Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Riverside Transit Agency Attn: Route Change Comments 1825 Third St. Post Box 59968 Riverside, CA 92517-1968 92507-3416 Re: 2009 Route Changes To Whom It May Concern: Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment upon the proposed 2009 service changes. Our community based nonprofit organization has analyzed the possible route alterations and we have attached a report with recommendations for your consideration. We recognize the needs of Riverside Transit to adjust utilization of resources to maximize service hours to the community, while reducing unproductive service. We do have a number of concerns, suggestions and recommendations that we present in the accompanying report. As an organization that works to improve public transportation and mobility in conjunction with land use planning, we believe implementation of our comments will help to improve and to streamline transit service in the affected communities. Thank you for your support. Sincerely yours, Nicholas Ventrone Community Engagement Director Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D. President Riverside Field : 33445 Barrington Drive * Temecula, CA 92592-9171 * V: 951-302-5917 * C: 951-775-3739 Corporate: Post Box 567 * San Fernando, CA 91341-0567 * V: 818.367.16 * F: 818.364.2508 * www.transitcoalition.org The Transit Coalition (a project of SEE) is a nonprofit public charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501[c](3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Murrieta Rd y Bl chanto Rd Recommendations on Improvements to Riverside Transit Agency 2009 Route Changes OAK VALLEY TOWN SUPER REGIONAL (PROPOSED) Yucaipa Bl 7 YUCAIPA County Line Rd Roberts Rd Cherry Valley Bl 7th St Ave E Calimesa Bl CHAMPIONS DR 4A & CHERRY VALLEY BL 5 6th St Singleton Rd Desert Lawn Dr 4 Champions Dr 6 Productive Public Transit in Calimesa: Local Bus Route Operated by Pass Transit and the City of Calimesa. Route 36 would be locally funded and operated by the City of Calimesa in conjunction with Pass Transit. In addition, the route would be realigned to serve more activity centers within the Beaumont area and the proposed Oak Valley Regional Town. California St CALIMESA SENIOR BEAUMONT PLANTATION ON THE LAKE MHP DOWNTOWN Oak View Dr 3 2 B YUCAIPA & 4TH Omnitrans: 8, 9 Cherry Valley Bl Pen SUNDAN ct ng Den. sing Den. sing Bl Cherry Hills Bl Sun City Bl 27 Weekend 74 Mon-Fri & & Sun City Library Sun City Gardens Route 27 East to Hemet (Weekend Sun City Convalescent Nursing Home America's Best Value Shadel Rd Super 8 Motel Cost-effective Connections Between Perris, Sun City, and Hemet, Seven Days per Week: Regional Route 74 would connect the Sun City area with Perris and Hemet during the week, and Route 27 would continue to provide connections between these three regions on weekends. Menifee Valley Medical M T Ho TABLE OF CONTENTS Route 10, 14 2 Route 14, 16, 18, 18A, 19 2 Route 17, 35 3 Route 3, 38 4 Route 38E 5 Route 36 5 Route 27, 40,, 74 6 Route 7, 8, 8A 7 Route 33, 42 7 Span of Service Reductions 7
Perris Bl Frederick St Day St Lasselle St Perris Bl Heacock St Heacock St 4th St Kitching Recommendations on RTA 2009 Route Changes Page 2 CITY OF RIVERSIDE Routes 10, 14 Exhibit 1: RTA Route 10 & 14 Route Changes We do not oppose the proposed realignments of Route 10 and Route 14 as shown in Exhibit 1. We also do not oppose the cancelation of Route 14 service east of the Downtown Terminal under the condition that timed transfers are offered at the Downtown Terminal. Exhibit 2: RTA Route 16, 18, 18A, and 19 Route Changes Big 5 Ralphs Groc. Distribution Ampac Tire Sycamore Cyn Bl 20 Alessandro Bl Transit ; CA HSR Station 27 16 Wal-Mart Sam s Club Wild Oats & Ind. New Star Motel CA HSR Metrolink Riverside National Cemetery Sunnymead Bl Eucalyptus Av Eucalyptus Av 212 18A MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE March Field Air Museum