We asked Omnitrans passengers “Where would you go and who would you take with you on a 100 million mile trip?”
From from rock stars to aliens, from cross-country trips to jetting across galaxies, their answers were so funny and surprising that we thought we’d share a few with you. Enjoy!
To accommodate 14 new 60-foot articulated sbX vehicles, Omnitrans is modifying their vehicle maintenance facility located at Fifth Street and Medical Center Drive in San Bernardino. The construction project includes a new bus wash and fuel island, modification of maintenance bays and new lights and restriping of the bus parking area.
Modifications to Omnitrans’ East Valley Vehicle Maintenance Facility
Omnitrans will also take this opportunity to make other improvements including removal of underground diesel fuel storage tanks no longer used and installation of trash compactors that will reduce the frequency of trash collection. Construction begins this month and will be completed by December 2013. All work is contained on Omnitrans property. No street closures are planned. USS Cal Builders, Inc. of Stanton, CA is the contractor.
A community open house related to the project is set for Tuesday, December 18, 2012 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Omnitrans headquarters, 1700 West Fifth Street, San Bernardino, CA 92411.
More Information Link: http://www.estreet-sbx.com/about/ev-maint.html
-Wendy Williams
Wendy.Williams@Omnitrans.org
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This morning, local residents, organizations and dignitaries joined Omnitrans and the City of Ontario to celebrate the grand opening of the Ontario Civic Center Transfer Station. Attendees included representatives from V-Trans, the Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board, SANBAG and the Ontario Fire Department.
“The City of Ontario has been Omnitrans’ partner since the agency’s beginning, and it’s exciting to see our 36-year-old friendship continuing to flourish through innovations like this project,” said Omnitrans CEO, Milo Victoria. “And this is just the beginning. We’re also pleased to be collaborating with the City in creating a model civic center which will feature a multimodal transportation hub. The hub will foster regional train and bus connections , and includes a proposed Omnitrans sbX rapid bus transit line along Holt Boulevard and Euclid Avenue. Great things are ahead!”
The Transfer Station provides vital transportation to more than 500 customers daily. Five Omnitrans bus routes help residents connect with their community, serving great landmarks such as Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario Mills Mall, the Ontario Convention Center and Ontario International Airport. All seven station stops have been newly refurbished with shelters, lights, new benches, making trips more convenient and enjoyable for passengers.
“The City Council and I pride ourselves in providing the highest level of service to our community,” stated Mayor Paul S. Leon. “We see this investment in infrastructure as vital to the continued growth of our City, while providing the citizens of Ontario with much needed transportation options.”
Ontario resident, Marty Binney, is a long-time community advocate who believes that a strong transportation system serves a critical need in Ontario. “In this day and age, transportation like Omnitrans is a necessity. We use it, and we need it. It helps provide a better quality of life to people who either can’t drive or can’t afford to. It is especially important to our students, seniors and disabled residents. I’m grateful for this collaboration between Omnitrans and the City to continue to meet our transportation needs.”
After the brief ceremony, attendees were invited to climb aboard the newly rebranded Omnitrans Xcelsior model bus for a tour of the station stops. Spirits were high as the informal group laughed and chatted, admiring the station design and enjoying the look and feel of the new bus. For some, it was their first bus experience. For others it was a step into the next generation of public transit.
As one passenger was overheard saying, “This is the best bus ride I’ve ever been on!”
For more photos from this event visit us on Flickr at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/omnitrans/sets/72157632173286274/
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Being a one-car family when you have to juggle appointments, schools and job can be challenging, but ridesharing can definitely make things a bit easier. Silas Molina, an Eligibility Worker for the County of San Bernardino, lives in Mentone with his wife Anne and their four children. For the past 2 1/2 years he’s been carpooling to the office in the morning with a co-worker, and his family has been picking him up in the afternoon.
When his co-worker went out on vacation a couple of weeks ago, Silas was forced to look for an alternative means of transportation. “It was impossible for my wife to drop me off in the mornings because she had to get the kids to school. My only other option was to take the bus. So I started riding Omnitrans.”
The experience was nothing like what he had expected. “I was intimidated at first,” he admitted. “I expected tons of people and long travel times. But it worked out really well. It takes me exactly one hour to get to work every day, and the bus has always been on time. The trip is pleasant, and I can read, listen to music or even work on my computer.”
