Thereafter, the consultant performs a more in-depth on-site review which is scheduled for July 28-29, 2008.  During this time, the consultant discusses each of the areas and requests additional documentation if necessary to complete their analysis.  The consultant then generates a report to submit to FTA outlying any deficiencies or advisory comments in each of the 23 areas.  Depending on the area of deficiency, CyRide has a short time to resolve any outstanding issues from the review.  (Sheri K. and Shari A.)

Building Issues –

Pending issues within the building have been documented in a building suggestion file and staff is working on these different issues as time allows.  Additional furniture purchases and accommodations still need to be implemented; however, please be patient during this time as it will take time to research, order and implement.  Delivery of some items takes 3-4 weeks at a minimum.  Obviously, operational issues such as floods, performance reviews and triennial reviews take precedence taking most of staff’s time.  Here’s an update of some of the purchases either in process or yet to be made:

Patio: Picnic tables(2) and trash can (1); Table umbrellas (2); Bench (8-foot)

Breakroom: Trashcans (2); Recycle bins (pop bottle/cans & glass) – this is a LEED requirement

Storage room (downstairs): shelving/hanging

Lobby: Schedule/brochure holder

Conference Room: Small Refrigerator – cold drinks for board/guests.

Copy Room (downstairs): Server wall shelving unit making more room to access copier

Break Room/Hallways/Common Areas: New driver mailboxes; Employee picture board refinishing; New welcome Board; tackboard to replace breakroom white-board; additional tackboards for postings; suggestion box; clock purchase/synchronization

Outside: East-side parking lot sidewalk reconfiguration for easier building access during inclement weather.

If you still have suggestions/issues that need addressed, please see Rich or Barb.

(Sheri K and Shari A.)

Dump the Pump Day –

Thursday, June 19^th is the annual “Dump the Pump” Day, a national event geared toward the encouragement of people to get out of their cars and ride public transportation.  CyRide will be participating in this event by promoting FREE rides on our buses for the entire day.  Staff will be promoting the event in the next few weeks on our website and through news releases with special marketing.  (Shari A.)

Charter Regulations –

New federal charter regulations went into effect on April 30, 2008 which modifies the definition of charter service as it once was provided within the Ames community.  Prior to this date, CyRide worked with CIT and Midwest to provide a coordinated event service involving transporting large group movements.  Even though there is a desire between CyRide and the private transportation operators to work together, there does not seem to be a way to legally provide event services without going against the new regulations. 

Any service/route provided by CyRide on a limited basis paid through a third party could be considered a charter.  Therefore, staff has been working to ensure that all route services (Orange & Towers Routes) are properly paid under the third party agreement instead of through separate contracts to avoid any “charter” implications.  However periodic event services such as Iowa State Fair, Odyssey of the Mind or GOP Straw Poll Shuttle, CyRide cannot participate in providing the transportation without suffering severe penalties if a complaint is filed.  As a result, CyRide drivers will see a reduction in the special events requested to drive in the future.

CyRide can continue to provide charters under certain exceptions for designated human service organizations or for emergency response situations such as floods.  CyRide can also transport elected officials up to 80 hours/year.  CyRide can continue helping the community with special events such as RAGBRAI by adding extra buses into regular route service and direct those participants to utilize CyRide’s regular route services.  (Sheri K. and Shari A.) 

Bike Racks on Buses Demonstration Project –

CyRide’s Board directed staff at the June board meeting to develop a demonstration project using a small number of bike racks on the buses to test the community’s reaction to the possibility of placing this feature on all buses in the future.  Outfitting the entire fleet with bike racks would add an additional foot to each bus creating a concern for parking within the current facility.  It was the Board’s hope to place racks along one route to truly test the impact of this amenity.  However, the fall schedule was built to have buses alternate routes at the mall several times within a run, there was no clear way to place the bike racks on only one route.  After staff analyzed the possibilities and parking limitations, CyRide will place four buses on trips that would operate throughout the entire day primarily on the #1 Red and #3 Blue routes.  These routes travel along long corridors and are heavily used which would provide a better test for the amenity.   The following summarizes the affect for red/blue buses:

Ø      Weekday – Every 1-2 hours with 3 hour gaps throughout the day.  (See Tom D. for highlighted schedule if interested.)

