Mendez Spearheads Rio Hondo Intermodal Transit Center & Park

Yes, from the creator of "GoRio" bus program comes "Rio Plaza" an Intermodal Transit Center and Park that encourages and provides services for bus, bike, walking and rideshare for students, staff, faculty and members of the public to get to and from Rio Hondo College.

Rio Plaza is the larger part of the vision that Trustee Mendez has for providing and encouraging alternative modes of transportation to Rio that reduces traffic congestion, demand for on-campus parking, carbon emissions, and encourages a healthy lifestyle.  

Rio Hondo College's student newspaper "El Paisano" covered the first story on this public benefit project.

The article in full:

Trustee Mendez spearheads campus Intermodal Transportation Center

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Caroline Carroll, Staff Writer
March 23, 2015 
Filed under News

Board of Trustees Member Gary Mendez presented the Rio Hondo Intermodal Transportation Center and Park at the Feb. 10 ICC meeting.

Trustee Mendez introduced the concept of the Intermodal Transportation Center as a welcome center, describing it as “the transition from the public to the college; this multi-use facility would serve as a hub for alternative modes of transportation including bus, bicycle, walking pedestrians and rideshare.”

Student Javier Cano who attended the ICC meeting said, “The Rio Hondo College Intermodal Transportation Center is a great idea, it would make our school look more welcoming and it would be safer for students to get up the hill”.

Trustee Mendez often rides the bus to campus meetings and is concerned with the traffic congestion that is caused when bus drivers unload students on Workman Mill Road.

Trustee Mendez is not the only member of the Board of Trustees concerned with student’s safety. Student Trustee “JJ” Magallón supports this project for many reasons,

“The welcome center would be the new face of the college; it will feature an information center. Those with any questions about the school could get an answer without having to go up the hill. I liked that the sidewalks are going to wrap around the campus, and would link all around the college so students would not have to walk on the streets anymore. The bike paths were also a good idea, it would promote students to ride their bicycles to campus rather than drive their cars and they would feel good knowing their bike was secure.”

The new bus cut-in lanes would allow bus drivers to pull aside to pick up and drop off pedestrians without jeopardizing the safety of other traffic. The bike cut-in lanes would also make it ADA compliant.

Currently the bottom of the hill may seem unwelcoming and is susceptible to severe traffic jams. The new bus stop would feature new applications with GPS for live location of busses. Another goal is to increase the visibility of the busses from all bus stops.

One of the upgrades would be a Bicycle hub. Rio Hondo College would be linked to the Whittier Green trails. Designated bike paths from Beverly, South El Monte, Pico Rivera, City of Industry/Hacienda Heights, and the San Gabriel River Bike paths will connect to the campus.

The total estimated cost for this construction project is $3.5 Million. However, Chairman of the Board Supervisor, Fourth District Don Knabe generously donated $1.5 Million for sidewalks along Workman Mill Road.

The welcome center would offer a serene, resting area, a new information center, equipped with restrooms, retail venues and a hydration station all powered by self-sustaining energy.

The plans include a new shuttle drop-off and visitor parking, the idea being for students to transition from their transportation to the campus in an easy, stress-free manner.

The anticipated date of completion for this project is Fall 2016. The project is still in its planning phases, the blue prints need to be approved through the Division of the State Architect and usually take 4-6 months.

- See more at: http://elpaisanoonline.com/news/2015/03/23/trustee-mendez-spearheads-campus-intermodal-transportation-center/#.dpuf

http://elpaisanoonline.com/news/2015/03/23/trustee-mendez-spearheads-campus-intermodal-transportation-center/

RIO GATEWAY PLAZA: FAQ

Rio Plaza FAQ

What is Rio Plaza?

Rio Plaza is an intermodal transportation center, plaza and park for bus, bicycle, pedestrians, and rideshare at Rio Hondo College. The project is designed to serve students, staff, faculty, and the community.

How much will it cost and where are the monies coming from?

$3.5 million has been allocated for the project by the board of trustees from Measure A bond funds.

Where did this project come from?

Rio Plaza has been on the second level project list in our facilities master plan since 2002. The project is a product of the 2002 pre-bond campus-wide facilities planning process. The initial concept has been retooled and renamed to reflect current and future needs of the college. The original project was named the “Welcome Center” which was planned to primarily serve personal automobiles. The initial location was in the upper tier levels of parking and would have removed a significant amount of parking stalls.

Where will it be located?

Rio Plaza will be located at the bottom of the hill on the north bound bus stop adjacent to the first parking tier.

