adequate ventilation on its vehicles.
MTS Forwards Recommendations to Lower Youth Pass Cost and Allowing Free Transfers
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors this month recommended fare changes that would cut costs for Youth one-way fares and allow free transfers for one-way fares within two hours of the first boarding. The recommended changes will next go to the North County Transit District (NCTD) for its recommendation and then to the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Transportation Committee for final approval.
“This has been a tremendous process to involve the public and evolve a fare policy recommendation that will provide riders with many benefits and prioritize equity,” said Nathan Fletcher, MTS Board Chair, and Chair, San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “These fare changes are truly a reflection of what our communities want. I’d like to thank everyone who has been a part of this process, including the MTS Board of Directors, and I look forward to working with my colleagues at NCTD and SANDAG to move this forward.”
The MTS staff proposal included many recommendations to accommodate the new fare collection system PRONTO. Changes include:
- Adopt “best fare” functionality for PRONTO, allowing riders to earn day passes and monthly passes without paying for them upfront;
- Reduce Youth one-way fares from $2.50 to $1.25;
- Allow free transfers for one-way fares within two hours of the first boarding for riders with PRONTO accounts; and
- Fund revenue shortfalls through fiscal year (FY) 2024 with Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds through 2024.
If approved by NCTD and SANDAG, these changes would take effect when the Compass Card system is replaced by PRONTO in mid-2021.
What Will Next Generation High-Capacity Transit Look Like?
As Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) begins planning for what service will look like post-pandemic and beyond, one thing already being studied is the future of high-capacity transit, specifically light rail. The fact that the current fleet of 98 trains may reach the end of their useful life in approximately 10-12 years prompted a study by VTA last May to look at this topic. At a work session on February 19, the Board received an informational presentation of the study’s background, concepts for viable options, and their implications.
While this is merely a conceptual presentation without specific recommendations, it does pose an opportunity to consider possible new and innovative solutions with enough time to plan for what the future of light rail might look like.
Conceptual scenarios include continuing the service similar to today, but extending the useful life of the light rail fleet, while including the innovative approach to pilot autonomous technology. It is widely held that autonomous features will be incorporated into all modes of transportation in the near-to-medium future, a byproduct of self-driving car research. Such pilot programs would still require an operator on board and take five to 15 years to implement through a phased approach.
Another potential option is supplementing light rail service by integrating additional bus service, effectively reducing train operations. In this concept, current light rail right of way could be paved so buses and trains could operate in the same place at different times. For comparison purposes only, the study also mentions the option of decommissioning light rail altogether to build a transit-only right of way system, including elevated tracks. However, this approach was not recommended by the Capital Program Committee due to its multibillion-dollar cost in infrastructure investment, very long planning lead times, and major construction disruptions.
Each concept presents its own challenges and costs and findings of the study indicate that no single standard mode of transportation, either light rail or bus, stands out in meeting VTA’s capacity and frequency needs without significant infrastructure investment. The Board is receiving this as information and to provide additional feedback and direction on next steps.
Grant Will Fund Strategy to Attract Businesses That Create Jobs Near BART
As a new post-pandemic jobs landscape begins to take shape, BART will use a $350,000 federal grant to develop a strategy for attracting businesses that will create jobs near public transit. The transit-oriented development (TOD) planning grant from the Federal Transit Administration will focus on jobs along the line running from Fruitvale to Warm Springs/South Fremont, known as the A Line.
Cities such as Hayward, Union City and Fremont are very interested in partnering with BART on attracting employers near stations, said Kimberly Koempel, a Principal Planner at BART.
“And it works in BART’s favor if we can get people to jobs that are outside the city centers of San Francisco and Oakland,” she said. As COVID-19 restrictions ease and more people return to offices, utilizing reverse-commute capacity will help ease crowding on trains. “It’s a win-win for the cities and for BART.”
While nobody knows how COVID-19 will change the landscape of how and where people work in the long run, it’s clear that BART will continue to attract businesses, both small and large.
More about BART’s transit-oriented development program can be found here.
Metrolink Awarded $13.6M for Antelope Valley Line Railroad / Highway Safety Improvements
Metrolink recently announced it was awarded up to $13.6 million of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Section 130 Program Funds for safety improvements at four grade crossings along its Antelope Valley Line in the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster.
Metrolink, in partnership with Union Pacific Railroad and the Cities of Palmdale and Lancaster, will design and build safety enhancements to street crossings at Avenues J and K in the City of Lancaster, Avenue P in the City of Palmdale, and at Avenue M located within both cities.
“Safety is foundational at Metrolink and we are pleased to receive these vital funds to improve safety along one of our busiest rail corridors,” said Metrolink Board Chair and Glendale Councilmember Ara Najarian. “These improvements keep Metrolink on the leading edge by employing the newest engineering technologies and processes to enhance safety for riders, our employees and the communities we serve.”
Improvements include automatic pedestrian gates with emergency exit swing gates, pedestrian channelization, median widening and extension, modifications to the crossing warning system to provide additional advance preemption warning time and traffic signal modifications.