Ø      Weekday night – All red/blue buses (7:00pm – end of service)

Ø      Saturday – Every other trip red/blue (during school year)/ All red/blue trips (breaks/summer)

Ø      Sunday – All red/blue buses

The bike rack policy will be first come, first serve and an additional bus will not be deployed for additional demand of bike racks.   Drivers can advise passengers of when the next bus with a bike rack by looking at the timetable noted with a bicycle symbol.  Each bike rack will hold two bikes and the customer will load/unload their own bike.  However, it will be important for drivers to know how use the equipment.  For buses arriving late due to heavy utilization of the bike racks, drivers are requested to radio-in to dispatch per the current policy.  Dispatch would deploy mobile or another bus to help in this situation.  Mirrors will be installed to allow drivers to ensure that the bike rack is not deployed.  Marketing of the demonstration program will be the final task in creating a “how to” brochure for the bike program.  In addition to the above red/blue buses, the public will have an opportunity to vote on a route/trip of their choice adding a 5^th bus to the bike rack program.  Again, these sporadic trips will be noted with a bicycle symbol to delineate which trips can load bikes.  Staff hopes to have a total of 10 bike racks purchased and implemented by September 2008. 

Fare Free Grant Application –

CyRide received the results from the Fare Free Grant application that was submitted to the Office of Energy Independence (OEI) for Iowa Power Funding discussed in the last Signals issue.  The application was not approved with comments stating that free fares would not alter commuter’s mode choice and ridership would not increase.  However, staff and CyRide’s board differs with this opinion.  OEI has not approved any transit applications thus far and has requested the Iowa Power Fund direct us on what types of applications would “fare well” with the OEI.  The majority of funding approved has been for research projects. (Shari A.)

OPERATIONS:

Time Clock Messages-

We will be using the time clock more and more to leave messages for drivers.  With no time cards to leave notes on, this is the most convenient and efficient way to leave you a message from someone in the office.

When there is a message for an employee on the time clock, there will be several long beeps when you swipe your key fob to clock in or out (it normally has two short beeps).  If you hear those long beeps please look for a message on the screen.

The machine only holds 20 characters so the messages will be short such as “Please see Karen” or “C Joanne 4 Uniform”.  Thanks!  (Karen)

HIRING AND TRAINING:

Perfecting Your Skills “Setup Turns”

Setting up turns is an important skill at CyRide.  It allows us to make tight turns while keeping our right side protected from vehicle intrusions.  Most of us know the mechanics of a setup turn:  checking our mirror before setting up, starting the setup 25’ from the intersection, turning the wheel back when you can see down the curb line.  What is easy to forget is the critical role that speed plays in a setup turn.  To be done effectively, they must be done SLOWLY.  If a setup turn is done too quickly, the right side of the bus is moved away from the curb line as though you were performing a lane change.  As you can imagine, if you allow enough room for a car to enter the space between you and the curb as you are proceeding around the corner, a serious collision can result.  Next time you do a setup turn; carefully watch your right mirror to see how far away from the curb your rear tire travels.  If you find yourself to far from the curb, try slowing down your turn.  (Tom and George)

FLEET AND FACILITIES

New Large Buses

Four new Gilligs will be starting down the assembly line for CyRide on June 16^th.  It only takes a total of 13 working days to completely assemble a bus; it’s pretty amazing to see the efficiencies of each workstation.  The first bus will be complete July 2^nd, and each following day another will be completed.  Jon Hatt and I will be traveling to the plant during construction to ensure the buses meet our standards.  They should arrive at our facility starting in the second week of July.  (Chad)

New Mini Bus

CyRide’s new Mini bus has been ordered and is expected to be delivered in early August.  It is a Ford equipped with the 6.0L diesel option and two wheelchair restraint positions.  It will be very similar to our current buses but the engine will be noticeably quieter for driver and passenger comfort.  (Chad)