HomeMy Public PortalAbout05 May 5, 1986 Citizens' Advisory040242
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
AGENDA
CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1:30 P.M., MAY 5, 1986
RIVERSIDE CITY HALL, 5TH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
3900 MAIN STREET, RIVERSIDE
1. Call to Order.
2. Approval of Minutes.
3. Olympic Legacy Program. (INFO)
4. Amtrak Service in Riverside. (INFO)
5. Highways 74 & 79 Safety Problems. (DISC)
6. FY 1987-1991 Short Range Transit Plan (ACTION)
for Riverside County.
7. Other Business.
8. Adjournment.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Minutes of Meeting No. 3-86
April 7, 1986
1. Call to Order.
The meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee was called to
order by Chairman Terry Allen at 1:40 P.M. on April 7, 1986 at
the Riverside City Hall, 5th Floor Conference Room, 3900 Main
Street, Riverside.
Members present:
Terry Allen
Harry Brinton
Jordis Cameron
Marian Carpelan
Members absent:
Shiela Velez
Others present:
Jesse Roach, RTA
Bill Freeman
Jim Kenna
Herbert Krauch
Don Kurz
Joanne Moore
Rena Parker
Don Senger
Ran Wyder Bertram Vinson
2. Approval of Minutes.
There being no additions or corrections to the minutes of the
March 10, 1986 meeting, the minutes were approved as submitted.
3. Unmet Transit Needs.
Copies of staff report to the Commission on unmet transit needs
were distributed to members of the Committee.
Barry Beck, Executive Director, briefed the Committee on the
source of Transportation Development Act funds, and the purpose
of the unmet transit needs hearings. He reviewed the requests
received that are planned to be accommodated this coming fiscal
year or in some cases sooner: 1) Improvements on SunLine's Line
19; 2) Service to Belltown area of Rubidoux; 3) Improvements to
RTA's Line 29; 4)Establishment of service between the San Gor-
gonio Pass area and Hemet; 5) Improvement to Line 16 service in
North Riverside; and, 6) Service to Roseland Mobile Home Park.
Chairman Allen asked about the type of marketing effort RTA will
be doing for the service from the San Gorgonio Pass area and
Hemet.
Jesse Roach stated that during the first week of implementation
of the route, RTA will not charge a fare to the riders. A
marketing campaign will be done a month prior to the implementa-
tion of the route. He mentioned that he spoke with the Mt.
Jacinto College staff regarding the service and they indicated
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that they would like to work with RTA in hopes the college may be
able to drop the transportation service they provide to their
Pass area students. Jesse Roach explained to him that the pur-
pose of the RTA service is not to take over their service imme-
diately but possibly in the future if the route is successful in
serving other needs.
Barry Beck said that there may be a problem if Mt. San Jacinto
College drops their service. They provide transit service to 30-
35 students and that dropping their service would overload the
RTA service. He suggested that perhaps the hours of the RTA
service may be more oriented to medical and shopping -type trips
rather than school trips.
In response to Chairman Allen's question whether RTA had con-
tacted the Department of Social Services to make sure that
clients will be made aware of the service, Jesse Roach said that
he talked with a DPSS representative and that they are willing to
provide their clients with information about the service.
Barry Beck continued and reviewed requests received that will be
either partially accommodated or will be further investigated for
possible resolution as follows: 1) Service to the Desert Crest
area, southeast of Desert Hot Springs; 2) Special service between
Hemet and Loma Linda medical facilities; 3) Dial -a -ride service
in Moreno Valley; 4) Dial -a -ride service in Murrieta; and, 5)
Expansion of Beaumont dial -a -ride to operate on Saturdays. Re-
quests received for improved or revised service that in staff's
opinion should not be implemented because the cost could not be
justified by the anticipated usage are: 1) Operating the Palm
Springs dial -a -ride on Saturdays; 2) Expanding service on Palm
Desert trolley; 3) Making the Riverside Special Services avail-
able to everyone; 4) Expanding the hours of service on Line 21 to
serve Orange and Los Angeles County commuters; 5) Providing
service from Sun City to Canyon Lake; and, 5) Expanding Hemet
fixed -route service.
Chairman Allen asked about the proposed routing of the service
between the San Gorgonio Pass area and Hemet.
Barry Beck said that the service between the San Gorgonio Pass
area and Hemet will partially duplicate the routing of the Line
30 service but that RTA is currently considering rerouting the
Line 30 service to be more of an east -west routing if the new
route is successful.
Chairman Allen said that the Hemet Chamber of Commerce has indi-
cated that there is a need for an east -west service primarily
along Florida Avenue. He said that the current Line 30 routing
does not go anywhere.
