Riverside Transit Agency Drawing From Our Past | 2015 Annual Report

RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2014 ANNUAL REPORT | 1 WELCOME

It is our pleasure to present you with Riverside Transit transfer hubs at the Moreno Valley Mall and Galleria Agency’s Fiscal Year 2015 Annual Report. The past at Tyler. We pushed new service into Temescal Valley year was marked by historic leaps in ridership, bold and moved one step closer to launching the ambitious new services, breakthroughs in technology and, of RapidLink and the Downtown Riverside Bus Stop course, a continued commitment to excellence on the Improvement projects, both of which will enhance the road. way we deliver service for years to come.

During this remarkable year, our ongoing pursuit of RTA is proud to be the vehicle of choice for a growing world-class service prompted more people to choose number of Riverside County residents. We are RTA as their preferred way to commute to work, to powered by experience, inspired by our customers school, and to visit friends and family. When the year and motivated to push the limits of what’s possible ended, our buses had handled a staggering 9.6 million in public transportation. We look forward to sharing boardings, setting a new record for the 38-year-old more success stories as we continue to provide agency. unparalleled service to every customer, every day on every trip. Sky-high ridership doesn’t come easy. In fact, we work hard every day to provide a service that our customers can trust, a service that meets their changing needs, and, most of all, gives them a reason to keep riding. Sincerely,

To that end, we made several moves during the past year to enhance our service. We extended partnerships with several colleges to give thousands Andrew Kotyuk Larry Rubio of students unlimited bus rides. We upgraded major Chairman of the Board CEO

MISSION STATEMENT

The Riverside Transit Agency, Riverside County’s multi-modal transportation provider, shall provide for a variety of transportation needs in a cost-effective and efficient manner for all the residents of our member communities. The Agency is committed to providing safe, reliable, courteous, accessible and user-friendly services to our customers.

2 | RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RTA is governed by a board of directors comprised of 22 elected officials from 18 cities in western Riverside County and four members of the County Board of Supervisors.

Andrew Kotyuk Chuck Washington Ike Bootsma Berwin Hanna Chairman County of Riverside City of Eastvale City of Norco City of San Jacinto District 3 Linda Krupa Tonya Burke Ella Zanowic Marion Ashley City of Hemet City of Perris 1st Vice-Chairwoman County of Riverside City of Calimesa District 5 Daryl Hickman Andy Melendrez City of City of Riverside Frank Johnston Art Welch Lake Elsinore 2nd Vice-Chairman City of Banning Maryann Edwards City of Jurupa Valley Wallace Edgerton City of Temecula Brenda Knight City of Menifee Kevin Jeffries City of Beaumont Bridgette Moore County of Riverside Jesse Molina City of Wildomar District 1 John Zaitz City of City of Canyon Lake Moreno Valley John F. Tavaglione County of Riverside Jason Scott Randon Lane District 2 City of Corona City of Murrieta

RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | 3 FLOURISHING PROGRAMS, RECORD RIDERS

Fiscal Year 2015 will be remembered for its strong ridership thanks to service improvements, flourishing student ride programs and world-class customer service. The year also saw the arrival of new uniforms, the crowning of our 200 millionth customer, and the completion of major improvements at popular transit points.

RIDERSHIP SKYROCKETS 800,000 boardings from students at Riverside City College and Moreno Valley College, an increase of 13 percent Fueled by great customer service, strategic planning and compared to the year before. RTA also offers unlimited rides mounting ridership among college students, the Agency had to students at Mt. San Jacinto College. 9.6 million boardings in Fiscal Year 2015, the highest total in its 38-year history, and further evidence that RTA’s ridership RTA SURPRISES 200 MILLIONTH RIDER continues to buck regional and national ridership trends. RTA’s ridership has been on an upward climb for the past Sean Torley is one in a million! Actually, he’s one in 200 several years. In fact, over the past 10 years, ridership has million. On his commute home in mid-July of 2014 aboard jumped roughly 30 percent. During the year, six of 12 months Route 202, Torley became the 200 millionth person to ride set records and October’s 962,000 boardings was more an RTA bus since the Agency began service nearly four than any other month in RTA’s existence. “These numbers decades ago. To celebrate the milestone, RTA gave Torley have definitely given us reason to cheer, but we are never 200 days of free rides. That’s good news to the Murrieta man satisfied,” said RTA Chairman of the Board Andrew Kotyuk. who commutes each day more than 100 miles round-trip to “We want to keep this momentum going, and, perhaps his job as a senior paralegal at a Solana Beach law firm using more importantly, give our customers ­­— whether they are a combination of RTA buses and North County Transit District students, senior citizens or veterans — a reason to ride.” commuter rail lines. “I actually have a car, but one day I got so tired of traffic I decided to ride the bus,” Torley said. “It turned PARTNERSHIPS GIVE STUDENTS UNLIMITED RIDES out to be a great idea.”