Why is this needed?

Rio Plaza aims to:
• Increase access to Rio Hondo College
• American Disabilities Act compliance
• Encourages alternative means of transportation
• Reduce the demand for on-campus parking
• Provide a seamless transition from external transportation to the main campus
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Encourage fitness and healthy life styles
• Increase safety
• Incentivize alternative transportation.

What are the major components of the project?

1. Bus: Provide “curb-cut in” at bus stop to eliminate backed-up traffic on street and increase rider safety. Provide ample shelter and seating protecting riders from the elements.

2. Bike: Provide a safe and secure special access bike station of lockers for Rio bicyclist. Work with adjacent cities and the county to Connect bike paths from all directions to college.

3. Pedestrian: Work with adjacent cities and county to create/extend sidewalks in front of Rio Hondo College to all points of arrival for pedestrians thereby increasing safety and access.

4. Ride Share (Drop off/Pick Up): Provide a safe and convenient Rideshare Drop off and Pick up Zone at parking tier level 1 with connection to Rio Shuttle

5. Rio Shuttle Stop: Create a shuttle stop on parking tier level 1 adjacent to Rio Plaza for a seamless, accessible (ADA), and safe transition for bus, bike, pedestrian, and rideshare users with ample seating and shade.

6. Security/Safety: Provide 24/7 video surveillance, security patrol, and an emergency Blue light cell tower.

7. Plaza & Flag Poles: Small civic space with flag poles. (US Flag; State, and RHC flag)

8. Landscaping: Create a welcoming, tranquil and aesthetically pleasant environment of native trees, drought tolerant plants, gardens and Special Fundraising/Sponsor projects: Name Bricks, gardens, outdoor furniture

9. Amenities: Provide essential amenities for Plaza users necessary for the transition to and from the college, including Restrooms (changing room space), Hydration station (filtered water), Information Kiosk/Booth, Regional Map display cases, Outdoor Furniture (cement table/bench-chess, chaise, etc), Wifi, and outdoor Recreational opportunities (i.e., cement ping pong table).

What is the timeline for construction?

Basically, the college plans to submit final plans to the Department of State Architect (DSA) for approval by March 2015. It can take DSA up to or more than three to six months (July-October 2015) at which time Rio may begin the bidding process for contractors. Rio Hondo may be prepared for construction by Spring-Summer 2016 (approximately).

How may the campus groups or community participate in the planning?
After initial conceptual design, the college plans on:

1. (January-February 2015) Forming a Rio Plaza Advisory Committee composed of campus constituent groups to provide feedback.

2. (February 2015) Conducting a campus-wide and community town-hall introducing the project

Why name it Rio Plaza?

The name “Rio Plaza” is just an initial concept name. It has also been referred as “Rio Gateway Plaza”. An inclusive naming process will be conducted encouraging feedback from all campus constituent groups.

Is this strictly a Rio Hondo College project?

No, the college has enthusiastic and supportive partners who will be contributing resources to the project. Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is one of our most supportive partners. Other partners include, Los Angeles County Public Works, Foothill Transit, Norwalk Transit, MTA, adjacent cities, and others.

RIO GATEWAY PLAZA: an Intermodal Transportation Center & Park at Rio Hondo College.

The time has come. The time to change the culture of the means by which we get to Rio Hondo College through bus, bike, walking, rideshare and equine (yes, horse).

I would like to introduce you to"Rio Gateway Plaza" an Intermodal Transportation Center and Park at Rio Hondo College. Located at the bottom of the hill, Rio Gateway Plaza becomes the welcome and transition to and from Rio Hondo from vaious points by alternative modes transportation.

We are going to change the culture of how we get to Rio Hondo College through “Alternative Modes of Transportation”.

The targeted alternative modes of transportation here are:

• Bus
• Bike
• Walking (Pedestrian)
• Rideshare/Carpool
• Equine (Yes, Horse)

Outside of a personal automobile, getting to Rio Hondo College hasn’t been easy or convenient. Rio Hondo’s geographic (dis) location makes it a challenge for students, staff and faculty to even consider alternative means of transportation that is convenient.

In these days of heighten environmental conscious, we want to encourage alternative modes of transportation but the fact is that if it’s not convenient it probably not going to happen.

As a former Rio Hondo student, I walked, rode the bus, bummed rides or rode my bike to Rio (before it was stolen). Back then, busses stopped running after 8:30-9:00pm so if you were enrolled in evening courses, which ended at 9:50 pm, you were screwed.

