Omnitrans Launches New Freeway Express Route

A new express bus route traveling on the I-10 freeway is among the many service improvements Omnitrans rolled out on Tuesday, Sept. 8. More than half of Omnitrans bus routes will be realigned in an effort to simplify the route network and reduce travel times. “Our most frequent customer request in recent years was for express service on the 10 freeway,” said Service Planning Manager Jeremiah Bryant. “Route 290 cuts travel time in half compared to local bus routes.” The new express route provides weekday, peak-hour service between Montclair and San Bernardino with stops at Ontario Mills and Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. Omnitrans is free rides on Route 290 during the first week, Sept. 8 through 11. “We are also introducing free Wi-Fi on our two freeway express routes as a customer benefit,” said Director of Marketing and Planning Wendy Williams. Along with the new Route 290 serving the 10 freeway, Omnitrans operates Route 215 on the 215/91 corridor connecting San Bernardino and Riverside. Wi-Fi service is already available on the agency’s sbX bus rapid transit line. West of the I-15 freeway, Omnitrans is realigning nine north-south bus routes to improve directness of travel and minimize the number of transfers customers must make to complete their journey. For example, new Route 81 will run the length of Haven Avenue between Riverside Drive in Ontario to Chaffey College in north Rancho Cucamonga. Previously three separate routes served the corridor. Four routes instead of three will serve the Chaffey College main campus in Rancho Cucamonga. Chaffey College students generate over a half million trips annually. As part of the “GoSmart” program, registration fees allow students to ride Omnitrans free with their college ID cards. To streamline access to the new San Bernardino Transit Center (SBTC) located on Rialto Avenue between E and F Streets, 11 east valley bus routes were also adjusted on Sept. 8. The center is adjacent to the sbX rapid transit line on E Street. “Prior to the SBTC opening, customers had to walk about four blocks from our primary downtown transfer location to the nearest sbX station,” explained Williams. Due to this improved connectivity, weekday frequency on local Route 2, which shadows the sbX line, will be scaled back from every 30 minutes to hourly. Neighboring transit agencies, Mountain Transit and Victor Valley Transit Authority, also will serve the transit center. In 2017, when construction of a rail extension is complete, the SBTC will provide a direct connection to Metrolink commuter trains. Fulfilling another popular customer request, Omnitrans will provide direct service to San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino by extending Route 1 east to Victoria Avenue in Highland. At the same time, frequency on Route 1 north of downtown San Bernardino will increase to every 15 minutes, instead of every 30 minutes. In light of the significant service changes that recently took effect, Omnitrans ambassadors will be available during peak morning and evening hours to assist customers at several major transfer locations: Chaffey College Transit Center, Chino Transit Center, Montclair TransCenter, Ontario Mills and the San Bernardino Transit Center.