Paul Blackwelder, Assistant Director, added that one of the
functions of Line 30 is to take people from San Jacinto to Hemet.
Barry Beck informed the Committee that a complaint was received
regarding the Corona dial -a -ride. The complaint indicated that
at times the Corona dial -a -ride has an extremely long wait times
(1 3/4 hours) which is well outside the normal standard operating
parameters of a dial -a -ride service. This will be investigated
by staff. One other request was received from the Inland Re-
gional Center who is responsible of providing service to deve-
lopmentally disabled clients. They have requested that the
public transit operators provide the service or pay for the
private providers that IRC contracts with. He said that a number
of IRC's clients are being transported on the regular fixed route
and dial -a -ride systems. Unless there is a current service in an
area to accommodate their clients or if we could make modest
changes in existing lines, staff feels that it is the IRC's
obligation to provide the service.
Rena Parker commented that the IRC has transportation funds but
in some cases public transit services are dropped for various
reasons leaving the IRC clients with no way to get to workshops.
Barry Beck stated that in all instances, some arrangements were
eventually made and that the services were reinstated.
M/S/C (PARKER/MOORE) to recommend that the Commission, based
on a review of existing services and new or improved service
planned to be implemented by next fiscal year, find that
there are no unmet transit needs that can be reasonably met
and request that SCAG concur in this finding.
4. Transportation Issues.
Herb Krauch submitted a statement that to date, Caltrans has not
erected guard rails on Highway 79 as promised last year. In
addition, reflector post lights are missing for a stretch of 200
feet or more. Another problem that needs attention is the inter-
section of Gilman Hot Springs Road and Sanderson Avenue where
Highway 79 comes out of Lambs Canyon. There are stop signs on
Gilman Hot Springs Road but none on the Lambs Canyon/Sanderson
Avenue. A warning sign posted by Caltrans which is 3' across and
says "Cross Traffic Does Not Stop" was placed on the east side of
Gilman Hot Springs Road. The sign blocks the view of the drivers
waiting to cross from seeing cars coming down the hill.
Chairman Allen stated that he was under the impression that
Caltrans was going to budget funds for installing the guard
rails.
Bill Freeman passed out information material on Route 86. He
said that the 18 miles of Route 86 in Riverside County has a
fatality rate of 340% which is above the average fatality rate.
The State average on fatality rate for this type of highway is 2
1/2 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles. The last figures
available from Caltrans on Highway 86 is 26.04 fatalities per 100
million vehicle miles indicating that Highway 86 is 10 times more
dangerous to drive. The Federal Highway Administration rates any
highway that has more than 20% truck traffic as a dangerous
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situation. Highway 86 has 38.7% heavy truck traffic. He noted
that on Highway 86, trucks and buses are involved in 64% of all
accidents and 90% of all fatal accidents. Since 1977, there have
been a total of 151 fatalities on Highway 86. He requested that
Highway 86 be retained as a high priority item and that the
Committee work through the Commission to maintain it as the
highest priority for the County. He added that the State Commis-
sion at their last meeting, approved $9.6 million to begin the 8
mile 4 -lane expressway in Imperial County. Another 18 mile
project was approved by the State Commission and is included in
the five-year program.
Barry Beck said that with 1-215 to be 100% funded by 1990, High-
way 86 will be the County's top priority for any future funds
that come in the County.
At this time, the Committee reviewed and updated the list of
transportation issues and priorities.
A question was raised regarding the Committee's role and whether
Commission members are being made aware of items discussed and
actions taken by the Committee.
Barry Beck explained that when the Committee initiates or takes
action on an item, staff forwards the action to the Commission
where it is given adequate consideration. Committee members are
always welcomed to introduce new items of interest to be included
in the Committee agenda.
Jim Kenna suggested that perhaps the Committee meet with the
Commission once a year.
Chairman Allen added that Committee members could also attend the
Commission meetings.
6. Commission Transit Planning & Programming Responsibilities.
Paul Blackwelder stated that in response to the Commission's per-
formance audit recommendation in January, a policy statement and
procedural guide had been developed to specify the Commission's
role and responsibilities in the transit planning process. The
Commission and transit operator roles and responsibilities were
identified in a paper titled "Transit Planning and Programming
Responsibilities of the Riverside County Transportation Commis-
sion" approved by the Commission and is included in the agenda
packet.
7. Adjournment.
M/S/C (KRAUCH/CARPELAN) to adjourn the meeting at 3:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
7 -Paul Blackwelder
Assistant Director
nk
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
TO: Citizens Advisory Committee
FROM: Paul Blackwelder, Assistant Director
SUBJECT: Olympic Legacy Program
Jim Kenna, CAC member and Automobile Club representative,
will make a video presentation on traffic management stra-
tegies that were successful during the 1984 Olympics. Com-
mission staff has had the opportunity to see this 15-20
minute film presentation at other meetings. The film pro-
vides an excellent overview of the potential for coordinated
traffic management strategies to help ease the ever-
increasing traffic congestion throughout Southern
California.