Students returning to class at Riverside’s Baptist RTA UNIFORMS GO BLUE University, La Sierra University, Moreno Valley College, Riverside City College, and UC Riverside found it easier At the end of the fiscal year, RTA said goodbye to gray to get around. That’s because in the summer of 2015, RTA and hello to blue. In the summer of 2015, coach operators extended its ongoing partnership with the schools to provide underwent their first uniform change in more than 30 years unlimited bus rides to students who show their college ID’s. when they began wearing royal blue shirts and black slacks. Last year, RTA buses had more than 37,000 California Baptist The style reflects a fresh new look for more than 250 coach student boardings, which was roughly 25 percent higher operators who represent RTA on the streets every day. than the previous year. In addition, RTA buses handled nearly

4 | RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT TRANSIT HUBS GET MAJOR FACELIFT ENHANCED ROUTE NOW SERVING TEMESCAL VALLEY

Customers travelling through RTA’s busiest hubs got a Due to customer demand, CommuterLink Express Route pleasant surprise during the year. That’s because in fall of 206 was enhanced during the year with new stops at the 2014, RTA celebrated the opening of six new bus stops and community of Dos Lagos and Tom’s Farms in Temescal shelters at the Galleria at Tyler. The modernized bus stops Valley. With amenities like free Wi-Fi, USB chargers, plush and shelters enhanced travel for more than 4,100 customers seating, and luggage racks, this unique express route offers who pass through the area every day. Four months later, RTA enhanced service to destinations in Corona, Lake Elsinore, completed six new bus shelters at the busy Moreno Valley Murrieta and Temecula. Customers with a valid Metrolink Mall, which serves seven routes and 1,500 customers a ticket or pass rode free to and from the Metrolink Station, day. Other upgrades at those two locations included digital while students at Cal Baptist University, La Sierra University, signs that provide customers with real-time bus arrival Moreno Valley College, Mt. San Jacinto College, Riverside information and solar lighting for enhanced customer safety City College and UC Riverside got unlimited rides thanks to and convenience. the popular Go-Pass and U-Pass programs.

RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | 5 TECHNOLOGY

Technology has always played a vital role in how we operate our fleet and serve our customers. From free Wi-Fi service aboard our express buses to digital arrival times at select bus stops and rider alerts sent to smartphones, RTA is pushing the limits of technology and taking our service to another level.

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED NEW BUSES EMBRACE LATEST TECHNOLOGY

Nearly a year in the making, RTA’s new website debuted During the first full year of service, RTA’s new bus fleet carried in the spring of 2015 with a cleaner, sleeker look and a a record number of people. Many of those customers took responsive, easy-to-navigate design that thrives on both advantage of upgraded on-board amenities like free Wi-Fi desk-top computers and mobile devices. The new design and USB charging ports for mobile phones and tablets. Like makes it easier for customers to find schedules and maps, their predecessors, the new buses run on clean-burning rider alerts and job postings and is embedded with video, compressed natural gas, and came equipped with security contact forms, newsletters and important links. Visit the new cameras and GPS technology for the on-board display of site at RiversideTransit.com. upcoming stops and automated announcements.

TRAVEL SMARTER WITH BUSWATCH TRANSIT APPS MAKE RIDING A BREEZE

During the year, customers travelled smart by using RTA’s Whether they are on the go or just planning their next trip, BusWatch, a free service available on smartphones, tablets transit apps put schedule and route information at our or computers that pinpoints the exact arrival time of the customers’ fingertips. During the year, the Agency was proud next bus. Customers simply visited RTABus.com to view live to make our information available to a wide range of app arrival times, bus schedules, and to sign up to receive e-mail developers so customers could get rapid, convenient and alerts about arriving buses. During the year, RTA began work accurate travel assistance straight from their smartphones, on an expanded version of BusWatch that will debut in 2016 tablets or laptops. With apps like Google Transit, the Transit and include every RTA bus route, plus a smartphone app App and myBus, customers were a click away from another and text-messaging response system to keep customers in perfect trip. the know.

6 | RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | 7 IN THE COMMUNITY

For nearly 40 years, RTA has been a proud partner in the community. Whether it’s raising money for low-income families, giving vehicles to charities or teaming up with grassroots groups, RTA is making a difference.

