Short Range Transit Plan 2008-2013 - Omnitrans

IBI GROUP
SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN REPORT
OMNITRANS COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT
& SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN
Fleet Communications and GPS Procurement
In FY 2003, Siemens Transportations Systems, Inc. was awarded the contract for the installation of a
fleet-wide (fixed route and paratransit) communication and on-line real time management control and
reporting/information system. The procurement included voice/data communications equipment for
directly operated, contracted fixed route and paratransit revenue fleets, GPS technology, and automatic
vehicle location. It also included a schedule adherence monitoring system, an audio and visual
annunciator system that utilizes GPS technology, and automatic passenger counters. This project has
improved service efficiencies, provided valuable and diverse data through GPS technology, assisted in
ensuring the safety and security of its employees and passengers, aided in appropriate emergency
response time, and enhanced communications throughout the fleet. The system’s complete installation
date was July 1, 2007.
Future Transit Investment Study
A Future Transit Investment Study (FTIS) was created in FY 2003 to develop transit, and related funding,
to meet the needs of the growing number of people and jobs in the San Bernardino Valley. The FTIS
includes programs designed to accommodate both the expected population and employment growth, and
an increasingly aging population. It was also the first step in identifying the future BRT corridors for the
San Bernardino Valley. The renewal of Measure I in November 2004 was a necessary step to making
this study a reality.
Fontana Transcenter Expansion
In FY 2003, Omnitrans, in coordination with the City of Fontana, completed a renovation and expansion of
the Fontana Transcenter, located at Orange Way and Sierra Avenue in the City of Fontana. The
renovation/expansion added four bus bays and permits easier transfers between bus routes and
Metrolink, as now all bus transfers occur within the Transcenter, and not on the adjacent streets. More
information on this Transcenter can be found in Appendix B.
Chino/Ontario Agricultural Preserve Transit Plan
In FY 2004, Omnitrans, the City of Chino, and the City of Ontario were awarded a grant by Caltrans to
develop a specific transportation plan for the newly developing Agricultural Preserve areas of Chino and
Ontario. This area in particular presents a unique opportunity in that it is the largest undeveloped area
left in Southern California. By integrating transit into the initial design stages, a community can be built
around multiple modes of transportation, giving the residents the opportunity to choose how they would
like to travel, rather than restricting them to the automobile. As discussed in Section 4.7, integrating
transit development into fast-growing “Hot Spots” such as this provides Omnitrans an opportunity to grow
new ridership, even while following a fiscally conservative plan.
The benefits of performing the transit planning tasks before development goes in is that the infrastructure
that needs to be in place to support transit (such as right-of-way, easements, sidewalks, curb cuts and
bus turnouts) can be planned and designed during the development review period and the engineering
phase rather than after the fact. Advanced planning will result in fewer costs to the agencies involved and
more expeditious delivery of service to the occupants of the area.
Chino Transcenter
Construction of the Chino Transcenter was completed in January 2005. This facility is located on Sixth
Street in between Chino Avenue and D Street. It has seven bus bays with shelters, information kiosks,
and a Coach Operator restroom facility. In February 2005, Foothill Transit Line 497 started providing
service from the Chino Transcenter to the Chino Park-and-Ride, the City of Industry Park-and-Ride, and
Downtown Los Angeles. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) also serves this facility,
and the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) may do so in the future.
July 11, 2007 8