Will help the agency to move forward with efforts to test green technology buses and paratransit vehicles such as hybrids and compressed natural gas (CNG), replace its radio system, and build a transit center.
Eleven cities in Mt. San Jacinto College's service area are using air-quality improvement funds to subsidize a program offering free transit passes to students.
The board member responsible for shortening agreement believes that more of the financial onus should be put on UT; however, UT officials feel that the students and staff carry close to five times the fiscal responsibility of those who regularly ride the transit system.
In June, the board began considering how to use the surplus and proposed using about half, or $2.3 million, for a short-term fare reduction. The two fare reduction options that are under consideration were cutting fares by 3 percent for four months, or by 5 percent for three months.
The $1.2 billion, 11-mile extension to the region's light rail system is expected to increase transit ridership by 20,000 boardings a day. The voter-approved project has half of the funds dedicated from the TransNet half-cent sales tax.
Machines are user friendly, accessible to customers using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, has large print, is colorful easy to read, and features voice activated audio and Braille to assist the hearing and visually impaired.
In 2009, SafeRides transported between 120 and 150 students each night, each weekend totaling 7,237 rides. The service helps students avoid driving under the influence.
The down economy has caused a large spike in student enrollment, boosting ridership numbers. Without federal or state funds to purchase additional buses, the system has had to find other ways to accommodate more riders.