PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Continued Public Hearing on Proposed YOLOBUS
Route & Schedule Changes in Woodland
On Monday, February 11, 2008, at 7:00 PM, in the Woodland City Council Chambers, Woodland City
Hall, the Yolo County Transportation District will continue a public hearing on proposed changes in
YOLOBUS routes and schedules affecting Woodland.
There are currently two proposals being considered (see attached maps below).
Proposal A is a four route system with routes 210/211 & 212/214 operating hourly service in each
direction.
Routes 210/211 would begin at County Fair Mall and operate on Gibson, Cottonwood, W.
Lincoln, Road 98, W. Main, Ashley, W. Court, W. Woodland, W. Kentucky, Beamer, West,
Court, Third, Matmor, Cannery, Industrial, E. Main, Gibson, East, and the Community &
Senior Center.
Route 212/214 would begin at County Fair Mall and operate on E. Gum, Matmor, E. Gibson,
Woodland Community College, Ogden, Branigan, Farnham, Maxwell, Costco Center, Pioneer,
E. Main, Industrial, Cannery, Matmor, Beamer, Third, Court, West, Cross, College, Gibson,
East, and the Community & Senior Center.
Proposal B is a four route system with routes 210/211 & 212/214 operating hourly service in each
direction.
Routes 210/211 same as stated in proposal A.
Route 212/214 would begin at County Fair Mall and operate on Gibson, Coloma, Granada,
College, El Dorado, and West. The remainder of the route is the same as stated in proposal
A. Note: Routes 212/214 will not serve the Community & Senior Center due to time
constraints.
In addition to comments at the public hearing, YCTD welcomes comments in the following ways:
email to ereitz@yctd.org; regular mail to YCTD, 350 Industrial Way, Woodland, CA 95776; fax to
(530) 661-1732, or call Erik Reitz at (530) 661-0816, extension 13. Copies of proposed route will be
available at YCTD offices and online at www.yolobus.com.
Download an Adobe PDF document of the above press release and the maps:
[ click here at http://yolobus.com/Proposals1-29-08.pdf (126k) ]
DATE: September 7, 2007
WHAT: Yolobus Schedule, Route Adjustments Due to Tower Bridge Closure
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Starting Saturday, September 15th, and lasting until November 20th, the Tower Bridge will be closed for a pedestrian and bikeway improvement project. Because YOLOBUS normally uses that bridge over 100 times a day, most YOLOBUS routes from Davis to West Sacramento will be impacted. Depending on the route, delays of 4-6 minutes can be expected.
Davis express bus riders:
All Davis/Sacramento express buses will utilize the Pioneer Bridge and the 5th Street exit in the Sacramento-bound direction, and 3rd Street to P Street in the Davis-bound direction. The bus stop on Capitol Mall by the Embassy Suites will be discontinued during the bridge closure.
All Davis express buses could arrive in downtown Sacramento and in Davis 4-6 minutes later than normal.
West Sacramento bus riders:
Routes 40, 41 (serving northern parts of West Sacramento, via Kegle): They will stay on West Capitol Avenue and will NOT do the 5th/F/3rd Street loop (to go directly by Ziggurat); rather, they will turn right on 3rd, then work their way down River Road and over to the eastbound Pioneer Bridge on ramp. Conversely, they will do the opposite route on the return trip. The Ziggurat building is only 1 ½ blocks from the West Capitol/3rd Street bus stop. Some minor changes in departure times at the West Sacramento Transit Center have been made in order to minimize negative effects from the Tower Bridge closure.
The Ziggurat serving RT route 143 will access downtown Sacramento in the same manner as routes 40 and 41, with the exception, of course, that the route 143 bus will stop in front of the Ziggurat building.
Routes 42A, 42B (large loop routes serving Davis, Woodland, West Sacramento, Sacramento International Airport, and downtown Sac): These two routes will miss West Capitol Avenue from Merkley to 3rd Street. Eastbound Route 42B in West Sacramento will go straight from the Merkley Transit center to Jefferson Boulevard, to the eastbound Pioneer Bridge on-ramp. Westbound Route 42A will do the opposite of it. Arrivals in downtown Sacramento on Route 42B and in West Sacramento on Route 42B could be delayed by 4-6 minutes.
Route 240 (West Capitol, Harbor, IKEA, Walmart, Stillwater route): Like routes 42A and 42B, this route will use the freeway on and off ramps at Jefferson, meaning they will miss West Capitol Avenue from Merkley to 3rd Street during the bridge closure (riders in that area will need to board the 40 or 41). Some minor changes in departure times at the West Sacramento Transit Center have been made in order to minimize negative effects from the Tower Bridge closure.
Route 241 (peak hour West Capitol Avenue, Enterprise, Industrial Boulevard, downtown Sacramento): These commuter trips (two in the morning and two in the afternoon) will use the freeway on and off ramps at Jefferson Boulevard. Morning arrival times in West Sacramento and in downtown Sacramento will be delayed by 4-6 minutes.
