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Transportation Milestones

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| 1885 - 1917 | 1920 - 1949 | 1951 - 1979 | 1980 - 1997 | 2000 - present |

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Transportation: 1980 - 1997

• 1980
  Omnitrans received 41 new GMC RTS-II coaches. The Mercedes and half of the Flexibles were retired. The fleet was launched in a parade in downtown San Bernardino to City Hall where they were dedicated. Frank Hrovat won first place in the first annual Roadeo held in August and went on to compete in national competition in San Diego. Passenger count for all fixed routes was 2,278,281. Staff grew to 237.

• 1981
  The Board of Directors and Technical Advisory Committee reviewed proposed Comprehensive Operational Analysis recommendations, and possible service cutback. In order to comply with the SB260 farebox recovery ratio, a fare increase was implemented. Adult fare went to 50 cents, students 35 cents and elderly and handicapped 25 cents. Bill Lauwers, winner of Omnitrans’ 2nd Annual Bus Roadeo, went on to finish 9th at the national competition in Chicago.

• 1982
  A law effective January 1, Omnitrans patrons could be fined up to $50 for nonpayment of bus fares, playing radios or spitting while riding buses. Change in the penal code applied to public transportation agencies statewide. At US festival, Omnitrans provide 60 buses a day plus management and supervisory staff to coordinate. For the first time since 1976 Omnitrans took first place in Fleet Safety, National Safety Council, greater Los Angeles area.

• 1983
  Director of Maintenance John Oxrider, met with the City of Montclair’s Planning Commission, to get the plans approved for the West Valley Transit Maintenance and Operations Facility. The “We’ve Got the Answer” campaign was targeted primarily to families without a second car. Staff grew to 234 full time employees.

• 1984
  Over 100 presentations of the Hugo and Taro Program were made to area schools. Outside bus advertising began. Fixed route ridership reached 3,454,794. Demand response ridership reached 559,000.

• 1985
  The Sierra Shopper in Fontana began; 22 passengers per hour ridership exceeded the system average. Van Go, a door-to-door van service, replacing west valley Dial-A-Ride went into effect. National Safety Council awarded Omnitrans employees first and second places at the Los Angeles Chapter awards dinner. Accident-free record for service vehicles won Maintenance employees first place in the Public Utilities Division. An improvement in lowering the bus accident rate earned coach operators a second place in the Motor-coach Transit Division. Omnitrans broke ground for Operations and Maintenance Facility at Montclair. New logo appeared.

• 1986
  A dedicated elderly and handicap (E and H) service called Dial-A-Ride GOLD was introduced in selected cities replacing the general farebox Dial-A-Ride that required a higher farebox ratio. The Montclair Operations and Maintenance Facility was dedicated at an open house and ceremony. The 20,285 square foot facility was named the Hayes Transit Center in honor of Mayor Harold M. Hayes of Montclair, who was instrumental in the development of plans and approval of funds for the facility.

• 1987
  Omnitrans’ drivers took 1st place in the National Safety Council’s 1986 Fleet Safety Competition. To honor coach operators, a “Driver Appreciation Day” was held. Grateful riders sent flowers, cards and gifts to the San Bernardino facility for their favorite drivers. With an increase of 38% over the previous year, pass sales revenue reached almost $200,000. Fixed route ridership for fiscal year was 3,612,468 and demand response ridership reached 622,000. July 6 marked first route expansion since 1985. 136,110 service miles were added for a total of 2.9 million miles including a new route: number 26.

• 1988
  New Route 61 began serving Ontario Airport as part of the largest service expansion ever – 12.5% increase in service hours. Fares were maintained at the same level since July 1986: 60 cents for adults and 30 cents for seniors and handicapped with ID. On leap year day, it was standing room only as riders leapt on Omnitrans free bus ride offer. In spite of rains throughout the day, the ridership hit a record high of 20,563 – an 85% increase compared to the last Monday of February.

• 1987
  The city of Highland joined Omnitrans JPA.

• 1989
  Ground was broken on a new Metro facility at Fifth St. and Medical center Dr. Keynote speaker at the ceremony was Chairman of the Board Elmer Digneo, mayor of Loma Linda. The $3.3 million construction project’s key component was a two-story 22,000 square foot building for housing administration, special transit and operations personnel. Omnitrans then operated out of 2 permanent and 2 temporary structures on the 9.4 acre parcel. Funding for the project came from the federal capital assistance grant through Urban Mass Transit Administration, with additional funding from the state of California Local Transit Fund. John Rippel took 1st place in the Roadeo competition and went on to compete in the nationals in Atlanta.