PUBLIC WEIGHS IN ON LONG-TERM TRANSIT PLAN RTA DUMPS THE PUMP AND CELEBRATES EARTH DAY

Following weeks of public outreach, RTA’s Board of Directors During the year, RTA partnered with other transit agencies approved RTA’s 10-Year Transit Network Plan in January of across the nation to celebrate Dump the Pump Day. As part 2015. The plan is designed to guide RTA service over the next of our efforts to bring more exposure to the benefits of riding ten years with improved frequencies, better transfers, easier the bus, on June 18, RTA joined 99.1 KGGI for a special live connections, later service and shorter travel times. Prior to remote broadcast at the Riverside Plaza from noon till 2 p.m. the approval, RTA spent several months soliciting public The first 99 people at the event who flashed their RTA bus input on the plan, which included on-board surveys and pass got gift cards for free breakfast and lunch at Baker’s community meetings. The plan, which affects virtually every Drive-Thru. The special day came a few weeks after RTA route, is expected to be implemented over a ten year period gave away free bus passes as part of Earth Day on April 22. with the first wave of changes happening this year. The giveaways were part of two national events that highlight the benefits of public transportation. BUS STUFFED FOR TEENS IN NEED RAISING FUNDS FOR A WORTHY CAUSE Thanks to the generosity of students, teachers, police officers and community members, two 40-foot RTA buses RTA is committed to strengthening our communities and were stuffed to capacity with donations for teens in crisis. making them a better place to live, work and play. That’s The “Stuff the Bus” event in the fall of 2014 generated a why in FY15, the Agency continued its tradition of giving to record-number of donations of non-perishable food, linens, charity. In all, RTA employees donated roughly $13,000 to toiletries and other items to Operation SafeHouse, a non- non-profits such as the American Cancer Society, Red Cross, profit group that helps at-risk and in-crisis youth. The buses Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and March of Dimes, were stuffed with more than 10,000 items ranging from generating much-needed revenue for worthy causes. toothbrushes and clean sheets to dish soap and boxes of cereal. The donations were projected to last at least a year. TROLLEY DANCES BACK FOR THIRD YEAR IN RIVERSIDE With 4,000 runaways each year in Riverside County, RTA continues to partner with Riverside’s non-profit Operation For the third year in a row, customers got a unique experience SafeHouse, which helps runaway and homeless children. aboard an RTA trolley when Trolley Dances returned to Each of RTA’s fixed-route vehicles displays a yellow “Safe Riverside. The innovative two-day dance program let Place” sign that enables teens to get transportation to the patrons ride an RTA trolley to various outdoor venues to shelter without question and free of charge. RTA has worked watch dozens of dancers perform. with Operation SafeHouse since 1997.

8 | RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT T-NOW MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES

FY15 was a great year to be part of Transportation NOW, an advocacy group dedicated to promoting public transportation in western Riverside County. Membership grew during the year, giving more people than ever the opportunity to be part of the movement. The groups held a pro-transit video contest, provided ongoing transit education for seniors and students, and wrote letters to lawmakers to protect much- needed transit funding. The group is comprised of more than one hundred members who meet in chapters representing Greater Riverside, Hemet/San Jacinto Area, Moreno Valley/ Perris, Northwest, San Gorgonio Pass and Southwest.

NEED A LIFT TO THE FAIR?

During the year, RTA made it easier than ever to reach the Fair. During the fall of 2014, Route 19 offered special daily service to Lake Perris Fairgrounds for the nine-day event that features exhibits, entertainment, carnival rides and delicious food. This service gave a growing number of people the opportunity to attend this world-class fair without the hassle of driving. Plus, while they were there, fairgoers checked out our new CommuterLink bus on display which was a Wi-Fi hotspot.

BEACH BUS ROLLS ALL SUMMER LONG

For the eighth-straight year, RTA provided relief for customers wanting an escape from the summer heat. CommuterLink Express Route 202 “Beach Bus” service operated extended seven days a-week service during the summer, picking up beach-goers in Murrieta and Temecula before heading to the surf and sand of Oceanside. The $6 round-trip service was a hit among beach-goers looking for a convenient and stress-free trip to the coast. In all, Route 202 carried a tidal wave of boardings — 8,100 in all — during the Beach Bus’ three-month period.

RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | 9 OLD VEHICLES GETTING NEW LIFE, SERVING COMMUNITY

RTA buses don’t slip into retirement easily. In fact, many of them get a second life with new organizations. During the year, RTA gave away nine retired buses to groups like Lake Elsinore American Legion, as well as the Riverside and Corona fire departments. The vehicles had exceeded their recommended service life and were no longer capable of remaining in RTA’s active fleet, but were in good condition and equipped with amenities such as wheelchair lifts. For years, RTA has transferred vehicles to cities, churches and senior centers. Since the program’s inception, the Agency has given away 173 vehicles to non-profit groups across the region.

RTA HITS THE AIRWAVES

Thousands of college students rode the bus during Fiscal Year 2015 but only two of them won tickets to the state’s biggest country music event. Marissa Baraglia, a 19-year- old Mt. San Jacinto College student, and Chris Brown, an 18-year-old Riverside City College student, each earned two tickets to the Stagecoach Country Music Festival 2015. Their names were randomly chosen as part of RTA’s eight- week radio campaign with 95.1 FM K-FROG. “Tim McGraw, here I come!” Marissa said. “This is a great way to spend the weekend with my mom. We went last year and can’t wait to go back.” Chris, who is studying to be an athletic trainer, said he has other plans: “I’m bringing my girlfriend. This just earned me some big points with her.” Both Marissa and Chris said the unlimited bus ride program, called the Go-Pass, has changed the way students get around. The give-aways were part of an eight-week radio campaign during the spring of 2015 that included spots on Pandora Internet radio and four local broadcast radio stations: KGGI, KFRG, KOLA and KRQB. The campaign included radio advertisements, bus ride- alongs by on-air personalities and live remotes.

10 | RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | 11 MILESTONES AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Fiscal Year 2015 was a particularly good time for the Agency in terms of milestones and special recognition for drivers who went above and beyond the call of duty.

RTA REMEMBERS WALLACE EDGERTON HERO BUS DRIVER FINDS MISSING TEEN

RTA lost a member of its family in May when Wallace “Wally” Congratulations to Coach Operator Keith Quamina whose Edgerton passed away after a long battle with idiopathic diligence behind the wheel helped find a missing high pulmonary fibrosis. Edgerton was Menifee’s first mayor and school student with learning disabilities. Around lunchtime served on the RTA Board of Directors since 2008. During the on May 21, Keith received a phone message from the San summer of 2015, RTA’s Board of Directors approved a plan Jacinto Unified School District asking parents to be on the to honor Edgerton for his contributions to the community, lookout for the missing teen last seen that morning wearing especially at Mt. San Jacinto College. One of his biggest a gray jacket, lime green shirt and red back pack. Keith, a contributions was bringing the Go-Pass program to Mt. San former deputy sheriff, kept that description in his head as Jacinto College, giving thousands of students unlimited bus he scanned the streets for the boy while driving Route 22. rides. His contributions to the college won’t go unnoticed. It wasn’t until his shift ended and he was driving back to the RTA has named the bus stop on the college’s Menifee yard that Keith spotted the boy crossing the street. Keith campus the Wallace Edgerton Memorial Bus Stop and called out to the boy, positively identified him and offered included a permanent bronze plaque in his honor. him a seat on the bus. Thanks to Keith, police were contacted and the boy made it home safely. Fact is, bus drivers do much more than just move people from place to place. Over the past year, RTA bus drivers have helped find more than 30 missing persons or teens in crisis.

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT SETS SAFETY MILESTONE

During the year, RTA’s Maintenance Department, which employs more than 60 mechanics, grounds keepers and supervisors at two facilities, achieved nearly 800 days, or 114 straight weeks, without a lost time injury. And the winning streak continued into Fiscal Year 2016. The achievement marks a major safety milestone for the Agency that promotes health and safety within all departments and the prevention of on-the-job accidents. A lost-time accident is a job-related injury that results in time away from work. The Maintenance Department has its sights set on 1,000 days without a lost time injury.

12 | RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | 13 LOOKING FORWARD

After nearly four decades of service, RTA remains the number-one travel choice for a growing number of Riverside County residents. With our region’s population expected to grow over the next decade, we are focused on providing a service that competes with the automobile and exceeds our customers’ expectations day after day. Looking ahead, RTA customers can expect to reap the benefits of world-class service, friendly drivers, new technology and strategic planning.

