ADMINISTRATION:

CyRide Maintenance Facility:  At the March 2010 CyRide Board Meeting, URS was hired to solidify CyRide’s potential for future expansion of maintenance/storage spaces on the current site, ensuring needs are met 20 years into the future.  Previous plans have left the board questioning if maximization of the site had occurred and wants staff to be creative in its efforts to utilize every square inch of the available property in this next analysis.  If the current site cannot accomplish this task, then a possibility exists of expanding onto the ISU soccer fields south of CyRide.  Apparently, ISU Athletics Department has discussed moving the fields near the Towers complex to coincide with other athletic improvements to avoid the flooding issues over the past several years.  If CyRide can mitigate flooding impacts and get the approval of the Federal Transit Administration and if the athletic department moves the ISU soccer fields, CyRide could expand south and keep all transit operations at one centralized location near campus.  Staff feels the possibility is worthwhile to consider and will be undergoing this analysis over the next few months.  CyRide has over $3 million in federal funding available to develop final architectural/engineering plans and construct additional storage/maintenance areas in the next few years.  (Sheri K. and Shari A.)

Intermodal Transportation Facility REDESIGNED:  On February 17, 2010, CyRide received $8.463 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Funds from the 2009 Recovery Act for construction of the Ames Intermodal Facility in campustown.  This allocation was approximately 20% of the full $39.3 million requested.  Therefore the project partners (CyRide, Iowa State University and the City of Ames) have been working to scale down the project to meet the existing funding availability and obtain approval from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

A consultant firm, Neumann Monson Architects based out of Des Moines, has been hired to perform the preliminary architectural and engineering work for this smaller and perhaps phased design approach.  There will certainly be elements of the initial conceptual design placed within the TIGER application that will not be part of the final design, due to the reduced funding available.  However, FTA has also indicated that a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for round two of TIGER funding will be available this month and that CyRide would be eligible to apply.  Therefore, additional elements may be added in the future if funding comes to light.

The new Intermodal Transportation Facility design will be unveiled to the public on Wednesday, April 7^th at 5:30pm at a meeting in the Memorial Union’s Pioneer Room, located on the third floor.  Comments will be taken at this time in regard to the new facility design.  The new design is hoped to meet FTA’s approval by mid-May, so the project can continue into the final architectural/engineering phase and eventual construction.  For general information on the initial concept design for the Ames Intermodal Transportation Facility, please go to www.cyride.com.  (Sheri K and Sheri A.)

CyRide Website:  Over the past few weeks, CyRide staff has reviewing proposals to redesign and host CyRide’s website.  This process has been coordinated by the City of Ames as they go through their process of redesign and hosting for the entire organization.  Four eligible candidates were chosen to give presentations/interview to the city website administrators and CyRide staff of which are currently on-going.  Those firms are: egov Strategies:  Indianapolis, IN; Civic Plus:  Manhattan, KS; American Eagle:  Chicago, IL.; Vision Internet:  Santa Monica, CA.  All firms have a web-based Content Management Software system that should make it easier to manipulate and add content as events/emergencies occur as any user with web-access and privileges could make the appropriate changes to the site.  CyRide hopes to have the new website design completed to go live by early August before the start of fall service! (Shari A.)

Google Transit Update:  Google Transit is a “free” trip planner provided through Google for transit agencies willing to ensure reliable data.  It allows passengers of participating agencies to get step-by-step transit directions of how to ride transit.  CyRide would be the first transit agency in Iowa to utilize Google Transit as no other Iowa communities are yet incorporated.  To date, Keith W. has devoted countless hours to create the data necessary to begin this process and the operations’ department staff has been internally beta testing issues for the past several months and making corrections.  A few issues remain such as:

·        Google Maps has not integrated ISU campus sidewalks within their system leaving walking scenarios on campus less than desirable

·        Google does not support buses with bike rack or wheelchair specific information

·        Google does not support on-demand services impacting Silver Route and Moonlight E services

·        Google does not support routes doubling back over the same road in the same direction like Yellow’s Buckeye loop

·        Google is reluctant to offer transfers at non-timepointed stops (Red East to Brown North at Friley).

The goal is to beta-test with passengers soon and have Google Transit officially roll out with the new website design in fall 2010 if not before.  (Shari A.)

