Last Updated on January 8, 2023 by CCAR Staff
The Omnitrans bus transportation company wants to increase speedy service to western San Bernardino County and is holding a series of public meetings this month to gather public feedback.
The West Valley Connector, similar to the sbX Green Line bus rapid transit system launched between San Bernardino and Loma Linda in 2014, would travel through Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Montclair and Pomona.
At a total of 25 miles, the line would connect major activity centers, including Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center, Victoria Gardens, Ontario Mills, Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario Convention Center, Ontario Airport and local Metrolink rail stations, according to Omnitrans.
Like the name implies, bus rapid transit, officials said, is faster and has fewer stops. The buses also will have traffic signal priority capability, allowing them to change stoplights to green for speedier travel.
“The main goal with bus rapid transit is to make travel times by bus faster because that’s something we hear from the public and the rider,” said Anna Jaiswal, development planning manager for Omnitrans. “BRT will help us get through traffic a little bit faster.”
Transportation officials say expanding bus rapid transit in the region will reduce traffic on the region’s freeways, improve air quality, increase bus ridership, foster transit-oriented development in the west end of San Bernardino County and provide better transit connections between the Omnitrans system, Metrolink, the Metro Gold Line and L.A./Ontario International Airport.
If all goes to plan, transportation officials hope to begin operation in 2020.
“The Inland Empire needs these kinds of projects and the reason they need these kinds of projects is connectivity and accessibility to opportunities,” said Hasan Ikhrata, executive director of Southern California Association of Governments. “It’s a key component of a good economy. So therefore, I think this project is very much needed, and more projects like this are needed because people need alternatives to the car.”
The West Valley Connector would offer weekday service every 10 to 15 minutes, with stations spaced at 1/2- to 1 mile apart. The stops would feature benches, real-time bus arrival signs, security cameras and emergency phones.
The system would include 5.4 miles of dedicated lanes, and 16 stations at major points of activity, such as colleges, hospitals, government centers, job centers and retail.
“This is an area that in the next decades is expected to have tremendous increased growth in both employment and residential, and that’s going to lead to congestion,” said Wendy Williams, Omnitrans spokeswoman. “So when we look at the justification for these types of enhanced transit lines, we’re looking at improved mobility, we’re looking at the environmental benefits and congestion relief.
“From an Omnitrans perspective, we’re looking to develop a high-quality transit line that can be time competitive with the automobile.”
The current rapid transit bus fleet is comprised of natural-gas-powered vehicles that can seat about 40, 80 with passengers standing.
Omnitrans is also proposing a new weekday-only, peak-hour freeway express bus route to serve Yucaipa, Redlands and San Bernardino via the 10 Freeway, beginning in January 2017.
In addition, the transit agency proposes increasing the service area and frequency on the Route 290 freeway express launched last year, which connects San Bernardino, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, Ontario Mills and the Montclair Transit Center via Interstates 215 and 10. If approved, Route 290 would provide additional early morning and midday trips beginning in September.
Public comments may be submitted by mail to Omnitrans, 1700 W. Fifth St., San Bernardino, CA 92411, by phone at 909-379-7250, or by email at tembi.tovar@omnitrans.org. The deadline for comments on freeway express proposals is April 29. The deadline for West Valley Connector comments is April 23.
Meeting schedule
West Valley Connector
April 16: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Terra Vista Farmers Market, 10808 E. Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga
April 19: 4 to 7 p.m. at Fontana Women’s Club, 16880 Seville Ave.
April 20: 4 to 7 p.m. at Montclair Senior Center, 5111 Benito St.
Freeway Express Service
April 18: 3 to 6 p.m. at Montclair Transit Center, 5091 Richton St.
April 19: 6 to 10 a.m. at San Bernardino Transit Center, 599 W. Rialto Ave.
April 19: 4 to 7 p.m. at Omnitrans Office, 1700 W. Fifth St., San Bernardino
April 20: 6 to 10 a.m. at Redlands Mall Transfer Center, 100 Redlands Mall
April 20: 3 to 6 p.m. at Yucaipa Transit Center, 34272 Yucaipa Blvd.
