Omnitrans Provides Shuttle Service for President Ford’s Funeral;
Friday Bus Service Impacted

SAN BERNARDINO, CA, December 28, 2006 – Omnitrans will send 16 buses to Palm Desert on Friday, December 29 to provide shuttle service for President Ford’s funeral services. Buses were requested by President Ford’s family. As a result, service on eight bus routes will be reduced from 15-minute or 20-minute frequencies to 30-minute frequencies on Friday only.

Impacted bus routes are Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, 22, 61, and 66.

“Omnitrans is honored to be called to serve as the nation remembers President Ford,” said Omnitrans CEO Durand L. Rall.  “We are confident that our customers will understand as we adjust some service frequencies to meet the shuttle service request. Fortunately, with schools and colleges on break and many people on holiday vacations, demand for service is lower than normal.”

Omnitrans is sending 16 2005 New Flyer 40-foot low-floor natural gas-powered buses plus 18 drivers, two operations supervisors, one maintenance supervisor and one mechanic to Palm Desert to operate shuttle service.  Each bus can hold up to 40 people seated and up to 60 with standees.

Sunline Transit Agency, based in the Coachella Valley, the Orange County Transportation Authority and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority also will provide vehicles.  Buses from the four agencies will transport the public from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden parking area to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church from 4:00 p.m. Friday to 7:00 a.m. Saturday.  

Omnitrans Saturday service schedules will not be affected. For detailed schedule information for impacted bus routes, call 1-800-9-OMNIBUS (1-800-966-6428).

Founded in 1976, Omnitrans is the public transit agency serving fifteen cities and the unincorporated areas of the Inland Valley of San Bernardino County in Southern California. Omnitrans currently operates 32 fixed bus routes in a
480-square-mile area. Omnitrans also provides OmniLink and Access
demand-response service, and is a partner in the Inland Empire Connection express bus service. The American Public Transportation Association has named Omnitrans the Outstanding Transit System of its size in both 1995
and 1999. Omnitrans also has received twelve safety awards from the
National Safety Council.