OPERATIONS:

Driver Run Pick Dates:  Summer and Fall 2010 run picks will be on the following dates:

·        Summer Full Time:  April 5-8

·        Summer Part Time:  April 13-19

·        Fall Full Time:  April 12-15

·        Fall Part Time:  April 20-30

There will be handouts for the newer drivers along with posted information on the bulletin boards as to how run pick works and what to expect.  Check the hallway bulletin board near the break room for the latest run pick news.

Help a Laneworker:  Now that the weather is warming, when you return to base to park your bus at the end of your shift, please close all windows and roof vents.  Also walk through your bus and pick-up any rubbish or lost items.  Doing the above will make the laneworker’s life easier when they clean and refuel your bus.

Summer Uniform Option:  The summer uniform policy starts April 15; however, due to a driver request and the unseasonably warm weather, you can wear your uniform shorts and polo shirts if the predicted temperature is 70 degrees or above.  We will use Channel 8 for the official local forecasting.  Enjoy the warm weather!

Window to Window:  All Drivers and Dispatchers should be wearing only their CyRide issued uniform when they report for duty.  It is fine to wear your own coats, jackets, etc to and from work.  However, when you report to the Dispatch window and go out to your bus you should have only your CyRide uniform on.  If you would like uniform shorts or any other items and do not have them, please let Joanne know and she will order them for you.

VEISHEA:  VEISHEA 2010 is Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April 17 where CyRide is expecting heavy ridership throughout those days and evenings.  There will also be numerous road closings for the festivities.  Typically, Welch Avenue and Lower Friley are closed Friday, April 16 through Sunday, April 18.  On Saturday, most of campus will be closed for the parade.  We will post information at dispatch as it becomes available.  Expect detours!

Summer Route Changes:  The following route changes for this summer are as follows:

·        Morrill Road will be closed all summer for construction.  Orange routes will use Bissell.

·        Gray route (4 and 4A) times have been adjusted slightly to space out the Orange and Gray buses on campus.

·        Gray route is extended to E. Lincolnway.  It will travel north on Bell-Graham-Alexander-E. Lincolnway-Bell back to DMACC.

·        Purple route afternoon times have been changed to match school year times.

·        Aqua route service for the new Furman Aquatic Center begins on May 29^th and ends at the start of ISU classes.  It will operate from 12:30pm to 8:00pm seven days a week.

HIRING AND TRAINING:

Thunderstorms and Tornadoes:  Late spring in Iowa heralds the arrival of severe weather.  During severe weather, the dispatcher will monitor weather radio, internet, and television broadcasts and will notify drivers of dangerous conditions.  Drivers should notify the dispatcher if they must stop due to poor visibility caused by heavy rain or hail.  Drivers should also call the dispatcher for instructions if a detour is required due to street flooding, downed tree limbs, etc.

In the event of a tornado warning, drivers should stop the bus in a safe location.  Drivers should then direct their passengers to the nearest building for shelter.  If no building is available, drivers should instruct their passengers to stay on the bus and remain below window level.  Once the sirens have stopped, drivers should contact the dispatcher for further instructions.  (Dorothy and Toto; aka Tom and George)

Garage Door Safety Reminder:  Drivers, when pulling a bus out of the garage on the east end of the building (doors 1-7), stop in front of the open door, exit the bus, and walk over to the door control poles to close the door.  Do not drive over to the door controls to activate the garage door.  Doing this blocks other buses from safely exiting other garage doors and increases the likelihood that you could inadvertently close a garage door on a bus exiting out of the door you originally came out of.  (Tom B and George)

School Tours:  It is that time of year, CyRide will be helping pre-school and grade school students become better bus riders.  CyRide offers two individual programs:  a Pre-Riders program designed for younger children and an Independent Riders program designed for older children.  Each program includes a bus wash, safety talk, and several promotional items.  If you are interested in being involved in school tours, please let Tom B or George know.