Route 35 (Southport, Westacre, Transit Center): This schedule and route will not change.
For more information on the service changes during the Tower Bridge closure, riders can call YOLOBUS at 1-800-371-2877 or go to this YOLOBUS.com web site.
Download a MS Word document of the above press release:
[ click here at http://yolobus.com/pdf/tower-bridge-yolobus-changes-sep7-2007.doc (39k) ]
SUMMER 2007
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Yolo County Transit Operators to Offer Free Rides on “Spare the Air” Days
YOLOBUS and Unitrans, the two transit systems serving Yolo County, have announced they will continue their very successful program to help reduce summertime ozone. On days that are declared “Spare the Air Day” by air quality control officials, the public can ride YOLOBUS and Unitrans free. This incentive program is offered on
YOLOBUS and Unitrans only and runs June 1, 2007 through August 31, 2007.
The program, intended to get commuters and others traveling within, to or from Yolo County to try transit to reduce air pollution during the summer season when air quality is at its worst, is being paid for by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The grant to YOLOBUS of $62,290 will cover up to 24 free-ride days and is part of an effort by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), the Yolo County Transportation District, and the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District to help the region avoid violating clean-air standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Here is how it works. The air districts in the region declare a Spare the Air day when air quality index is expected to exceed 127, which typically occurs on hot, windless days according to air district officials. Based on historical data, there could be anywhere from eight to 20 such “Spare the Air” days declared during the summer.
Five-day forecasts for ozone are available through
www.sparetheair.com and “Spare the Air” days are determined a day in advance which helps people plan their commute. Residents can also receive personal notification through Air Alert, a free service available by signing up at
www.myairalert.net. On declared “Spare the Air” days anyone can ride YOLOBUS and Unitrans for free.
“We encourage drivers to leave their cars at home and try transit, especially on “Spare the Air” days. There’s no better time than when gas prices are high, air quality is impacted and it’s free,” said Mike McGowan, Chair of the Yolo County Transportation District. “Leaving your car at home can make a significant positive impact on the environment,” added McGowan. About 70% of the Sacramento region's air pollution is caused by emissions from internal combustion engines, so the fewer miles vehicles are driven, especially in the summer, the less polluted air people will need to contend with. It’s that simple. Last summer alone, Sacramento region drivers reduced 1.8 tons of ozone precursors per “Spare the Air” day by delaying trips, working at home, carpooling, using transit, biking and walking.
YOLOBUS serves Woodland, West Sacramento, Davis, U.C. Davis, Winters, Sacramento International Airport, downtown Sacramento, Madison, Esparto, Capay, Cache Creek Resort and Casino, Dunnigan, Yolo, and Knights Landing. The program applies to both YOLOBUS fixed route buses and YOLOBUS smaller buses that serve the disabled. The YOLOBUS fare each way is normally $1.50 on non-express buses and $2.00 each way on express buses. Unitrans, which serves the City of Davis and U.C. Davis, has been offering free fares on summer “Spare-the-Air” days since 2001. All large buses operated by YOLOBUS throughout the year and Unitrans during the summer run on clean burning compressed natural gas (CNG). Combined, YOLOBUS and Unitrans provide some 4,000 miles of service each weekday, meaning that there is plenty of service that the public will be able to ride for free on “Spare the Air” days.
Bus schedules are available by contacting YOLOBUS at 530-666-2877 or this web site (www.yolobus.com) or UNITRANS at 530-752-2877 or
www.Unitrans.com.
Download a MS Word document of the above press release:
[ click here at http://yolobus.com/pr/Spare-the-Air-days-Release.doc (33k) ]
Summer Sizzler Program for Summer 2007
The Yolo County Transportation District has announced that the popular Summer Sizzler program is again offering youths, age 17 and under, discounted Yolobus rides throughout the summer.
June 1st through August 31st, youth ages 5 – 17 can ride Yolobus to any of it’s destinations for just $0.35 per boarding. Yolobus travels to several popular destinations including UC Davis, downtown Sacramento, within walking distance of Old Sacramento and Raley Field, Vacaville Factory Outlets, local shopping malls and movie theaters, and much more.
Alternatively, a summer pass can be purchased for just $15.00. The passes are available for purchase starting May 25, 2007. Summer passes can be purchased at Parks & Recreation locations in Davis Parks & Community Services, Woodland City Hall, Winters City Hall and West Sacramento Parks & Community Services as well as at the office of Yolo County Transportation District (350 Industrial Way, Woodland) and the office of Unitrans in Davis.
For more information on this program, please call Yolo County Transportation District at (530) 661-0816.
YOLOBUS is a service of the Yolo County Transportation District and serves Woodland, Davis, West Sacramento, downtown Sacramento, Sacramento International Airport, Winters, Esparto, Madison, Knights Landing, Capay and Cache Creek.
The Summer Sizzler program is partially funded by a grant from the Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District.