I-215 Motel 7 Ironwood Av Cottonwood Av Cactus Av JFK Dr Iris Av 18 19 Best Western The Home Depot Holiday Econo Regency Housin Lodge Travel Comfort Housi Mall at Towngate Mixed Use Village / Senior Costco Downtown Area 35 Eucalyptus Towers Senior School Industrial Thor California & Light Ind. & g The Home Depot 18A Fir Av Library Krameria 41 Ale MORENO VALLEY Routes 16, 18, 18A, 19 We oppose the cancelation of Route 16 service south of the Mall due to the resulting loss of the direct connection to Route 20. We suggest Wal-Mart rerouting the southern portion of Route 16 to Day St. between the Mall to the present southern terminal as illustrated in Exhibit 2 to maintain direct connections to Route 20 and the Thor California/ Towngate Industrial areas. We support the proposed restructure of Route 18, conditioned that the route offer bidirectional service. We further suggest renumbering this route to avoid passenger confusion with Route 18A. We support the proposed realignment of Route 19. Industrial Area Specific Plan Walgreens Distribution Distribution Lasselle St Rancho Verde School
Moreno Beach Dr Theodore Av Redlands Bl Nason St Perris Bl Frederick St Day St Lasselle St Oliver St Perris Bl Heacock St Heacock St 4th St Kitching Recommendations on RTA 2009 Route Changes Page 3 MORENO VALLEY (continued) Route 17, 35 Exhibit 3: RTA Route 17 Given its low PIP performance levels and the availability of replacement service, we support the Route 17 proposal, conditioned that Route 35 is realigned to replace the eastern portion of the route as proposed (illustrated in Exhibit 4). We also support the proposed realignment of Route 35, but suggest routing between Perris Bl. and Mall via Sunnymead Bl. rather than the proposed route via the SR-60 Freeway to provide direct connections to additional activity centers including the new mixed-use developments within The Village downtown development project as illustrated in Exhibit 4. This should further improve Route 35 productivity. We however oppose the proposal to cancel all Route 35 Saturday Service due to the resulting loss of weekend service to two large retail centers and the Wal-Mart Supercenter in the northeast portion of as well as weekend connections to the Beaumont and Banning areas. Given RTA's budget constraints, we believe Route 35 is the only bus route that can productively serve the Super Wal-Mart and Super Target shopping center areas at the eastern portion of the city. While we understand that low PIP performance levels could make the proposed cancelation in weekend service necessary, we urge staff to work with Pass Transit and the Council members of the, Beaumont and Banning areas to find replacement weekend service as Route 35 is the only public bus route that connects the Pass Area to on weekends. We request RTA to continue operating the full service until alternative service can be negotiated. Exhibit 4: Suggested Routing for RTA Route 35 Big 5 Ralphs Groc. Distribution Ampac Tire Sycamore Cyn Bl 20 Wild Oats Ironwood Av Sunnymead Bl Fir Av Eucalyptus Av Eucalyptus Av Eucalyptus Av Cottonwood Av Alessandro Bl Alessandro Bl Alessandro Bl Transit ; CA HSR Station 27 CA HSR Metrolink Riverside National Cemetery 212 18A & Light Ind. & MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE g March Field Air Museum Cactus Av JFK Dr Iris Av 18 16 Best Western The Home Depot Holiday Econo Regency Lodge Travel 210 Comfort Mall at Towngate Mixed Use Village / Senior Costco Downtown Area 35 Eucalyptus Towers Senior School Wal-Mart Sam s Club & Ind. New Star Motel Industrial Thor California Motel 7 The Home Depot Library 18A Krameria 20 Riverside County Regional Medical Vista del Lago Community School Hospital Valley View School Riverside Community College Wal-Mart Toll Plaza SR 60 Cactus Av Industrial/ Distribution s 35 210 Alessandro Bl Gilman Springs Rd
