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January 2018
In This Issue
Save the Date
MLK Day
January 15, 2018
(SBCTA Offices Closed)

Presidents Day
February 19, 2018
(SBCTA Offices Closed)

 

SBCTA General Assembly

June 13, 2018

Ontario Convention Ctr


 

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About Us
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is the transportation planning agency for San Bernardino County.

SBCTA is responsible for cooperative regional planning and furthering an efficient multi-modal transportation system countywide.

SBCTA proudly serves the more than 2.1 million residents of San Bernardino County.
 
Pilot Program for Connecting Transit to Ontario Airport

This week the Board of Directors approved a proposal to authorize SBCTA staff to develop and implement a Private Transportation Provider Pilot Program.  This pilot program will offer Metrolink and Omnitrans riders a full fare subsidy (up to $24) for private transportation service between the Ontario-East, Upland, Montclair and Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink stations and the Ontario International Airport (ONT).  Private transportation service providers include Transportation Network Companies, such as Uber and Lyft, as well as traditional taxi service. 
 
The program has several goals, including: providing riders with additional transportation options to ONT, increasing Metrolink and Omnitrans ridership, supporting the success of ONT and increasing public/private partnerships within the County.  In addition, the program will provide valuable data that will assist in determining the demand for future transit service between the various Metrolink stations and ONT.  The 12-month pilot program looks to launch by Fall of this year. 
 

 
Freeway Service Patrol Is On the Road to Get You Back On the Road 
   
The Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) Program is offered in partnership by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), California Highway Patrol (CHP), and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).  The goal of this partnership and of the FSP Program is to keep the freeways moving and reduce the chance of secondary accidents - but it is much more than that.  These friendly heroes of the highway are professional service providers, offering help when you need it most.

FSP is a roving team of tow trucks that travel on select San Bernardino County freeways, during peak commute hours, to assist motorists with car trouble.  From changing a flat tire to providing minor mechanical assistance, FSP drivers provide a variety of services at no cost to the motorist.  If the repair cannot be made within a short period of time, the FSP driver will tow the vehicle off of the freeway to a location designated by CHP.

It should be noted, however, that FSP services cannot be requested by contacting the SBCTA.  In case of an emergency please dial 9-1-1. For non-emergency FSP services please call the CHP dispatch public line at (909) 428-5400 or use the nearest Call Box if you feel safe in doing so. Remember, always remain in an area where you feel safe.
 
Metrolink Service Interruptions during Weekends in January

During the four weekends of January, Metrolink is performing scheduled maintenance work on the San Bernardino Line which will interrupt service for three trains on Saturdays and one train on Sundays. Over these weekends, work crews will install new rail and rail ties to ensure the safety of the passengers.
 
On Saturdays, January 6 and 13 and Sundays, January 7 and 14, buses will transport passengers between Rancho Cucamonga and Montclair for trains 376, 378 and 379 on Saturdays and train 351 on Sundays. These trains will make regular station stops between L.A. Union Station and Montclair and between Rancho Cucamonga and San Bernardino - Downtown.
 
On Saturdays, January 20 and 27 and Sundays, January 21 and 28, buses will transport passengers between San Bernardino - Downtown and Rancho Cucamonga for trains 376, 378 and 379 on Saturdays and train 351 on Sundays. These trains will make regular station stops between L.A. Union Station and Rancho Cucamonga.
 
Trains and buses are expected to operate at their scheduled times but delays of up to 15 minutes are possible.
 
For more information, visit Metrolinktrains.com .

Locally Preferred Alternative Identified for West Valley Connector Project

The West Valley Connector Project (WVC) is a proposed 35-mile long transit improvement project that would connect the cities of Pomona, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and Fontana. The proposed project includes up to 60 station platforms at 33 locations. Service is proposed to be initiated by 2020. Stations would be "rapid bus" style stations designed for fast boarding. Approximately 3.5 miles of exclusive lanes
are anticipated in the city of Ontario.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared, in cooperation with the FTA, to evaluate significant or potentially significant
environmental impacts associated with implementation of the proposed project and address appropriate and feasible mitigation measures and alternatives to the proposed project that would reduce or eliminate those impacts.

The draft EIR/EA is being updated to address comments made by the FTA in their initial review and comments made by the public during outreach meetings. This updated draft EIR/EA will be reviewed by the FTA between December 15, 2017, and January 17, 2018. It examines a No Build Alternative and two build alternatives (Alternatives A and B). The No Build Alternative proposes no improvements to the existing local bus services. The existing local bus service on Routes 61 and 66 would maintain current service of 15-minute headways, a total of four buses per hour in each direction.

The Build Alternative is composed of two alternatives:
  • Alternative A - Rapid line with no dedicated bus-only lanes, would include the full 35 mile-long BRT corridor, which is comprised of the Phase I/Milliken Alignment, Phase II/Haven Alignment, and 60 side-running stations at 33 locations/major intersections. No dedicated bus-only lanes will be included under this alternative.
  • Alternative B - Full BRT with 3.5 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes in Ontario is similar to Alternative A, with the exception that a 3.5 mile-long dedicated bus-only lane would be constructed between Benson Avenue and Vine Avenue and between Euclid Avenue and Vineyard Avenue in Ontario. (The SBCTA Board of Directors approved Alternative B as the locally preferred alternative at the January Board Meeting.)
As part of the environmental process, the draft EIR/EA will be circulated for forty-five (45) calendar days to allow government agencies, the public, and all stakeholders to provide comments on the environmental document and on the project in general. The 45-day public circulation is currently anticipated to commence in February 2018 and end in March 2018.  Public announcements will be posted as details are finalized.

To read more about the recent action by the SBCTA Board, click here to view the SBCTA January Board Agenda.

SBCTA Seeking Grants for Projects in San Bernardino County

Under the direction of the SBCTA Board of Directors, staff is committed to maximizing the chances of receiving competitive SB1 funds and bringing a fair share of those funds to the county. As a result, a draft funding strategy for the competitive programs has been developed using the information available from Sacramento about the funding opportunities.

Based on the current information available, Staff has identified four SBCTA priority infrastructure projects, based on prior direction provided by the Board to pursue implementation of these projects, as documented in the 10-Year Delivery Plan, and on suitability and perceived competitiveness for the SB1 programs.

These projects are:

  • Interstate 10 Corridos Contract 1 Project

  • Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP)

  • US 395 Widening Project, and

  • West Valley Connector (BRT) Project

For more information, see January's Board of Director's meeting agenda, agenda item 15.

COMING SOON TO THE SANTA FE DEPOT IN SAN BERNARDINO