“Recognizing the critical importance of these safety improvements for our local residents and Metrolink riders, the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster along with Union Pacific Railroad will partner to ensure their successful completion, with each having responsibility for portions of the work,” said Metrolink Board Member and Fifth District Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
The $13.6 million will cover 100 percent of design and construction for Metrolink’s portion of the project. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) administering the Section 130 funds on behalf of FHWA will manage concurrent agreements with Union Pacific and the cities to complete all the work.
The FHWA Section 130 Program provides funds annually to eliminate hazards at railway and highway crossings nationwide. Since its inception in 1987, safety improvements funded by Section 130 have reduced fatalities at affected crossings by 57 percent.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is responsible for selecting grade crossings that are awarded funding for safety improvements each year throughout the state of California. Crossings compete statewide against all public railroad crossings within the state. This award for the four Metrolink crossings were awarded for the fiscal year 2019/2020 cycle of the FHWA Section 130 Program.
Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2023 and be completed within 18 months.
Preparing for a Post Pandemic Future, Tri Delta Transit Makes Modifications to Benefit Passengers
As vaccinations continue occurring throughout Contra Costa County, Tri Delta Transit has been working throughout the pandemic to better serve their passengers by making adjustments that will allow for the transit agency to continue operating in the best interests of the community.
On the COVID-19 front, Tri Delta Transit has implemented changes that will allow customers to take public transit in a manner that will limit their exposure, as much as possible. From an increase in personal protection equipment on all buses to contactless payment options, the transit agency made adjustments that, when passengers are ready to use public transit, will help to create a safe environment.
“The current pandemic created an opportunity for Tri Delta Transit to re-examine how we are going to provide our service into the future,” said Jeanne Krieg, Tri Delta Transit Chief Executive Officer. “By further investing into safety measures, we are making it clear that we will always operate with the best interests of our passengers in mind because being there for them will always be our goal.”
Additionally, to more seamlessly connect Tri Delta Transit riders with the rest of the Bay Area, the transit agency made minor scheduling changes. In doing so, Tri Delta Transit is seeking to alleviate missed connections with other Tri Delta Transit buses, and other transit agencies.
“Through these schedule adjustments, Tri Delta Transit is seeking to make timetable improvements that will allow for our passengers to reach their destinations seamlessly,” said Maria Arce, Chief Communications Officer for Tri Delta Transit. “As a transit agency, we are proud that we were able to make these schedule adjustments without cutting any routes, or the frequency of trips.”
New Study Finds SacRT’s Fare-Free for Youth Program Successful for Student Ridership
A new study released by the University of Texas, which evaluated the Sacramento Regional Transit District’s (SacRT) “RydeFreeRT” fare-free transit for youth program, found the innovative program achieved multiple key goals to increase transit ridership and school attendance.
In Sep. 2019, SacRT launched the RydeFreeRT program, which provides fare-free transit for youth in grades TK through 12. With RydeFreeRT, students and youth can ride the entire SacRT transit network for free.
The program is a result of SacRT Board Director and Sacramento City Councilmember Jay Schenirer’s effort to combat chronic absenteeism in schools and support young people’s overall success. The City of Sacramento made a $1 million investment in the initiative, signaling its continued efforts to increase positive outcomes for Sacramento youth. The program was extended for a second year through Sep. 30, 2021, and the City has committed to continue its investment annually.
The study, “RydeFreeRT Evaluation Study: User Demographics, Attitudes, and Impacts on Travel Behavior,” was funded by Sutter Health. Every three years, Sutter Health conducts Community Health Needs Assessments to determine the unique needs and challenges for each community Sutter serves. Sutter’s investments with the study directly connect to the priority area of basic needs, which includes supporting access to education, food security, housing, and economic security.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin administered and analyzed 5,600 student surveys before and after several months of the program’s implementation.
Key findings from the study include:
- Increased ridership: The study found a statistically significant increase in the share of students who report using SacRT to get to and from school, as well as a corresponding statistically significant decrease in the share of students reporting traveling to and from school in an automobile.
- This finding is in contrast to prior transportation research showing that, when fares are decreased or eliminated, new transit riders tend to be pulled from slower modes, such as walking and cycling, demonstrating that the program has potential to create a new generation of public transit riders.
- More access: Students who report using SacRT also report that they can more easily access important non-school destinations because of the RydeFreeRT program.
- Afterschool transportation: Many students who did not ride SacRT regularly to get to school report they are using public transit more to get to afterschool and non-school activities because of the RydeFreeRT program.
The RydeFreeRT program has been well received, pre-COVID-19, by February 2020, student ridership increased by 127 percent. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, students took advantage of the fare-free program as SacRT provided more than 1 million rides in 2020.
“We saw a huge jump in student ridership when we launched the fare-free transit program, proving there is a real need to get students to school and other activities throughout the region,” said SacRT General Manager/CEO Henry Li. “We are excited to see so many students take advantage of the program and hope to keep them as life-long transit riders.”