Download a MS Word document of the above press release:
[ click here at http://yolobus.com/pr/2007SummerSizzlerProgram.doc (33k) ]
YOLOBUS to Serve New Woodland Community and Senior Center
Yolo County Transportation District, announces YOLOBUS will begin service to the new Woodland Community Center starting Monday, March 5, 2007. YOLOBUS will serve the new Community and Senior Center with routes 42A and 42B operating from 4:50AM till 11:53PM for a total of 38 trips a day.
The new Community Center will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, March 3rd and commence business starting Monday March 5, 2007.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
YOLOBUS Turns 25
Imagine 1,250 sellouts of Sacramento Kings games at Arco Arena. That’s over 30 regular seasons’ worth of home games! Or how about 1,458 sellouts at Raley Field—over 20 home game seasons. What about the total population for the States of New York or Florida and fast approaching the total population for the State of Texas? Over 21,660,000--that is how many rides YOLOBUS has provided since its inception on January 3, 1982. Put another way, if every rider was to hold hands, there would be enough rides to almost circle the entire Earth at the Equator.
Twenty-five years ago, on an extremely stormy January 3rd morning, YOLOBUS service began. Sacramento Regional Transit District used to be the contractor; however, jurisdictions in Yolo County believed they were paying far too much for service, and elected to try private sector contracting, using the County of Yolo as the lead agency.
In 1982, the County of Yolo contracted out most services to a firm which used 14 smoky diesel buses that averaged 16.4 years of age and were not wheelchair accessible. Most service was operated out of a gravel yard in East Yolo (now West Sacramento). Some rural services were operated directly by the County, using vans and “cutaway” vehicles. The following has been accomplished since then:
- Taxpayers in Yolo County have realized a savings in excess of $30 million through private sector contracting. (Veolia Transportation is the contractor through the year 2020). This savings allowed jurisdictions to increase transit services and repair more roads over the years.
- YOLOBUS fixed route and paratransit services carried some 21.66 million riders over the years.
- Operated enough bus miles to circle the globe over 1,000 times.
- Successfully acquired funding for and purchased over 70 buses in 25 years.
- Made YOLOBUS 100% wheelchair accessible.
- Negotiated first transfer agreement in region with Sacramento RT.
- Among first in state to pursue compressed natural gas (CNG) technology, dating back to 1989, in joint venture between public and private sector (i.e., Chevron Research, Accurex, Sierra Research). The current fleet of 39 YOLOBUS large buses is 100% CNG.
- Became first transit system in SACOG region to have bike racks on its buses.
- Took steps to assure that by Spring of 2007, YOLOBUS will be the only system in the SACOG region to offer real-time, web-based vehicle location information to the general public.
- Oversaw transition of YOLOBUS from Joint Powers Agreement run by County, to a separate Authority run by a board of electeds and senior staffers, to include a Congestion Management Agency role (helping to obtain funds for road and bike projects), to a special district approved by the State Legislature and Governor.
- Initiated hourly inter-city service (including becoming the only public bus operator to serve Sacramento International Airport) and obtained six years worth of outside funding to implement it.
- Initiated local and ADA service in Woodland. Initiated intercity service for Winters.
- Reconfigured Davis/Sacramento express bus service.
- Recently reconfigured West Sacramento local service and obtained funding to build a transit center in West Sacramento.
- Currently participating in a project that could establish streetcar service between West Sacramento and downtown Sacramento.
- Negotiated an agreement with the Associated Student Body of U.C. Davis allowing undergraduates to ride YOLOBUS at no charge.
- Obtained funding for, acquired, and improved YOLOBUS. operations/maintenance/administrative facility.
- Involved the District with the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, which now operates 32 passenger train trips a day between Sacramento and Oakland, several of which continue to San Jose.
- Obtained funding for and constructed compressed natural gas facility, including a facility open to the public.
- Initiated highly successful commuter service for employees working at Cache Creek Resort and Casino. That service alone provides upwards of 16,000 rides a month.
- YOLOBUS has won many awards and recognitions over the years from such sources as President Clinton, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, the American Lung Association, the California Transportation Foundation, the California Transit Association, the California Legislature, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other groups.
- Successfully involved over 125 elected officials in Yolo County and its cities over the years, plus four SACOG Executive Directors, five RT General Managers, three Caltrans District 3 Directors, plus numerous city managers, county administrators, public works and community development directors, who have worked in Yolo County over the years.
[ Yolo Bus Turns 25 in MS Word Format 91Kbytes ]
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
The City of Davis institutes a traffic safety campaign to change
driver, pedestrian and bicyclist behavior. This program starts on October 7, 2006. For details see
www.cityofdavis.org/StreetSmarts
Come to Davis for the public Kick Off of this campaign. at the Central Park in Davis on October 7, 2006 beginning at 11 am. For more details or information, visit the web site above or e-mail Janice Bisgaard or Phone (530) 757-5640 - Fax: (530) 758-4738