Harrison Av California Av Temescal Av Hammer Av Temescal Av Interstate 15 Hammer Av Archibald Av Recommendations on RTA 2009 Route Changes Page 4 NORCO, MIRA LOMA Route 3, 38 Exhibit 5: RTA Route 38, 38E We do not oppose to the proposal to replace Route 38 with a more productive bus route, but have strong concerns in regards to the mismatched service levels along the proposed rerouting of Route 3. Since Route 3 currently operates every 35 minutes and Route 38 currently operates approximately every 60 minutes, we believe this proposal will result in higher service in the Mira Loma area than currently warranted given the current issues with RTA's operating budget. We also find cancelling all bus service via 6th St. through Old Town Norco to be very undesirable. This is one of the more active streets in Norco. We believe the presence of the office and commercial centers warrant transit service along 6th St. We therefore oppose the Route 3 proposal. We suggest that Route 38 be canceled as proposed, Route 3 continue to be operated at 35 minute intervals between the southern endpoint and Hammer & 6th Streets in Norco, with an eastward extension to Arlington & La Sierra Avenues via 6th Street every 70 minutes, and a northward alternative weekday only Route 3A extension north to Mira Loma to replace Route 38 as illustrated in Exhibit 6A. We also strongly recommend an extension from Swan Lake MHP to the Country Village transfer point be considered via Bellegrave Ave to provide better connections to Omnitrans as illustrated in Exhibit 6B. We also oppose the proposal to cancel Route 3 Saturday service, due to the resulting loss of weekend service to several activity centers on the Hammer Ave corridor. We suggest that staff work with the council members of the City of Norco and the City of Corona which operates the Corona Cruiser bus system and negotiate replacement service if low PIP performance levels make this proposal necessary. Exhibit 6B: Suggested Route 3A Extension Exhibit 6A: Suggested Routing for RTA Route 3 to Country Village Transfer Point Schleisman Rd Chandler St Saturday: 70 minutes River Rd Archibald St Corydon Av Suggested Headways & Days of Service for Route 3 Route 3 Branch Norco-West Riverside Weekdays: 70 minutes Route 3A Branch Norco-Mira Loma Weekdays: 70 minutes Route 3 + 3A Trunk Corona-Norco via Hammer Av. Weekdays: 35 minutes Saturday: 70 minutes Rincon St School River Rd 3A 70 min Riverside Community College - Norco Lincoln Av Citrus St Norco Dr 3rd St Corona Cruiser Senior NAVAL WARFARE ASSESSMENT CORONA DIVISION 3+3A 35 min Hammer Av Distribution Park & Ride Silverlakes Equestrian Sports Park () 2nd St 3+3A 35 min 4th St & Hidden Valley Pkwy B & E Feed & Supply Norco Senior School 6th St 5th St Norco Hills Rd 3 70 min Parkway Dr R Hou H Hig Dens Hous Riverside Dr 65th St Citrus St MULBERRY AVE & MARLAY AVE RTA: 21, 3A, 49; Omnitrans: 82 SUGGEST FUTURE EXTENSION TO CHINO TRANS Summer Av 68th St Marlay Av Philadelphia St Cantu Galleano Ranch Rd JURUPA VALLEY EASTVALE GATEWAY Pats Ranch Rd 3A 29 MEDIUM Etiwanda Av SUGGEST INTERLINE WITH ROUTE 3 AND EXTEND TO CORONA TRANSIT Bellegrave Av Martin St Mulberry Av Lindsay St Van Buren Bl Limonite Av TO FONTANA METROLINK, ONTARIO MILLS, AND RANCHO CUCAMONGA VIA ROUTE 82. SUGGEST ROUTE 49, 204 FUTURE EXTENSION TO ONTARIO AIRPORT Jurupa Rd BUSINESS OFFICE 21 PEDLEY METROLINK STATION ME Pedley Rd RETA CENTE TO GALLERIA AT TYLER
