Category Archives: Travel Training Bus

Seniors learn bus riding basics

Posted on March 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

This morning Omnitrans outreach specialist Nicole Ramos and fleet training & safety instructor Stephen McClure visited TELACU Senior Apartments with our travel training bus to teach residents new rider basics.


Residents were able to climb on board to learn how to use the fare box, read the bus book and and alert the driver to their desired stop. They learned about the NexTrip real-time bus arrival prediction app and how they can phone the Omnitrans customer service center to help them plan their trip. At the end of the training, the seniors were given a free 7-Day Bus Pass so they could try the bus service for themselves.

Vtrans was also on hand to offer information on their one-on-one rider training to residents.


To find out how you can book the Omnitrans Travel Training Bus to teach new rider basics to your community group, please contact Nicole Ramos at nicole.ramos@omnitrans.org

You can view more photos of today’s travel training bus event on Flickr.

 

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Travel Training Eases New Rider Anxiety

Posted on January 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

“Omnitrans is important to me because it’s my only transportation. I rely on it for everything–doctor’s appointments, going to the store, basically anywhere I need to go,” said Barbara Cohen, a 65-year-old Rialto resident and regular bus passenger.

For the past 25 years, Barbara has been confined to a power-chair due to a disability. At first she relied on Access demand-response service for persons with disabilities, but eventually found it was too expensive to use regularly. Instead of paying $2.75 per trip for Access, she now buys a 10-pack of fixed route fares for Senior/Disabled riders at only $15.50 which lasts her the entire month.

Making the move from the Access Bus to a fixed route service felt overwhelming and a bit intimidating to Barbara at first. To help her make the transition, she decided to sign up for a travel training class with Vtrans, an agency that provides individual travel training services to seniors and those with disabilities . With the help of an instructor, she was able to practice how to safely board and disembark the bus, how to secure her chair, and how to use the farebox. She also learned how to plan a route, identify landmarks, make stops and transfers and how to communicate any special needs t0 her bus driver.

“It really helped me to feel more confident because I knew firsthand what to expect,” said Barbara. “I recommend travel training to all first time riders–especially powerchair users.”

- Juno Kughler Carlson

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Email Juno Kughler Carlson at  juno.carlson@omnitrans.org

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VTrans offers free travel training program

Posted on September 18, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Are you interested in riding the bus, but aren’t sure how? Let VTrans help you navigate public transportation.

VTrans offers a no–cost, one-on-one Travel Training program for seniors and persons with disabilities to assist them with learning how to use public transportation. Professionally skilled Travel Trainers will meet with you at home or another location to discuss where you want to go and your uncertainty with riding the bus.

Travel Training will show you how to plan out a route, get to the bus stop safely, pay the bus fare, identify landmarks, transfer to other buses, and proper bus etiquette. They will also accompany you on your route until you feel comfortable to take the trip on your own.

During training, the cost of bus fare is free to you and they will provide you with an incentive to continue riding the bus after training. Their trainers are familiar with various disabilities and will work with you to overcome barriers to riding public transportation. Group training is available to those interested in traveling with their friends.

Let VTrans show you how riding public transportation can work for you! Call them today to speak with a mobility specialist who can help you get to where you want to go. For more information please call  909-981-5099 or visit them on the web at www.vtrans.us.com.

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Enter our contest for a chance to win a free bike valued at $900!

Posted on August 9, 2012 by | 2 Comments

You could win a 2012 Charge Zester Fitness Bike!

On Wednesday, August 15th from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Omnitrans will hosting a community celebration to introduce its new brand identity. The event is at Omnitrans’ 4th Street Transfer Center San Bernardino, on the south side of 4th Street, between F & G Streets, in the Carousel Mall parking area. View details here.

The public is invited to view the latest additions to our fleet, the New Flyer Xcelsior buses, sporting updated vehicle graphics with our new colors and logo. A standout feature of the new buses is the much anticipated triple bike rack, which will allow the vehicles to transport three bikes instead of the normal two.

To celebrate, Performance Bicycle in Ontario is partnering with Omnitrans to sponsor a Rack ‘N Roll bike contest at the event, where participants will enter for a chance compete in a timed race to load a bike onto the rack.

Entry/practice time is between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.  Participants not selected to compete will be entered into a second chance drawing. You must be present at the time of the drawing in order to win.

Bike contest prizes include:

  • First Prize: 2012 Charge Zester Fitness Bike or equivalent exchange ($900 value)
  • Second Prize : $150 Performance Bicycle gift card
  • Third Prize : Two Omnitrans 31-Day Bus Passes ($94 value)
  • “Second Chance” Drawing Prize: $50 Performance Bicycle gift card
  • Entry Prize:  All entrants will receive an Omnitrans 1-Day Pass ($4 value)

About performance bicycles

Performance Bicycles is America’s leading multi-channel bicycle dealer, successfully serving cyclists’ needs for 30 years. With an unrivaled inventory of more than 10,000 products available through their catalog and website, and a continuing commitment to providing value, education, expert advice and professional service to the cycling community, they are the premier destination for people who love to ride bikes.

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Travel Training Bus educates new riders

Posted on August 7, 2012 by | 3 Comments

This month, Omnitrans launches its exclusive travel training bus which will be used for community outreach to help educate people in new rider basics. Features of the new bus include video screens, a PA system and new fare box.

This hands-on training tool will allow people to experience firsthand what they can expect when boarding a bus for the first time and help ease the anxiety that sometimes accompanies new riders. The training bus and outreach trainer are available by request to local community groups including seniors, students and those with special needs. For more information or to reserve a booking, you may email our outreach specialist, Nicole Ramos at nicole.ramos@omnitrans.org.

We also invite you to join us for our Rebrand Launch on August 15th for the official unveiling of the travel training bus,  along with our New Flyer Xcelsior buses.  There will be music, food, giveaways and a  bike contest with some amazing prizes! The festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Carousel Mall 4th Street parking lot between F & G Streets. Click here for details.

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