Omnitrans has proposed the rehabilitation of its I Street Operations and Maintenance Facility as a recipient of Fiscal Year 2022 Congressional Community Project Funding. The project was proposed with the support of the city of San Bernardino and its partners at the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.
“We appreciate the opportunity provided by Reps. [Pete] Aguilar [(D-31)] and [Norma] Torres [(D-35)] to propose this necessary project for consideration,” said Omnitrans CEO/General Manager Erin Rogers. “Rehabilitation of the I Street facility would support our local economy and improve equity, mobility and service flexibility for our system and its customers.”
The facility currently houses Omnitrans’ paratransit operations for OmniAccess, as well as community connector routes. Facility upgrades would allow OmniAccess eligibility screening for community members in Omnitrans’ service area, a majority of whom are people of color or economically disadvantaged. The project would also increase capacity at the facility for smaller minibus vehicles the agency utilizes for community-based, on-demand services, such as OmniRide microtransit.
Omnitrans’ $2 million request for just under half of the cost of this rehabilitation project will be assessed by both Representatives; 10 Inland Empire proposals will move forward to the next phase of approval later this year.