Walking is an adventure, especially at night, when you have to walk in the street most of the way (no sidewalks), with partial to no light, and through a cemetery. It’s just not safe.

Biking remains an unsafe journey as most, if not all, bike lanes, paths and routes from all directions stop about .5 miles short of the college rendering it a risk.

So, as you can see, getting to Rio Hondo College other than in a car is a bit discouraging. Those who walk, bike or ride the bus, especially students, brunt the challenge daily with little complaint. It’s no wonder they don’t go to Cerritos or Pasadena.

So, fast forward over decade, GoRio was finally adopted and implemented to encourage student bus ridership to Rio Hondo thereby increasing access and convenience. It took over ten years of advocacy, many board members and superintendents to realize (believe) the vision. The inspiration to develop and implement GoRio came from my experience as a student at Rio and at Sac State where the student government subsidized (all access) public transportation.

GoRio has always been an aspect of a larger vision whereby alternative modes of transportation are encouraged, supported, and instilled into the campus culture.

Brief outlines of the Components of Rio Gateway Plaza are:

1. Bus - GoRio
a. Curb Cut in Bus Stop for 2-3 buses (relieving back up traffic)
b. Shelter
c. Seating

2. Bike - BikeRio
a. Bike Station: Lockers/Cage
b. Special Access
c. Changing Room in restrooms (small bench)
d. Connecting/Creating bike paths from all directions to college
e. BikeRio Program

3. Walk/Pedestrian - WalkRio
a. Create/extend sidewalks to and from (in front of) Rio Hondo College
b. Increase walking pedestrian safety from all directions

4. Ride Share - RideshareRio
a. Safe and convenient Rideshare Drop off and Pick up Zone with connection to Rio Shuttle

5. Rio Shuttle Stop - RioConnect
a. Bottom Tier Stop
b. ADA Access from/to Bus stop
c. Seating
d. Shelter
e. Queuing (painted lines or rail)

6. Security/Safety
a. 24/7 Video surveillance
b. Periodic patrol
c. Blue light tower

7. Flag Poles
a. US Flag; State, RHC
b. Project Plaque

8. Landscaping
a. Native and drought tolerant plants
b. Trees
c. Gardens
d. Special Fundraising/Sponsor projects: Name Bricks, gardens, outdoor furniture

9. Amenities
a. Restrooms (changing room space)
b. Hydration station (filtered water)
c. Information Kiosk/Booth
d. Regional Map display cases
e. Outdoor Furniture (cement table/bench-chess, chaise, etc)
f. Recreation items (cement ping pong table)
g. Vending Machines
h. Wifi

Benefits of Rio Gateway Plaza:

• Increase economical means of access to Rio Hondo College
• American Disabilities Act compliance
• Encourages alternative means of transportation
• Reduce the demand for on-campus parking
• Provide a seamless transition from external transportation to the main campus
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Encourage fitness and healthy life styles
• Increase safety

What happens from here? The official roll-out begins to the campus community and the at-large district community through small informational presentations. The first of these roll oust will be to the Associated Students of Rio Hondo College, the Inter-Club Council and any other campus constituents who may allow a presentation.

Soon thereafter or in the interim, the Rio Plaza Advisory Committee will be formed and composed of the various campus constituent groups to provide initial feedback and suggestions.

Thereafter, a campus wide town hall will be conducted to formaly introduce the project to the greater whole.

Feedback and comments will be collected and incorporated from the Advisory Committee and the town hall which the college architects will submit plans to the Department of State Architect for approval.

Soon after state approval the project manager begins planning construction.

During this time, programming begins on the components with user groups and project staff (i.e. BikeRio, WalkRio, RideshareRio etc..).

GO RIO! Re-Authorizing & Reevaluating the Student Bus Program

[DRAFT]

GO RIO has been a successful student public transportation program at Rio Hondo College that has provided thousands of students the access to Rio Hondo on various partner bus agencies. The program has reduced auto emissions, eased the demand for on-campus parking and congestion, and has encouraged a generation of students to utilize public transportation as means of daily movement.

Since its inception, it has been funded using Bond funds, federal grants and now funded through a student self imposed fee authorized by the student body via ballot initiative. It has become, in most part, a student owned program.

However, the program was not initially proposed to be limited to full-time students only. This is something the Administration imposed and later written into the student initiative.

Re-Authorization of GO RIO
This Spring 2012 will be the sunset of the student initiative which needs to be reauthorized by May 2012. Before the initiative is put to a vote, I have some recommendations.

Revising GO RIO
The earlier version was not as progressive as I would have liked or planned. Nonetheless, we can now better improve the program.

