ADMINISTRATION:

Ames Intermodal Facility:  According to the TIGER federal register announcing the grant opportunity, the U.S. DOT should be releasing TIGER awards by February 17, 2010.  Staff has spent time ensuring that the project is “ready to go” by obtaining concurrence from the Federal Transit Administration on necessary environmental work for the project.  In addition, the steering committee completed an Architectural & Engineering (A&E) selection process, contingent upon receiving funding, so that if TIGER funding is approved, fee negotiations could be immediately conducted, an A&E firm selected and final design thereafter.   (Sheri K. & Shari A.) 

Second Stimulus Approaching?:  The Iowa Department of Transportation recently accepted additional capital grant applications from transit agencies in case a second stimulus is released in spring 2010.  This comes after the House passed the Jobs for Main Street Act on December 16^th to create or save jobs here at home with targeted investments for transit as well as many other key economic growth drivers.  If approved through the senate and signed by the president, small urban Iowa transit systems (50,000 – 200,000 in population) would receive approximately the same amount of funding as in the previous stimulus, approximately $10.7 million.  The Iowa DOT would distribute funding focusing primarily replacing buses but would consider other capital projects as well.  Therefore, CyRide submitted the following projects to the IDOT for consideration:

From the first stimulus, CyRide received 100% federal funding for 7 large buses, 1 small bus, Steam Cleaning Rehabilitation and 10 hybrid upgrades for a total of $4,798,000.  (Sheri K. and Shari A.)

Passenger Transportation Plan:  The Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (AAMPO) 2011 Passenger Transportation Plan Update (PTP) was recently completed by CyRide staff and submitted to the Iowa Department of Transportation for their comments.  This planning update details the transportation needs in the Ames urbanized area for participating transportation providers and provides a listing of projects that “could” be developed into grant projects for federal/state funding.  CyRide works with area human service agencies and participating transportation providers in the development of this plan through the Story County Human Services Council.  The AAMPO will take action on the plan in April 2010.  (Shari A.)

OPERATIONS:

School Tours:  It is that time of year when 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 George, Tom B, Jenny, or Rob know.  (Rob and Jenny)

Remembering Your CDL:  Having an accurate watch to stay on schedule and a pen to record passenger totals are necessary tools for a driver.  However, a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) is essential for us to do our job.  We are all required to have our CDL with us when we are driving.  Therefore, license checks are conducted periodically to keep us on our toes and to assure that we are all prepared to drive when necessary.  Your CDL, don’t leave home without it!  (Karen)

Interior Temperature of Your Bus:  As the weather continues to stay cold we should talk a little about the interior bus temperatures.  All buses heat differently providing more heat to some areas than others.  Drivers should frequently walk through the bus to monitor the temperature of the passenger seating area as well as referring to the interior thermometer.  During winter, drivers will maintain their passenger compartment temperatures between 65-68 degrees F.  This insures that passengers in winter clothing do not become uncomfortable.  If the heater does not raise the temperature to this comfort range, the dispatcher should be notified.  (Rob/Jenny)

Tough Snow Warning:  When curbing your bus, be on the lookout for the piles of accumulated snow that will exist at the edges of the street.  The freeze-thaw cycle and road chemicals will turn this once fluffy material into something akin to concrete.  Adequately survey the situation when stopping and ensure there is enough room between your bus and any snow.  Hitting a frozen snow bank is a preventable accident.  Striking this glacier-like substance damaged several mini-bus step wells last year.  (Rob/Jenny)

Uniforms:  I know it seems like spring – but I fear winter has not yet left us, so in order to be prepared for more unpleasant weather, you can get some extra uniform items to keep you warm – if necessary.  If you would like a stocking hat or sweater, talk to Joanne.  If we do not have one on-hand, we can order one for you.  You should always be wearing CyRide issued items.  No other jackets, caps, hats, etc. should be worn when driving.  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 be wearing only your CyRide uniform.  (Rob and Jenny)

HIRING AND TRAINING:

New Instructors:  With the students on semester break and a majority of the buses in the garage, four drivers took the opportunity to enroll in the Instructor Training Program offered over the holiday break.  This group participated in classroom sessions and on the road training.  We want to welcome and congratulate Brian Grootveld, John Murray, Trevor McGraw, and Brent Klooster on their completion and new positions as New Driver Instructors.  (Tom B/George)

Slide Practice:  We finally got the ideal weather conditions to have everyone who was hired since last winter out to the parking lot to complete slide practice.  This helps to learn the skills needed to control your bus on slick roads.  Thanks to everyone who participated in this practice.  (Tom B/George)

The Glam on Grit:  Grit will no longer be applied to the steps and aisles of CyRide buses to prevent passengers from slipping.  Grit can only be applied outside your bus to improve passenger and bus traction at slick bus stops.  Grit causes severe damage to wheelchair lift/ramp mechanisms and bus flooring, and is considered an inhalation hazard when used inside buses because of its silica content.  Drivers will need to be extra careful in preventing the buildup of snow and ice on steps and aisles.  Frequent use of your ice scraper and brush to clear snow from these areas will prevent passengers from falling.  (George and Tom B)

FLEET AND FACILITIES

Bus Procurement Schedule Changed:  Just a head’s up that CyRide currently has twenty-one buses on order (15 large and 6 small) pending with delivery now expected between May and August 2010!  The hybrid manufacturer, Voith, requested Gillig move up the production schedule for the hybrids so they could complete the build at the same time avoiding additional travel for their factory representatives.  As a result all vehicles should be delivered prior to the start of fall service.  A note of caution - our build dates are not guaranteed, so it may be as late as November before all of the buses are delivered. Summer will be a busy one for the maintenance department of switching out vehicles and finding additional parking for our growing fleet.  Maintenance will also begin selling retired buses during this period. (Rich L.)

Procurement                                                                    Delivery Date

12 Gillig 40-foot low-floor HYBRID buses                    July 2010

  3 Gillig 40-foot low-floor diesel buses                        August 2010

      (replaces 926, 980, 927, 983, 981)

  6 Eldorado minibuses                                                 May 2010

      (replaces 859, 938, 939, 949, 960, 961)        

BREAK ROOM COMMITTEE CORNER

CyRide Chili Day – Mark your Calendars for Monday, March 8th:  The Employee Break Room Committee has scheduled CyRide Chili Day for Monday, March 8 from 9:00 a.m. until the chili is gone. Put on your chef’s hat, dig out your cookbooks, bring out your families secret recipe, and start cooking on Sunday. If you do not cook, help support the chili day by providing a side dish, dessert, or condiments to compliment the chili selections.

Items supplied by the committee: bowls, spoons, napkins, milk, and crackers. Please bring your ladle and be sure to label your ladle/crockpot.  Watch for details later in the month and reminders in your mailbox.  There will be a drawing for all employees at the end of the day!

Break Room Committee is Asking for Your Suggestions:  Please submit your proposals to the Break Room Committee; we are looking for ideas and suggestions for events throughout the year and would like your thoughts!

Recruiting: The Break Room Committee has some openings on the committee. If you would be interested in serving a term on the Break Room Committee, please contact one of the current members: Eric Ollie, Ray Coffey, Jerry Alexander, Brent Klooster, and Joanne Van Dyke or attend one of our meetings. Meetings held the first Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. (No meetings during the summer.)

Thanks:  Last, but not least, “Thank You” to employees who have supplied coffee, creamer, sugar, sugar substitutes, tea, cocoa, cider, etc. to the coffee resource and supplies to utilize the hot water spigot.  Everyone appreciates your donations.