Riverside Transit Agency

The RTA is actively working on the transportation problems of the disabled residents, but still has areas that need to be addressed. For example: a. Bus drivers sometimes fail to call out stops or activate the automated bus stop call-out system to assist the visually impaired. b. Appropriate informational aids, specifically to assist the visually impaired, are not provided at bus kiosks. c. Bus drivers do not always properly secure wheelchairs aboard the bus. d. Reservations for "next day" Dial-A-Ride service are not always available.

Bus stops in cities and throughout the county, many constructed before the ADA inception, are inaccessible to wheelchair-dependent patrons.

The RTA is not consistent in its ADA recertification program. Those persons with ADA certified severe mental retardation are exempt from recertification. There are some riders with irreversible physical disabilities who will always qualify for ADA certification.

RTA cannot always provide the required "next day service" for ADA certified patrons. RTA-operated inter-city Dial-A-Ride and early morning Dial-A-Ride services within the City of Riverside are often reserved more than 50 percent by subscription riders.

Internal purchasing and payment procedures are cumbersome and outmoded. Managers are required to hand carry purchase orders to obtain approval signatures, for authorizing orders as well as filling repetitive orders. Present invoice payment policy causes delays by the requirement to manually check and correct billing errors. These inefficient procedures have contributed to delays in payments to some vendors and have resulted in some suppliers requiring cash on delivery or denying further service.

The current grievance hearing procedure, contained in the RTA Human Resources Policy, needs to be addressed. The policy: a. does not prevent a manager who terminates an employee from being a member of the employee's grievance hearing. b. allows the Board of Directors to deny a terminated employee a grievance appeal hearing before the RTA board based on the premise that the person is no longer an employee of the RTA.

Salary scales for non-union employees have not been increased in more than five years. As a result, experienced, trained, qualified employees have resigned.

Lack of space is critical in the maintenance department at the Third Street terminal. Operations are efficient, the area kept orderly and clean under congested conditions. Funds have been available to relieve the situation for some time. It is anticipated that as much as three years will be required to complete a new facility.

The Orange Blossom Express is a unique transit service, funded by RTA, tailored for use in the City of Riverside. It has a very low ridership which yields a low financial return.