FLEET AND FACILITIES

Is that a new bus?...No, it’s a Fresno:  If you haven’t seen our new bus, unit 116, added to the fleet, its time to go take a look.  CyRide employees have commented that if it weren’t for the FAX seating, CyRide passengers would not be able to tell it wasn’t a new bus!  Maintenance employees did an outstanding job in reinventing a 1993 Fresno bus for CyRide service.  Approximately 373 hours and nearly $8,000 (without labor costs) was spent to purchase, transport and revive the first Fresno vehicle to CyRide standards.  Specifically, replaced parts and major work installed included: front/side destination signs (via 926), windows (via 926), driver barrier panel (via 926), new fluids/filters, painted back of seats blue, rebuilt left/right rear suspension with all new bushings, webasto, door/framing/box, LED lights, wired up top rear flashers, mirrors, bike rack, flip open fuel cap, electric starter, new batteries, repainted entire bus, new electric wipers and washer hoses, dash fans, farebox, radio and added CyRide decals… and much, much more!  The second Fresno bus goes in for its paint job this week.  Great job to the entire maintenance department for your hard work on the first of CyRide’s newest fleet addition!  (Chad K. & Shari A.)

Buses and More Buses:  Last Friday, staff had a meeting to discuss a scenario to finally replace the PACE, Madison and GMC’s within CyRide’s fleet while ensuring 68 active vehicles within the fleet for fall 2010 pull-out.  When is all said and done, CyRide will have a 100% air-conditioned fleet, 100% bike-rack equipped fleet, 100% four-cycle fleet; unless they’re in a contingency fleet.  A small contingency of buses would be retained to plan for the un-eventful situations such as contractors pulling their ability to aid CyRide for extra vehicles throughout the year or when 3-4 extra CyRide buses are needed overnight at the beginning of the school year to meet pull-out.  A contingency bus would only circulate when needed or just enough to ensure it is in good working order for when it is critically needed.  This bus replacement plan would reduce parts inventory to only four different unit types, simplify bus assignments for dispatchers, simplify vehicle parking for lane workers and eliminate the purchase of 47,000 gallons of premium #1 diesel fuel.  This change out of vehicles will add the following buses coming into the fleet:

·          7 – 1993 used Fresno Gilligs (make-ready maintenance in progress)

·          9 – 1997 used Des Moines Gillig Phantom highfloors

·        12 – 2010 new Gillig Hybrids

·          3 – 2010 new Gillig Low-floors Diesels

In addition, CyRide will replace 6 mini-buses with new Eldorado vehicles in May 2010.  Though this scenario, maintenance will have 37 new vehicles to the fleet going in/out of the maintenance shops between May and August.  All of the Des Moines Gillig Phantoms painting will be immediately outsourced with only minimal engine/maintenance work needed to bring them to CyRide standards.  CyRide will also purchase 5 - 1994 Des Moines Gilligs salvaging parts for the Fresno vehicles saving approximately $45,000 within the budget.  In summary, the maintenance department will be extremely busy over the summer months with this flood of buses through the shop so give maintenance some words of encouragement as the buses roll in and out.  The result will be a newer, fully accessible, bike equipped fleet for operators to drive in the fall 2010!  (Rich L., Chad K. & Shari A.)

EIFS Replacement and Sidewalks:  Construction is currently underway to replace the EIFS on the west side of the facility nearest to the cooling towers.  This effort will replace the Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS) material, better known as synthetic stucco, with a fire-resistant siding and relocate a vent to the south side of the facility.  EIFS was material utilized quite a bit in 1980’s to provide better insulation to facilities to conserve energy.  The new material selected may eventually be a replacement alternative to the remainder of the facility as the EIFS becomes an annual maintenance effort when moisture seeps underneath leading to rot and cracking.  The replacement construction on the west wall should be complete by May 2010.

In addition, a sidewalk was added to the east side of the parking lot making it easier for CyRide employees to access the employee entrance.  This work was planned to commence last year but was halted due to the accumulation and longevity of snowfall on the ground last winter.  (Rich L.)

BREAK ROOM COMMITTEE CORNER  (Eric Ollie, Ray Coffey, Jerry Alexander, Brent Klooster, Joanne Van Dyke and ________________ insert your name!)

Apply Now 1^st Monday of each Month at 6 pm:  There is no need for a CyRide safety award or formal resume to join CyRide’s Break Room Committee.  We’ll take anyone that has a positive attitude and great ideas for improving CyRide functions and/or break room environment!  Join now and you could be a major contributor to our next “save the date” event.  What is more important than improving the break room area for your fellow co-workers?  Just show up at 6:00 pm on the first Monday of every month or contact a present break room member (listed above) for more information.  There are still two spots available on the committee to fill, so “apply now” by just showing up and bring your ideas with you!