PB:nk
CAC Agenda Item No. 3
May 5, 1986
R IVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
advisory Committee
FROM: Paul Blackwelder, Assistant Director
SUBJECT: Lii:iltraK Service in Riverside
Beginning April 27, 1986, the Amtrak Desert Wind service
will be routed through Riverside. The Desert Wind nro,T4dec
one train daily in each direction between Los Angeles, San
Bernardino, Las Vegas and Chicago. The Los Angeles -San
Bernardino portion of the route that ran through Pasadena
and Pomona is being rerouted through Fullerton and
Riverside.
Arthur Lloyd, Director of Public Affairs for Amtrak, has
advised us that a stop in Riverside could be easily imple-
mented. The requirements are a letter requesting a stop at
the Santa Fe Depot, repair of the Depot loading platform at
local expense, and installation of a pay telephone. Ticket-
ing would be handled by local travel agencies, by telephone
to Amtrak, and by purchasing tickets on board the train.
Staff from the City of Riverside and the Commission have
determined that platform area repairs will be minor and the
cost is minimal (less than $5,000).
The approximate daily departure and arrival times for the
Desert Wind service would be: '
Riverside -Los Angeles
Riverside -Las Vegas
Lv Riv 12:45 P.M.
Lv LA 1:20 P.M.
Lv Riv 2:45 P.M.
Lv L.V. 7:00 A.M.
Arr LA 2:15 P.M.
Arr Riv 2:45 P.M.
Arr L.V. 8:50 P.M.
Arr Riv 12:45 P.M.
The Riverside -Los Angeles service would be useful only to
persons planning to spend 2+ days in either city.
Commission staff feels this is an excellent opportunity to
reinstate intercity rail service for the City of Riverside
at a minor cost for repair to the platform and should be
pursued.
The Commission at its last meeting authorized the Chairman
and the Executive Director to pursue obtaining a regular
stop for the Desert Wind service in Riverside.
PB : nk
CAC Agenda Item No. 4
May 5, 1986
RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
TO: Citizens Advisory Committee
FROM: Paul Blackwelder, Assistant Director
SUBJECT: Highways 74 (Lambs Canyon) and 79 (Ortega Highway)
Safety Problems
Nick Davies of Caltrans will attend the meeting to discuss
the safety problems and to update the Committee on proposed
improvements for these two sections of highway within
Riverside County.
PB:nk
CAC Agenda Item No. 5
May 5, 1986
R IVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
TO: Citizens Advisory Committee
FROM: Paul Blackwelder, Assistant Director
SUBJECT: FY 1987-1991 Short Range Transit Plan
The Commission is scheduled to approve the FY 1987-1991 Short Range
Transit Plan for Riverside County at their meeting on May 15, 1986.
The draft plans for the public transit operators have been prepared.
Copies of the plans for the small operators are enclosed. The plans
for the Riverside Transit Agency and the SunLine Transit Agency will
not be available until May 1st. Copies of those plans will be handed
out at the meeting. There are only minor service changes proposed by
the transit operators. The fact that only minor changes are being
proposed reflects that transit services are maturing and becoming well
established and that unmet transit needs identified in the hearing
process are localized problems for small communities in the unincor-
porated areas of the County. The existing transit system provides
service within and between most of the cities and major unincorporated
areas of the County. The proposed service level changes for each
operator are summarized below.
CITY OF BEAUMONT DIAL -A -RIDE
Reduce the number of holidays from 12 to 6 in FY 1987 and continue the
existing level of service for the five-year plan period.
TY Q. BANNING
No service changes are proposed for the plan period.
CITY 2 CORONA
A study of the feasibility of implementing fixed -route service to
replace the dial -a -ride service will be conducted early in FY 1987.
The study to be accomplished by the Commission, City of Corona and the
Riverside Transit Agency will include services within the Corona -Norco
area and intercity service connections to Riverside. No service
changes are proposed pending the results of this study.
LAKE ELSINORE TRANSIT SYSTEM
No service changes are proposed for the plan period.
PALO VERDE VALLEY TRANSIT AGENCY
No service changes are proposed for the plan period.
CITY QF RANCHO MIRAGE DIAL -A -ChB
No service changes are proposed for the plan period.
CAC Agenda Item No. 6
May 5, 1986
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CITY QF RIVERSIDE SPECIAL SERVICES PROGRAM
No service changes are proposed for the plan period.
RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY (RTA)
The only new service proposed by the RTA is a route between Banning -
Beaumont and Hemet scheduled to start in September, 1986. The remain-
ing changes are improvements or expansion of existing services.