In fact, his experience has been so good that Silas has made the decision to continue to use Omnitrans for the ride home once his co-worker returns.
“My wife and I calculated the expense and realized that it cost us $6 a day just for her to pick me up from work,” Silas explained. “And it’s also more convenient for her to be able to stay home with the kids in the afternoon. The bus has been a positive experience for me, and the one-hour ride isn’t bad. I’ll generally listen to NPR or take a short nap. It’s a good way to decompress from work before going home to be with my family. And you can’t beat the savings!”
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Email Juno Kughler Carlson at juno.carlson@omnitrans.org
Omnitrans customer Jennie Aceves loves to travel, from daily trips around the city to exploring the world. Her favorite experience was a trip to Guatemala where she worked for a time as a missionary.
“I loved being able to hike through the jungle and swim in the lake with the fish,” said Jenny. “It was beautiful, and I liked the feeling of making a difference. I was in charge of the youth group and some of the elderly there and it was my job to make sure they were all served hot meals each day. Being in that environment makes you appreciate what you have, and I feel very blessed with the life I’ve been given.”
When her car broke down two years ago, Jennie decided it was just too expensive to buy and maintain another vehicle. She was comfortable with public transit and had been riding Omnitrans off and on since she was in high school simply because it was so convenient. Making the switch to being a full-time rider seemed the obvious choice. She would still be able to easily get to all her normal destinations and for much less than it used to cost her in gas!
“My favorite thing about Omnitrans is how easy it is to transfer. I almost never have to wait long between buses because of the way the schedules are set up. I can usually get to wherever destination I need within a half hour to an hour total travel time. It’s convenient for me.”
This week Jennie was one of the first passengers to ride one of the twenty new Xcelsior model buses that Omnitrans has added to its fleet. She was impressed. “The new bus was really nice,” said Jennie. “It felt very spacious and comfortable. And I like that Omnitrans is keeping up with the times to provide good, efficient transportation that is also healthy for the environment.”
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Email juno.carlson@omnitrans.org
This afternoon the first of the Omnitrans New Flyer Xcelsior buses hit the streets on its maiden voyage. Passengers on Route 14 were excited and happy to be the first ones to have the opportunity to ride. ”We’re making history!” someone shouted from the back of the bus, and everyone laughed.
People loved the new fleet graphics and gave the bus high marks for coolness, comfort and roominess. They can’t wait to ride again!
Coach Operator Elaine Sanchez was at the helm of the New Flyer Xcelsior for the historic trip. Elaine was recently honored with the Omnitrans Employee of the Quarter award for her outstanding customer service.
Omnitrans CEO Milo climbed aboard on his way to a meeting, always happy to get a chance to meet some of our passengers.
This mom and her new baby were among the first passengers to board.
Renee Compton was the first wheelchair passenger on the New Flyer Xcelsior
Mr. Jones was the first bike passenger to join us on the trip. He just recently starting biking and taking Omnitrans to save the expense of gas money.
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Email juno.carlson@omnitrans.org
Omnitrans passengers love coach operator JoJo for her no-nonsense attitude and sense of humor. “I keep it real,” she laughs. “I try every day to provide the best service I can.”
Recently JoJo was driving a route out in Muscoy, when she noticed a woman standing about 100 yards from the bus stop, appearing lost. “She was dressed to the nines and in the absolute middle of nowhere. From the way she was looking around, I had a pretty strong feeling she was trying to catch the bus.”
When Jojo pulled the bus over, she saw that the woman wasn’t alone but had two small girls with her, dressed in ball gowns. The three quickly boarded the bus, thanking the driver profusely for picking them up. The mother explained that they were on their way to a quincenera but that they hadn’t been sure where to catch the bus to get there. If JoJo hadn’t stopped for them, they would never have made it in time.
Finally the family arrived at their destination. As the little girls climbed down from the bus, they handed JoJo a thank you note they had written for her during the trip.
“You know,” said JoJo. “Sometimes people ask me why I like being a bus driver. This is why. It’s really not about the money or the pats on the back when you do a good job. It’s about people who need you and the feeling you get when you know you’ve made a difference in their lives. It’s about moments like this. This–this is the best.”
Posted in Employee Profile, Uncategorized
Tagged omnitrans, omnitrans bus driver, omnitrans news