1) Unit Requirements: It may have been unfair to tax the overall student body and only allow access to the program for full-time students. The majority of fee payers being not full-time 12 unit students. The full-time requirement was imposed by the college to encourage borderline student to take additional units to become full-time. This has caused an unintended negative consequence where some students he personally informed me that they have signed up for courses on;y to meet the requirement for GO RIO, taken unnecessary classroom seats, and even delay their degree completion or transfer.

Unit Requirement Options:
a. Drop the minimum unit requirement to 9. The initial fee would be reflective of an estimate increase in Go Rio students and cost. After each semester the fee would be adjusted based on previous semester ridership with a not to exceed fee amount.

b. Maintain 12 units requirement but allow 9-11 unit students to buy-in to Go Rio with supplemental fee.

Both these options would have a per semester cap on how many Go Rio cards are issued but may increase the following semester with ridership data received from bus agencies.

3) Negative Check Off. The process of collecting the fee should utilize “negative check off” whereby student are assessed the fee automatically and must opt out through an easily accessible petition form to be sign by a college official. (i.e., after reading a FAQ on its benefit)

4) No Exemption Fee Waiver for Go Rio Users. A student receiving a BOGG fee waiver or financial aid status should pay into Go Rio. The Go Rio Card value far exceeds the student assessed fee. College Programs may opt to cover the minimal fee for students unable to pay or the District may opt to cover the cost of these students.

5) External Funding Sources. The college must make Go Rio a grant and legislative priority and actively pursue a consistent external sources of funding from various resources like city transportation funds, federal and state funds, and regional transportation funds.

6) Internal Funding Sources. Explore various potential funding sources on campus like recycling, designated Go Rio vending machines, special paid parking locations, and fund-raisers to supplement the Go Rio program, but NOT in lieu of student fees. Funds may go to scholarships, creation of a mobile application, TAP Card lanyards and holders, and the like.

7) Mobile Application & GPS. District should pursue technological improvements to program. Norwalk Transit has expressed interest in developing a mobile application for line #1 and using GPS for student to see bus locations in real-time.

8) Form Student Rider Group. I strongly recommend a student rider group form to meet at least quarterly or monthly to provide feedback on program and advocate for Go Rio issues.

Go Rio Student Transit Program MOU Approved by Norwalk City Council with the Norwalk Transit System.

Tuesday night, August 16, 2011, I attended the Norwalk City Council Meeting to speak on Council AgendaItem 13; Go Rio! Transit Program MOU with Norwalk Transit System.

The Norwalk City Council Approved Unanimously the MOU with Rio Hondo Community College District for the Go Rio Public Transportation Program continuing service to students and residents.

The Council had various questions and concerns regarding the recent fair increases and whether Rio Hondo was going to pay for the increases the Council recently approved. Mr. James Parker, Transportation Director, very clearly reported that Rio Hondo has been a partner for over five years and that the MOU contains language that responds to fair increase and that the MOU doesn’t not create a special route but rather utilizes existing routes. The City Attorney also informed the Council that the MOU pays (in advance) fairs at the established rate set by council.

The Council further asked how the City will know how many people will use the service to be sure that the City is being adequately compensated. Mr. Parker responded that the new "TAP" card and its technology collects data instantly and reports can be generated daily, weekly or monthly.

I was given the opportunity to speak on "Open Comment" and extended Rio’s deep appreciation and gratitude for the partnership created over five years ago and expanded on the many benefits of the program: 1) Greater access to Rio Hondo for residents of Norwalk; 2) decreased demand for on-campus parking; 3) decrease in auto emissions-pollution; 4) making college more affordable by utilizing public transit; and 5) a greater environmentally conscience student.

I want to thank Vice Mayor Kelly, Councilmembers Rodarte, Vernola, and Shryock for approving the item and continuing the service.

Go Rio Goes TAP

The Board approved the new innovative state-of-the-art smart chip technology Transit Access Pass (TAP), a new buss pass for Rio Hondo College students that will be honored by Foothill Transit, Metro, Montebello Transit and Norwalk Transit.

We have come a long ways since my first initiative to start a public transportation program for Rio Hondo College students. Since then, we have created partnerships with over six transit agencies to increase access for our students.

I remember, as a Rio Hondo student, going to the MTA hearings to testify on bus scheduling and for increase hours for evening students. Back then, the last bus left Rio Hondo at 9:00pm but our classes ended at 9:55 pm. So, a group of us trekked down the hill through the cemetery and miles home.