FY 1987
o Implement a fixed -route service from Banning -Beaumont to Hemet
operating on a 90 -minute headway Monday -Friday as a six-month
demonstration project.
o Add Saturday service to Route 29 (Rubidoux to Riverside) and
realign the route to serve the Belltown area, north of Highway
60.
o Extend the Hemet dial -a -ride boundaries to include the Roseland
Village mobile home park. Service to Hemet will be provided by
RTA Line 27. Return service to Roseland will be provided by
prescheduling with the Hemet dial -a -ride service.
o Improve mid -day service on Route 16 to the north end of Riverside
to a 60 -minute frequency. Service is currently operated every 90
minutes from 9:25 a.m. to 2:55 p.m.
FY 1988
o Improve the frequency of Route 29 (Rubidoux to Riverside) service
to 60 minutes. Buses curently run every 1 hour 10 minutes to 1
hour 25 minutes.
o Add Sunday service on Route 27 (Hemet -Riverside) and 15 (Tyler
Mall to Downtown via Arlington Avenue). Both routes currently
operate Monday -Saturday.
o Expand afternoon service hours and add Saturday service on Route
21 (Country Village -Tyler Mall). Service is currently operated
from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday -Friday with the last bus
leaving Tyler Mall at 4:45 p.m.
FY 1989-1991
No service changes are proposed.
SUNLINE TRANSIT AGENCY
SunLine proposes the elimination of three services and minor expansion
and frequency impro vex nts on most other services in FY 1987. No
service changes are for FYs 1988-1991. SunLine intends to
take a closer look at the period 1988 and beyond as part of the next
update of the plan.
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Elimination Qf 'Services
Palm Desert Trolley service is not programmed to continue in FY 1987.
The service could not attain the 12-13 passengers per hour or $3.00
maximum subsidy per passenger trip goals established for this service
between the hotels and exclusive El Paseo shopping area of Palm
Desert. SunLine and the City of Palm Desert will attempt to privatize
this service with subsidies as needed to be provided by the business
community and the City of Palm Desert.
Desert Hot Springs dial -a -ride Saturday service operated during the
winter season will not be continued in FY 1987. Overall ridership has
continually declined for the past three years. Saturday ridership for
this service as for most other services is lower than weekday rider-
ship and would result in a higher subsidy per passenger trip than the
already high $7.18 subsidy per passenger trip expected by SunLine in
FY 1987.
North Palm Springs service to Desert Hot Springs will be eliminated as
a service operated directly by SunLine. SunLine will provide a per
passenger trip subsidy to the Hands of the Desert, a non-profit
agency, to provide service on an as -needed basis.
Service Improvements
Line 4 (La Quinta to Palm Desert) service will be realigned to serve
new developments along Cook Street and Country Club Drive. The ser-
vice frequency will be improved to 40 minutes and service will operate
Monday -Saturday year round. The existing service operates on a 60 -
minute frequency Monday -Friday with Saturday service operated only
during the winter season.
Line 5 (formerly the southern portion of Line 19) will provide local
service in the Indio -Coachella area and improve year-round frequency
to 40 minutes Monday -Saturday. Service is currently provided by Line
19 with a 60 -minute frequency in the summer and a 30 -minute frequency
in the winter. Operating the southern part of Line 19 as a separate
route is intended to elimilnate problems in maintaining the schedule
on Line 19 between Palm Springs and Indio.
Line 19 (Desert Hot Springs to Indio) frequency between Palm Springs
and Indio will be improved to 30 minutes and Sunday service will be
operated on a 60 -minute headway year round. Service is currently
operated on a 60 -minute headway Monday -Saturday in the summer and on a
30 -minute headway Monday -Saturday with Sunday service operated on a
60 -minute headway during the winter season. Service will be operated
at the same level throughout the year.
Line 20 (Palm Springs to Indio) weekday frequency during the winter
months will be improved to 30 minutes between Palm Springs and Palm
Desert, the segment not duplicated by Line 19, and Sunday service
hours will be expanded to 10 hours/day during the winter season.
Service is currently operated on a 60 -minute headway year round with
Sunday service operated 8hours/day during the winter season.
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Palm Springs Sun Special service frequency will be improved to 15
minutes. This service operates during the winter season to provide
transportation between the hotels and shopping areas in Palm Springs.
The service currently operates on a 25 -minute headway.
RECCMMENLATIQ T
Recommend that the Commission approve the service levels proposed by
the transit operators in the FY 1987-1991 Short Range Transit Plan for
Riverside County.
PB:nk
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May 5, 1986
Citizens Advisory Comm —tee .,tee -
SIGN IN SHEET
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