With distance learning and many community-based institutions temporarily closed to the public due to the pandemic, SacRT continues to find creative ways to communicate about the RydeFreeRT program by partnering with school districts and local organizations. In 2021, SacRT will expand outreach efforts to reach limited English speaking populations, as well as disadvantaged communities.
To view the full study and learn more about SacRT’s fare-free program for youth and students, visit rydefreert.com
OCTA’s Student Bus Pass Program Expands to Cypress College
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is introducing more students to the convenience and affordability of public transit by expanding its student bus pass program to Cypress College – a shared-cost program that allows enrolled students to travel free on any OC Bus fixed route.
The program started with the spring semester at Cypress last month. Full-time and part-time students have access to unlimited rides on all OC Bus local routes. Cypress students now enjoy a free, comfortable ride while avoiding parking costs and hassles and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment.
“The college pass program is one of OCTA’s most successful transit initiatives in recent years,” said OCTA Chairman Andrew Do, also the county’s First District Supervisor. “It introduces students to the convenience and benefits of public transit. At the same time, it knocks down a key barrier – the high cost of transportation – that can prevent students from achieving their dreams. I’m proud to have Cypress College on board as we help expand access to higher education.”
OCTA is expanding on the success of the program, which began at Santa Ana College in 2017. The program has helped increase ridership, introduced new riders to public transit and removes barriers to higher education for students, some who say they wouldn’t be able to attend college without it.
The college program allows full-time and part-time students enrolled at the colleges to download a pass via the OC Bus app, helping them to get to school, to work, or wherever the bus travels across Orange County. The OC Bus app passes renew each semester upon enrollment.
The Cypress College Student Bus Pass is a three-year pilot program. Funding for the first year is provided through a grant OCTA was awarded from state cap-and-trade funds, available through the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program. For the second and third year, the program cost will be covered by a small registration fee paid for by all students.
Based on the student pass program’s initial success, beginning with a pilot project at Santa Ana College and the School of Continuing Education, OCTA looked at opportunities to expand the program to other Orange County campuses. In 2018, OCTA expanded the program to Santiago Canyon College in Orange, and then to Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Fullerton College, and Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.
A survey of students at Santa Ana College where the program began showed that, overall, 86 percent were satisfied with the college pass. Nearly 70 percent of those who rode the bus to school chose to also ride OC Bus to other destinations, and 96 percent said using the pass helps them achieve their educational goals.
Although bus ridership has fallen during the COVID-19 pandemic, OC Bus continues with a modified schedule – about 60 percent of normal service – to help riders reach essential jobs, appointments, and other important destinations.
TRANSIT PEOPLE AND HAPPENINGS
Million Mile Coach Operators Receive Award for Safe Driving Record
Each year, a finite group of Omnitrans coach operators join an exclusive club for their safe driving record – the coveted Million Mile Club. These coach operators have successfully logged 25,000 driving hours over 12 years without a preventable accident. This means they have driven the distance of a round-trip from here to the moon, twice, accident-free.
The safety of customers and employees is a top priority, and this group of operators was recognized by the Board of Directors this month for their commitment to providing safe and reliable transportation to residents, commuters, and visitors in the San Bernardino County region.
The 2021 recipients of the One Million Mile Club awards are: Gloria Bell, Laura Bronson, Darnell Frierson, Semira Hussien, James Plascencia, and Juan Sipres. They receive a cash prize, commemorative Omnitrans hat, embroidered Million Mile jacket, nameplate for their coach, plaque, and belt buckle, a certificate, and an additional day off with pay.
“Achieving this milestone takes continuous effort and skill to sustain safe driving performance over a lengthy period,” says Director of Operations Shawn Brophy. “Operating a transit vehicle over the past 12 years has required dynamic adaptability to technology changes, ever-increasing traffic congestion, and multitasking while maintaining professional customer service as a focus.”
Omnitrans congratulates these dedicated operators on earning this distinction.
Hartnett Honored with Ray LaHood Award from WTS Organization
San Mateo County Transit District General Manager/CEO Jim Hartnett has been selected as the winner of the 2021 Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) San Francisco Bay Area Chapter's Honorable Ray LaHood Award. LaHood served as the 16th United States Secretary of Transportation from 2009 to 2013 under President Barack Obama.
This award is given in recognition of Hartnett’s exemplary work, efforts, and initiatives in facilitating professional opportunities for women and minorities. The award honors those who have made significant contributions to promoting diversity, inclusion, and multicultural awareness within their organization and the transportation industry.
“I am so honored and appreciative of this award from such an outstanding leadership group,” said Hartnett of receiving the LaHood award. “This is a recognition of our entire organization. I am very proud of our diverse, eclectic work force. We are driven to success by diversity at every level of our organization, and I could not be happier to represent them.”
Under Hartnett’s leadership, the Transit District has been an ardent supporter of WTS by supporting a number of District employees as members of the WTS organization, including a number of key staff who are women and/or minorities at the organization. To celebrate this achievement, Hartnett will be honored by the WTS San Francisco Bay Area Chapter at its annual event, which will be hosted virtually later this year.
Hartnett also was recognized in 2019 as one of the “Most Admired CEOs” in the San Francisco Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times.