NORCO, MIRA LOMA (continued) Route 38E Recommendations on RTA 2009 Route Changes Page 5 We do not oppose the cancellation of Route 38E given its low PIP performance levels, however we suggest that RTA advise riders to use Routes 21 or 29 to connect to Metrolink at the Pedley Metrolink Station and Route 21 or 49 to the Country Village transfer point for connections to Omnitrans as alternatives as illustrated in Exhibit 6B. CALIMESA, YUCAIPA Route 36 Exhibit 7: Current Routing for Route 36 and identified issues: We strongly oppose and question the logic of the reintroduction of the proposal to cancel Route 36, since last year it has been rejected by the City of Calimesa, rejected by dozens of bus riders at an RTA public hearing, and subsequently averted twice in the past. While we understand that low PIP performance levels could make the proposed cancelation necessary, we urge staff to work with Omnitrans, Pass Transit and the Council members of the Beaumont, Banning, and Calimesa areas to find replacement service and we request RTA to continue operating Route 36 until alternative service can be negotiated. At present, Route 36 is the only source of public transportation in the Calimesa area and we believe the demographics of the area warrant public transportation. As we have recommended last year, we suggest that the route be turned over to Pass Transit and be realigned to serve more activity centers in the Beaumont area and the proposed Oak Valley Regional Town to improve productivity as illustrated in Exhibit 8. Exhibit 8: Suggested Routing for Route 36, potentially operated by Pass Transit with a transfer agreement: OAK VALLEY TOWN SUPER REGIONAL (PROPOSED) Yucaipa Bl 7 YUCAIPA County Line Rd Roberts Rd 7th St Ave E Cherry Valley Bl Calimesa Bl CHAMPIONS DR 4A & CHERRY VALLEY BL 5 6th St Singleton Rd Desert Lawn Dr 4 Champions Dr 6 California St CALIMESA SENIOR PLANTATION ON THE LAKE MHP way 60 BEAUMONT Interstate 10 DOWNTOWN Oak View Dr BEAUMONT AV & COUGAR Pass Transit: 2, 3, 4 3 2 Beaumont Av YUCAIPA & 4TH Omnitrans: 8, 9 Cherry Valley Bl Pennsylvania Ave WAL-MART SUPER 2nd St 1st St SUNDANCE Commerce Wy Xenia land Springs Av Brookside Av Cougar Wy Oak Valley Pkwy Starlight Av 8th St 6th St SAN GORGONIO HOSPITAL 1 SUN LAKES COUNTRY CLUB Interstate 10 SUN LAKES VILLAGE Pass Transit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; RTA: 31, 35
I-215 Bradley Rd Enchanto Rd Sun City Bl Murrieta Rd Menifee Rd Lidenberger Rd Bradley Rd Murrieta Rd I-215 Antelope Rd Recommendations on RTA 2009 Route Changes Page 6 MENIFEE - SUN CITY AREA Routes 27, 40,, 74 Exhibit 9: Mismatched Hours of Service Between Route 40 & Connecting Route : We do not oppose the proposal to cancel Route 40 service east of the Sun City, conditioned that timed transfers between Route 40 and Route 74 can be made available at the Sun City during peak traffic hours at Mt. San Jacinto College. However, to our understanding, we have also noticed that Route 40 riders were advised to transfer to Route for trips east of the Sun City. We strongly urge that upon implementation of the Route 40 proposal, RTA advise riders to transfer to Route 74 instead of Route. We believe that the Route 40 and connections are unworkable during the morning rush hour due to mismatched service hours as illustrated in Exhibit 9. We strongly object to the proposal to remove the Sun City bus stop from Route 27. Although, the proposal will greatly streamline and improve weekday productivity on Routes 27 and 74, Route 74 does not operate on weekends; thus the Sun City area would be left without any public transportation on weekends under this proposal. We believe the demographics of the Sun City area warrant weekend public transportation service. We suggest as illustrated in Exhibit 10 that Route 27 bypass Sun City as proposed on weekdays only and that weekend Route 27 trips continue to serve the Sun City area until RTA has enough resources to introduce weekend service on Route 74. Exhibit 10: Existing RTA Days of Bus Service and Suggested Routing in Sun City McCall Bl Cherry Hills Bl Sun City Bl Senior 27 Weekend 74 Mon-Fri & & Sun City Library 40 74 Mon-Fri Sun City Convalescent Nursing Home America's Best Value Shadel Rd Super 8 Motel Sun City Gardens Route 74 North to Perris (M-F); Route 27 North to Perris, Riverside (Weekend); Route 27 East to Hemet (Weekend) I-215 CA HSR Menifee Valley Medical Antelope Rd McCall Bl Simpson Rd Existing Days of Bus Service in Sun City Route 40 - Weekdays Only Route 27 - Daily Route - Weekdays Only Route 74 - Weekdays Only Route - Weekday Rush Hours Only 74 Mon-Fri Matthews Rd Route 27 Suggestion for Sun City bus stop: Since Route 74 does not run on weekends, Route 27 should continue to serve the Sun City bus stop during the weekend. Domenigoni Pkwy Route 74 East to Hemet (M-F) Newport Rd 40 Newport Rd Mt. San Jacinto College - Menifee
