Propelled by a recovering economy, the Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) expanded service, boosted ridership and planned for future growth, according to a new audit that inspected virtually every area of operation over a three-year period.
The Transportation Development Act (TDA) Triennial Performance Audit, commissioned by the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), found the Agency in compliance with all areas of inspection, including administration; scheduling and dispatch; maintenance; marketing and public information; service planning; and general management and organization. The audit covered fiscal years 2013 through 2015.
During the three-year audit period, RTA’s ridership grew by nearly 10 percent, from 8.4 million to 9.2 million boardings. The audit also determined that RTA’s farebox recovery ratio (or the percentage of operating costs covered by passenger fares) hovered between 26 and 29 percent during the three-year period, easily exceeding the state’s required minimum farebox ratio.
During the audit period, RTA modernized bus stops at the Galleria at Tyler in Riverside, concluded a major study that identi fi ed service upgrades for the next decade, continued work on the RapidLink express service project in Corona and Riverside, and improved routes to serve new and expanded Metrolink service in Riverside County. The Agency also received a regional clean air award for its use of compressed natural gas vehicles and its partnerships with area colleges.
RTA Chairman of the Board Frank Johnston said the audit re fl ects RTA’s commitment to using taxpayer dollars wisely.
“Passing this audit with flying colors reflects RTA’s conservative business approach and our commitment to operate a world-class transit system - from the top management to the bus drivers and mechanics - that adapts and thrives over the long run,” Johnston said.
The audit is required every three years for agencies such as RTA that apply for and receive state funding. Specifically, those state funds are tied to TDA revenues: Local Transportation Fund (LTF) and State Transit Assistance (STA). Over the course of several months, auditors interviewed RTA management, collected and reviewed documents and inspected the Agency’s facilities. No deficiencies were found in any of the reviewed areas.
