High Ridership, July 18, 2011 Vol. 3, No, 23

On July 12, 2011 the Authority’s Annual Board Meeting was held at AstsQuest in South Bethlehem. This event marked LANta’s 39^th year of service to the Lehigh Valley.

Throughout the past fiscal year LANta marked some significant events and has set a solid foundation for the future. The first, carrying nearly 6 million passengers on its three operating divisions; LANtaBus, LANtaVan and Carbon County Transit Author­ity. LANtaBus’s total, though less than our past year; is among the top five ridership years in the Authority’s history. The commitment to improved service to our custom­ers shows in the strong ridership figures.

The various committees reported on some key events during the year.

· The installation of an Automated Transit Management System was completed in March 2011. This system represents the future in terms of the Authority’s fixed route system.

· The first phase of the Moving LANTA Forward program 1s started. The new rout­ing structure has an implementation date of August 29, 2011.

· The Authority’s vision for a new Allentown maintenance garage continues. De­signs for this project are 60% complete and we are in the process of finding the nec­essary dollars to complete this important maintenance facility.

· Work on the Easton Intermodal Transportation Center has seen significant pro­gress. The FTA approved the Environmental Assessment, the City purchased the properties on South Third St., and design efforts are moving forward.

· The new bus shelter program will purchase 200 shelters over the next five years. Staff continues to work with the cities and other municipalities to move this from con­cept to actual construction.

· The initiation of an ADA Certification program. The program is being finalized with the expectation that initial evaluations will begin in August and September 2010.

· The maintenance of the Metro Plus fleet moves forward with the arrival of 20 new vans.

· ADA paratransit services materials are being updated.

· The completing of the Rebranding / Design Project. Key elements are the Au­thority’s new logo, new website, better schedules and timetables, better bus stop signage, and system identification.

· The relationship of land use and transit performance was a focus throughout the year. This included outreach projects to key townships that are serviced by LANtaBus and ongoing discussion with the cities in coordinating land use goals de­veloped at the municipal level, with policies favorable to the development of the tran­sit system.

· The operating program beginning July 1, 2011 is based on a budget of approxi­mately $34.5 million. In addition, the Authority has established a capital improvement program, which will invest approximately $8.8 million in equipment and facilities.

· The operation program for FY 2011-2012 includes an increase in LANTBus fares, effective October 1, 2011. This increase is part of an effort to maintain current service levels, and to provide funding for implementation of route restructuring.

As you can see the Authority has been very focused and busy over the last year striving to make every ride safer, more comfortable, and more rider friendly.