Service Changes This Sunday

RTA will undergo its latest service "shakeup" this Sunday, January 9th. As always, keep an eye out for the latest edition of the Ride Guide, or get your copy on the Internet. Here's what's coming up next week:

ROUTES AFFECTED: 1, 3, 12, 14, 15, 19, 22, 27, 35, 40, 42, 61, 74, 206, 208, 210, 212, 216.

Schedule Adjustments: Routes 1, 3, 15, 19, 22, 27, 35, 40, 74, 208, 210, 216
These routes will receive minor schedule adjustments in order to improve connections or increase on-time performance.

Morning Trip Cuts: Routes 12, 14, 206
These routes will each lose a single weekday morning trip due to low ridership. Always disheartening, but expected in this budget climate.

MSJC Park-And-Ride: Routes 212, 217
These CommuterLink routes will no longer serve the eastern Hemet terminii that they once did- Chicago/Florida and San Jacinto/Esplanade respectively. Instead they will provide service to the new Park-and-Ride lot at Mt. San Jacinto College. Transfers available at the college from routes 31, 32 and 74.

Route 42:
This route will be re-routed to serve San Jacinto, Menlo and Santa Fe streets instead of the Hewitt/Commonwealth loop. I honestly don't know enough about the area to suggest whether this is a good or bad thing- perhaps readers in Hemet might care to chime in?

Route 61:
This route will be re-routed off of I-215 to serve the areas along Menifee and Antelope Roads between Menifee and Murrieta. This will bring public transit service significantly closer to a lot of new subdivisions and retail development along the corridor, and provide many places with service where there was none before. My only concern is that this will significantly slow down the route, compared to its prior routing, but this is a local bus after all. It should also be noted that this route will now connect with the 208 in two locations, perhaps improving transit access for nearby residents.

So there you have it- little to write home about, but be aware that changes are happening this Sunday.