Signals August 2001


	August 1, 2001

OPERATIONS:

Fall Meetings: The annual fall meetings have been scheduled in August. We will be discussing the fare free implementation, new services, performance trends and other items of interest. Bring your questions and comments. (Bob).

Green Route Extension: We have reached an agreement with Hunziker and Associates to buy one residential lot at the corner of California and Ontario, west of the current Brookview subdivision. The lot will be purchased some time in August. An off street turnaround (similar to the one at the end of Red route) will be constructed either this fall or next spring. The Green route will be extended with the spring, 2002 or fall, 2002 schedule depending on when the construction is finished. We will not operate on Toronto and Georgia when the route is extended. (Bob)

Three Million Plus and Counting: During this last year, CyRide transported 3,044,456 passengers, an increase of 28,047 over the previous year. With partial fare free service starting next semester, look for our passenger counts to dramatically increase. (George)

Proximity Cards (Gate Cards): The ISU Department of Public Safety will be activating the gates on Osborn Drive prior to the start of the fall semester. When you drive up to the gates, you will see a black square (about a foot square) mounted on a cement monolith. This black square is the card reader. You need only hold your vehicles’ card up to the reader to activate the gate. The card readers should be able to read your card once it is within 18-24 inches of the reader. During the week of August 20-24, each CyRide vehicle will be issued a gate card that will stay within that vehicle (cards will be in a plastic envelope located on the vehicle’s clipboard or dashboard). Drivers should ensure that they have their vehicle’s gate card when starting or taking over a shift. Report lost cards immediately in order for a replacement to be obtained. (George)

Stowing Wheel Chair Restraints: After utilizing the wheelchair restraint system in mini-buses, properly secure and stow all straps and restraining devices (telescoping arm). By retracting all straps into their holders and collapsing the telescoping arm, these devices are kept cleaner and a tripping hazard for drivers and passengers is eliminated. (George)

Kids Crossing in Front of the Bus: Please ensure that when children depart your bus that they do not cross in front of your vehicle (especially when transferring from one bus to another across a street). Children should move to the rear of the bus so they can see oncoming traffic. If necessary, have small children exit the bus through the front doors in order for you to better determine where they are. With school starting this month, we will have many new and unfamiliar "little riders." Please be careful! (George)

Mirrors, Mirrors, and Mirrors: We have placed two new mirrors on the Orion V’s. The first one is actually the old style convex mirror that is currently on most of the fleet. The second one is a new longer, full convex mirror that George and I found on a transit trip to Calgary. The new "old" mirror is on 958. The new "new" mirror is on 955. Please write up any comments you may have on maintenance cards. (Barb)

Example of improper parking in front of doors 7-11.

Lane 11 Congestion: Please do not park buses "nose to tail" in front of doors 7-11 (see photo above). Doing so restricts the roadway in front of the garage making it a safety hazard. When you return to base in the late afternoon (4.30pm +), pull your bus into the wash bay or lane 11. The first five buses should be parked in the garage (see diagram below). The next three buses should be parked outside on the west end of the building. The next five should be parked along the curb facing west (towards campus). The last three buses, if necessary, should be parked in front of doors 3-5. (George)

HIRING AND TRAINING:

Trainer: Recruitment for the Transit Trainer position is underway. Applications will be accepted until August 8. Interviews will be conducted during the week of August 20 and we hope to have the person hired by the second or third week in September. The job description is posted in the break room, on the City of Ames web site, and here at cyride.com. The pay range is $34,083 to $49,219. Starting salary will be between $34,083 and $41,835.

MARKETING:

"go to class…": We have added the "go to class, ride the bus, call your mom (or dad)" to the newest buses – the Orion V’s.

New Student Days: The new student day orientation is an action-packed program designed as the official kick-off for incoming freshman at ISU. Iowa State is expecting over 2,500 participants. Student leaders, faculty, and staff create a program to help freshman make a successful transition to college life. During the orientation, they will discover the many resources available to help them succeed at ISU, one of them being CyRide.

One of the requirements of the orientation is to learn how to use CyRide. All team leaders and participants will have bus passes, valid until August 30. In addition to riding the fixed routes we will be showcasing CyRide by providing shuttles on Thursday, August 23^rd, from 5:15pm to 12:00am to several of the events. The shuttles will transport people between CY Stephens, Lied, Beyer Hall, Friley Hall, and the Towers.

This is a fantastic opportunity to sell CyRide and gain ridership and support. (Barb)

SHOP:

New Garage: The architect is still working on the master plan for our site. They are narrowing down the choices and we hope to have a final site plan in the next month. (Bob)

Iowa State Center Shelter: The bids came in higher than expected for the Iowa State Center bus shelter and waiting area. The project is moving forward, but may be delayed a few weeks. Completion is still expected before winter. (Bob)

Laneworker Scott Hassler eagerly searches out dirt and debris while operating CyRide’s "Zamboni".

Awards Committee: The Employee Awards Committee has informed CyRide that Jon Buss has been chosen to receive the Employee Suggestion Award. Jon took the initiative to look into new automotive paint vendors and found a cheaper source, saving the City of Ames money. Jon, good work and thank you. (Terry)

Unit 926: The rehab on unit 926 will not start until the fall semester has begun. Unit 910 will be back on the road very soon. (Terry)

Fire Department Bus Orientation: The bus orientation went very well. We spent about an hour and a half each day for three days. The Fire Department was shown emergency exits, battery disconnects, door controls, W/C lifts, air brakes, and had a basic bus orientation. This is to help them serve our passengers in the best possible way in case of an emergency. They also walked though the building to get a feel for where things are in case of a fire here. (Terry)