• 1990
  Passenger number 5 million boarded on June 21! Routes 70 and 71 in Ontario began. Route 70 included service to Sunkist processing plant and residential areas before heading into a densely industrial zone in southern Ontario. Route 70 also provided service to the Fedco shopping center in south Ontario. Route 71 served employers such as Ontario Hilton, restaurant row and corporations such as GTE, Chino Valley Transit Bank and Kaufman and Broad. Richard Reynoza took first place in Roadeo Competition and went on to the nationals in Houston.

• 1991
  First phase began on administration building, fuel island, dynamometer and bus wash, concrete driveways replacing existing asphalt and expanded coach parking. In preparation for construction, a warehouse building ws demolished and thousands of yards of earth were removed, them compacted to provide a firm foundation for the 25,000 square foot building. Six weeks after introducing Route 32 (Redlands to Highland), ridership increased 45 percent. On July 1 adult full fares went to 75 cents. Elderly and disabled fares stayed at 30 cents and transfers 10 cents. Pass prices changed to $30 a month and elderly/disabled to $13 a month. Fixed route ridership was over 6 million.

• 1992
  Fourth St. Transit Mall was introduced in January. New service to Chino and Chino Hills (which joined the JPA) began with the start up of Route 72. The long anticipated move into the new administration building began the week of June 12. “Hot Spots” promotion aimed at encouraging teens to increase ridership during the summer months began. Enclosed bicycle lockers were installed to provide a safe place for employees to store bikes.

• 1993
  Metro exercise room opened. Forty-four new forty-foot buses were delivered from the TMC manufacturer. Omnitrans made Montclair Metrolink connection. On July 1, provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted by U.S. Congress, took effect on Omnitrans regular fixed route and curb-to-curb van services. Dial-A-Lift van service ended, and Access, that complies with ADA, began. New ADA I.D. cards were issued to qualified persons. Durand L. Rall named interim general manager. Standing room only for the King! Elvis impersonator, Ron Stein, entertained routes during the “Don’t Be Cruel; Rideshare” promotion.

• 1994
  Three bus routes launched: Route 73 began service between Fontana and Montclair. Traveling along the Arrow Highway corridor, Route 74 ran between Fontana and Montclair along Foothill Blvd. Route 23 took over the southern portion of Route 20 and extended to serve Palm Court shopping area and Bloomington High School. Fifteen TMC buses began serving passengers. Durand L. Rall officially named general manager of Omnitrans. Information Office logged onto TransStar, a computer routing system offering customized itineraries, fare prices, and up-to-date routing assistance. It was developed by Commuter Transportation Services who also maintained a database of commuters for ridematching purposes. Sunday bus service began in October. Local fixed route buses carried a record 7,022,393 passengers, an increase of 12.23 percent over 1993.

• 1995
  A $1.3 million grant for funding alternative fuel projects was received. Passes by mail program began. Dial-A-Ride Gold eliminated; Dial-A-Cab went system wide. 48 compressed natural gas paratransit vehicles went into service. APTA Vice President Jack Gilstrap presented Omnitrans with prestigious Public Transportation System Outstanding Achievement Award at a special ceremony. The Holiday Shopper Hopper specialty route was launched with a reduced fare of 25 cents to help shoppers commute from the Inland Center to the Carousel Mall. Over 8.6 million riders boarded fixed-route buses, an increase of 23.2% over 1994.

• 1996
  Bike and Ride Program launched with bike racks on all local fixed-route buses. Omnitrans acquired its first CNG buses. West Valley Facility added a state-of-art CNG fueling station for refueling CNG buses. Transfers were eliminated and the $2 day pass, good all day on any fixed-route bus, was introduced. Monthly bus passes remained at $30 regular and $13 for seniors and disabled went to 35 cents. The student monthly bus pass with an extra quarter each fare was eliminated and fare went to $22.50.

• 1997
  A complete route restructuring began in January. Despite changes, Omnitrans set record ridership. February, March and April saw increases over the same period last year. For the tenth time in the last eleven years Omnitrans won tops in Transit Safety. Bike and Ride passengers racked their bicycles 105,535 times during the fiscal year. Dial-A-ride, serving Redlands and Mentone, was eliminated. For the second year, a Library co-promotion with Comcast, TCI, Bakers and The Sun was held for students. Billy Lauwers won his 11th roadeo competition. He went on to compete at the nationals in Chicago. Over one million passengers were carried system wide three different times during the fiscal year. Total passenters system-wide exceeded 11 million during the fiscal year. Omnitrans breaks ground on a new Maintenance and Operations Complex at its Metro facility.

• 1999
  Omnitrans launches its new website that provides up-to-date information for riders that have internet access. 31-Day Smart Pass replaced Monthly Pass. New fares implemented.