Recommendations on RTA 2009 Route Changes Page 7 LAKE ELSINORE Routes 7, 8, 8A Exhibit 11: RTA Changes for Routes 7 & 8: We support the overall base route realignments of Route 7 and Route 8 (Exhibit 11) conditioned that timed transfers between Routes 40, 7, and 8 can be made available at the Malaga & Mission Trail transfer point. However, we oppose the proposal to cancel Route 7 service along the Auto and Casino Drive Corridors. This corridor is served by office, commercial, lodging, and high density housing activity centers. We request that RTA continue to provide transit via this corridor with Route 7, Route 8, or Route 40. We also object to the proposal to remove the alternative Route 8A deviation from Machado St, again due to the resulting loss of transit service in the affected residential areas which includes medium and high density units. HEMET Routes 33, 42 We support the proposal of interlining the headways of Route 33 and 42. PROPOSED SPAN OF SERVICE REDUCTIONS Routes 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 21, 23, 24, 29, 30, 33,, 210 After examining and comparing bus schedules of other transit agencies, RTA service area demographics, and the RTA COA Report, we have taken specific posistions on the following proposed reductions: Route 24: We have strong concerns regarding the Route 24 proposal to remove its two early morning rush hour trips. Route 24 is currently the only bus route that will serve the new Temecula Medical hospital, the expanded Super Wal-Mart in Southern Temecula, and the Summerhouse senior housing complex which will include high density affordable housing units should the City of Temecula complete this development. Exhibit 12 illustrates the locations of each of these. We suggest RTA work with the Temecula City Council and the private sector to find additional funding to maintain existing service levels. We have also been informed that two bus turnouts on Wolf Valley Rd, served by Route 24, have been constructed, yet lack RTA bus stop signs. We have also noted that the following major cross-streets along the route are missing bus stops for northbound buses: Front St & Temecula Pkwy, and Front St & Santiago Rd. We further request that these stops be added for Route 24 riders. Route, 210: We suggest that the northbound 3:32 AM trip for Route from Temecula instead start revenue service at 4:06 AM at the 4th & Wikerson stop to improve its productivity. We however object to the remaining proposed reductions to the Route and 210 CommuterLink service mainly due to the resulting lost of connections to/from Metrolink and rapid ridership increases in relationship to the unstable fuel market. Regarding the proposed span of service reductions for the remaining routes, we believe that the reductions will be too problematic for bus riders who rely on early morning rush hour or evening service. We believe that most of the proposed reductions cut too deep either into the AM rush hour or evening. We therefore object to these reductions. In lieu of cutting the span of service, we recommend reducing the service frequency following the evening rush hour and working with the local city councils and private sector to find additional funding to maintain existing service levels. Exhibit 12: Existing and Activity s in Southern Temecula with long term bus route suggestions Temecula Medical Magarita Rd act using Senior & Via Rio Temecula Rd & & Park Park Meadows Pkwy () Park Mixed Use Village Wal-Mart Temecula HISTORIC VAIL RANCH Med. Overland Tr Campanula Rd R Li & Light Ind. Killarney's Restaurant & Irish Pub