ROUTE 1 LIMITED SERVICE MOVING CLOSER TO REALITY shelters. The project is expected to begin in spring 2017 and be completed by summer of that year. During the spring of 2015, RTA’s Board of Directors unanimously supported a contract with Psomas for the A SMARTER WAY TO TRAVEL architecture and engineering work on two major projects: RapidLink limited stop bus service and the Downtown RTA buses are learning to talk. Well, not exactly, but they Riverside Stop Improvement Project. The - will soon communicate with customers like never before. based firm will manage the design and environmental That’s all because the Agency’s ambitious Intelligent aspects of RapidLink service, which is expected to launch Transportation System project is in full swing and major in early 2017 with premium service between UC Riverside technological advances are just around the corner. The and Corona along Magnolia and University avenues. Phase project was first launched in 2005 when a portion of the fleet 2 of the project would expand the service into Moreno Valley was equipped with free Wi-Fi service, automatic passenger and Perris. Psomas will also provide design and engineering counters, and satellite technology that allowed RTA dispatch services for RTA’s efforts to install new stops and upgrade to pinpoint the exact location of vehicles in service. The existing ones in downtown Riverside. The project would second phase, which is currently underway, has even higher shift service away from the soon-to-be-defunct downtown aspirations. By the end of 2016, RTA will expand this cutting- terminal in favor of on-street boardings and transfers that edge technology to its entire fleet, meaning customers on flow with existing traffic and travel patterns. The project also every fixed-route bus, big or small, will benefit from a more calls for a bus layover facility on Vine Street adjacent to the enjoyable travel experience where free Wi-Fi service will Riverside-Downtown Metrolink Station. allow them to surf the Internet, watch a movie, or catch up on some work while out of the office. Plus, customers at all bus UPGRADES PLANNED FOR TEMECULA PROMENADE MALL stops can use a text-alert system or smartphone app to get up-to-the-minute arrival times based on their buses’ speed With growing ridership at the Promenade Mall in Temecula, and last reported location. Plus, new technology will allow RTA’s Board of Directors approved in the summer of 2015 the each bus to electronically communicate performance issues conceptual plans to enhance bus stops there. As part of the with RTA’s maintenance department. That means quicker expansion plan, the existing site, which can accommodate tune-ups and more time on the streets. up to three small to mid-sized buses, would be expanded to handle up to six buses at one time. Plans call for a widened sidewalk, improved lighting and additional benches and

14 | RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | 15 FINANCIALS

During the year, RTA remained under budget and maintained its fiscal integrity. RTA also received positive feedback from an independent audit that showed the Agency continuing to make good use of taxpayer dollars and following proper accounting procedures. Plus, RTA not only met but greatly exceeded the state’s minimum farebox recovery ratio.

FINANCIAL AUDIT YIELDS POSITIVE RESULTS Operating Revenues

A positive report during the year showed RTA successfully reaching its businesss goals and making good use of taxpayer dollars. Continuing a tradition of stellar audits, an Local independent accounting firm that audited RTA’s financial Transportation activities for Fiscal Year 2015 concluded that the Agency Fund/Other is making efficient use of its funds and following proper Income accounting procedures. It also determined that RTA’s farebox ratio of 26 percent not only met but exceeded the state’s minimum farebox ratio by nearly 10 percentage points. Passenger Fares Federal REVENUES AND EXPENSES Transit Administration Operating Expenses Operating Revenues Local Transportation Fund and Other Income ...... $45,196,675 Federal Transit Administration ...... $4,764,438 Passenger Fares ...... $11,244,623 Salaries and Total ...... $61,205,736 Purchased Benefits Transportation Operating Expenses Salaries and Benefits ...... $31,216,350 Purchased Transportation ...... $21,498,021 Materials and Supplies ...... $2,922,160 Services ...... $2,644,917 Materials and Other Expenses ...... $2,924,288 Supplies Total ...... $61,205,736 Other Expenses Services

16 | RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | 17 BY THE NUMBERS

Fleet Fixed-Route Buses...... 179 Dial-A-Ride Vehicles...... 98 Trolleys...... 10

Base Fares General...... $1.50 Senior/Disabled/Medicare/Veteran...... 70¢ CommuterLink General...... $3 CommuterLink Senior/Disabled/ Medicare/Veteran...... $2

Bus Routes Fixed Routes...... 35 CommuterLink Express Routes...... 8

System Ridership Annual Boardings...... 9.6 million Average Weekday Boardings...... 32,200 Average Weekend Day Boardings...... 13,400

Bus Service Hours Annual Revenue Hours...... 734,200

Bus Mileage Annual Miles Traveled...... 14.3 million

Employees Coach Operators...... 263 Maintenance Employees...... 58 Administrative Staff...... 115 Contract Employees...... 367 Total...... 803

18 | RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT RIVERSIDE TRANSIT AGENCY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT | 19 1825 Third Street Riverside, CA 92507 951-565-5000 RiversideTransit.com