BusTalk Forum Index BusTalk
A Community Discussing Buses and Bus Operations Worldwide!
 
 BusTalk MainBusTalk Main FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups BusTalk GalleriesBusTalk Galleries   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

[CA] Buses with new comforts unveiled

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    BusTalk Forum Index -> Surface Transit - Western United States
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Cyberider




Joined: 27 Apr 2007
Posts: 501
Location: Tempe, AZ

PostPosted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 1:16 pm    Post subject: [CA] Buses with new comforts unveiled Reply with quote

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070724-9999-1m24buses.html

Buses with new comforts unveiled

By Steve Schmidt
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

July 24, 2007


JIM BAIRD / Union-Tribune
Metropolitan Transit System shows off new buses boasting more comforts for riders, like individual air conditioning controls, reading lights and reclining seats. Five commuter express routes will use the new buses.

SAN DIEGO – Seats you can kick back in. Reading lights that only you control. Overhead luggage racks to stash your bag or laptop.

Regional transit officials unveiled a new batch of tricked-out buses yesterday aimed at workaday commuters hungry for something different in mass transit – a sweet ride.

The diesel buses – emblazoned with the red-and-white Metropolitan Transit System logo – include comforts usually found on long-distance coach buses, including reclining chairs and directional air-conditioning.

“It's a nice ride, and I think the riding public is really going to like it,” said Harry Mathis, chairman of the transit agency's board of directors.

By the end of this month, the 53-seat, 45-foot-long buses will run on five of the agency's commuter express routes, including four routes on Interstate 15.

The long-distance routes have fewer stops than regular routes and are geared toward freeway commuters eager to leave their workaday driving to someone else.

Transit officials believe the upscale buses and commuter express passengers make a good fit: The routes run longer, so riders are looking for more comforts.

A one-way ride costs $4. A monthly express route pass runs $84.

“This is a premium service and we charge a premium fare,” said Paul Jablonski, the agency's chief executive officer. “We want them to have a premium ride.”

Veolia Transportation, a privately run bus and rail company, operates the express buses. The 26 vehicles cost $365,000 each.

Under a contract reached with MTS last year, Veolia agreed to buy the buses and then lease them to the agency. Jablonski estimates that the deal will save MTS $500,000 a year.

Affected are express routes 810, 820, 850 and 860. All connect parts of inland North County, including Escondido, Poway and Sabre Springs, with downtown.

Route 870 – linking El Cajon and Santee with Kearny Mesa – is also getting the new buses.

Coach-style buses have been used on some of the routes before but were not clearly marked as MTS vehicles.

On a typical weekday, the five routes carry about 1,100 passengers. Transit officials expect that figure to grow after the completion next year of additional car pool and bus lanes on Interstate 15.

Steve Schmidt: (619) 293-1380; steve.schmidt@uniontrib.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    BusTalk Forum Index -> Surface Transit - Western United States All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You can attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group