October 5, 2007

ADMINISTRATION:

Alternative Analysis Funding Opportunity – Last Signals, you were updated on the completion of the Ames Transit Feasibility Study.  It can be viewed at http://www.cyride.com/planning_policies/Transit_Feasibility_Study.html.  This study reviewed seven corridors throughout Ames examining the need for expanded or new services within these areas.  While the study provided direction for services in each of the corridors, the most dramatic recommendation was for Orange Route.

The study suggested that Orange Route convert its operations to a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to improve operations for this corridor.  The study illustrated that the Orange route would meet minimum requirements needed to qualify for New Starts funding.  New Starts funding allows capital expenses for vehicles, maintenance facilities and BRT amenities as part of the overall project estimated at $7.6 million.  BRT improvements would include the following: articulated buses, 50% dedicated route to transit, intersection signal prioritization to buses, enhanced bus stops for quicker boarding, automated passenger counters and next bus arrival time signage.  New Starts funding also supports Alternative Analysis studies to justify the large capital investment for a BRT corridor.

Since finalizing the Transit Feasibility Study, CyRide applied and received an earmark of $160,000 in federal funding to support an “Alternatives Analysis” study to further evaluate this BRT concept along the Orange Route Corridor.  Ames was the only system in Iowa to receive this special earmark funding.

Within the next few months, CyRide will be obtaining public input on the results of the first study, service options recommended within each of the seven corridors and possibility of continued study efforts along the Orange Route.  CyRide will be holding several public hearings between now and December toward this end.  In particular, the Dinky was not recommended to be reinstituted in Ames between campus and the downtown area and the community should be aware of this result.  After the community has been informed, comments from the meetings will be reviewed by CyRide’s Board of Trustees at their January 2008 meeting.  The Board would then make a decision whether to proceed with the Alternatives Analysis (BRT) study as well as commit to the local match requirement of $40,000 for the full $200,000 grant opportunity for the “Alternative Analysis” study.

If you have questions regarding the study or want to view a hardcopy of the study, please contact Shari Atwood at 239-5539.  Staff will keep you informed of CyRide’s direction in the February 2008 Signals’ issue.  (Shari A.)

OPERATIONS:

The Art of Moving Back:  With our increase in ridership and as the weather gets cooler and cooler, it is imperative to ask our passengers to move back on the bus so more people can board.  Making a request to your passenger is an ART.

Attention Getter
Request Politely
Thank your passengers for their cooperation

Here are some sample announcements:

"May I have your attention; I have just a few more people to board if you would please move back in the aisle a few steps…Thank you."

"Good Morning, we have a lot of passengers traveling with us this morning if everyone would move back a step or two we will have room for everyone…Thank you."

Morning Orange route drivers should make this announcement after they leave the parking lot, so there is room for passengers boarding at Maple Hall.  (Barb and Jenny)

Parking Buses Outside during Nice Weather:  We are having many buses left outside with the front doors open.  When buses are parked outside the front doors should be closed.  Please remember to close windows and roof vents also.  (Barb and Jenny)

Parking Buses Outside during Cold Weather:  When parking buses outside the garage in cold weather, the following procedures must be done:

Leave the transmission in neutral.
Set the parking brake (do not use the rear door interlock as a parking brake).
Close all windows and roof vents.
Turn off all interior lights and fans.
Turn off the 4-way flashers.
Close the front door by reaching through the driver’s window
Close the driver’s window.

When parking a big bus outside and the outside temperature is 20 degrees or below, do not turn off the bus engine.  When parking a minibus outside and the outside temperature is 0 degrees or below, do not turn off the bus engine.  The high idle and front heat or defrost should be left on all buses.  This procedure will prevent the front windows from frosting over and diesel fuel from gelling and clogging both fuel lines and filters.  (Barb & Jenny)

Fall Back:  Daylight Savings Time ends November 4th.  Do not forget to set your clock (or watch) back one hour.  Enjoy that extra hour of sleep!  (Barb & Jenny)

MARKETING:

Stuff the Bus:  We are participating in the fifth annual “stuff the bus” promotion with The Iowa State Daily, The Tribune, and KCCQ/KASI.  We are encouraging residents to help us “stuff the bus” by donating food to MICA (Mid-Iowa Community Action).  Last year we filled two buses collecting 300 boxes of food, which totaled $15,000 and over $2,500 in donations.

Individuals can drop off their non-perishable food donations at one of the CyRide buses located at Fareway, both HyVee locations and Cub Foods, October 5 and 6.  (Barb)

75 Million Mark:  Since September 1976, CyRide has carried 74,777,594 passengers (through 9/30/2007).  The 75,000,000th passenger should ride about October 11.  That is amazing.  (Barb)

HIRING AND TRAINING:

 
Training:  Thanks to everyone’s hard work helping to get all of our new drivers through training and ready for Fall.  We really appreciate all of the work that the instructors have done to help with our additional drivers.  (Tom B and George)

New Faces:  Seeing unfamiliar faces in the break-room lately?  Since the end of the spring semester, CyRide has started 25 new drivers.  When meeting these new drivers, give them a warm CyRide welcome!  (Tom B and George)

Snow and Slide Training:  Drivers who started at CyRide after March will be receiving both snow and slide training.  Snow training is classroom instruction highlighting proper vehicle handling techniques on ice and snow.  Slide training is conducted when weather conditions permit at the Hilton Coliseum (ISC) parking lot.  Drivers will attain speeds of 30 mph (or greater) and purposely slide (skid) their bus to experience the "feel" of winter driving conditions.  These "skid drills" will help build confidence in your ability to handle anything an Iowa winter can produce.  Tom Budd and George will be contacting you if you need this training.  (Tom B and George)

Don’t Block the Crosswalk:  Drivers, when multiple buses are pulling up to Gilman Hall (Red 1A, Green East, Blue South, Brown South, Purple, etc.), please do not block the crosswalk.  If the first bus is occupying the bus stop at Gilman, the trailing second bus should stop before the crosswalk at this location.  Blocking the crosswalk at Gilman, or any other location, presents a safety hazard for pedestrians and increases the likelihood that your bus will contact a pedestrian.  (Tom B and George)

Spring 2008 Run Pick:  We will hold Spring Run Pick in late November or early December (after students have had a chance to pick their spring classes.)  This is for drivers who will have conflicts with their current work schedule due to spring semester classes.  Runs from drivers that have conflicts as well as all runs that are currently open will be made available in the run pick.  You will be able to choose new runs from these available runs.  You can only drop runs that conflict with a new spring classes.  If anyone wants to drop a run that doesn’t conflict, they should utilize the Drop/Swap board.  Drivers will choose their new runs based on seniority as of October 31, 2007.  (Tom B and George)

FLEET AND FACILITIES

New to Us Buses:  In order to meet increased ridership demands we have purchased six 1989 Orion V buses from Iowa City Transit.  These buses are 40-feet long, have air conditioning and wheelchair lifts, and have been well maintained during their service life.  The shop is working diligently to bring three of them up to “CyRide” standards by winter.  (Rich)

New Buses:  We have also started the process for purchasing new buses.  Three new Gilligs are on order with a projected delivery date of August 2008.  The new buses will have stainless steel chassis like the Orion VII’s. The driver’s area will be very similar to the 1999 Gillig lowfloors, which should make training easier. (Rich)

The Building and Cold Weather: Building heat is usually turned on the third or fourth week of October, so we’ll need to start keeping the overhead doors closed. Please keep idle times to a minimum by using the air hose to air your bus. With the mobile offices located in the storage area, it is critical that we maintain good air quality this winter. (Rich)