SCMTD February 2004 Board of Directors Agendas - Santa Cruz ...
SCMTD February 2004 Board of Directors Agendas - Santa Cruz ...
SCMTD February 2004 Board of Directors Agendas - Santa Cruz ...
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La Unión<br />
Metro<br />
Riders Union<br />
Media Contact:<br />
Mr. Paul Marcelin–Sampson<br />
La Unión de Los Pasajeros de Metro Private Address<br />
The Metro Riders Union <strong>Santa</strong> <strong>Cruz</strong> California 95060<br />
media@metroridersunion.org<br />
(831) 421–9031<br />
January 30, <strong>2004</strong><br />
For immediate release<br />
Fancy new Highway 17 buses arrive<br />
<strong>Santa</strong> <strong>Cruz</strong> -- The Metro Riders Union congratulates the <strong>Santa</strong> <strong>Cruz</strong> Metropolitan Transit<br />
District on the arrival <strong>of</strong> 11 brand-new buses for the San Jose - Scotts Valley - <strong>Santa</strong> <strong>Cruz</strong><br />
corridor. HIGHWAY 17 EXPRESS riders appreciate the reclining seats, fold-down tables,<br />
footrests and reading lights. Also, twice as many people with mobility devices can now be<br />
accommodated.<br />
Emily Reilly, former mayor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Santa</strong> <strong>Cruz</strong> and current chairperson <strong>of</strong> Metro's board, reports<br />
being impressed with the new vehicles. "Check out the buses!" she exclaimed, during a<br />
January 28th interview. "It's the first new equipment since 1989, when they inaugurated the<br />
service," said Metro General Manager Les White during a special tour on January 26th.<br />
Like other new Metro buses, the Highway 17 vehicles were built for conversion to cleanburning<br />
natural gas when a high-capacity fueling station becomes available. The buses have<br />
extra "plumbing", according to Mr. White. The Metro Riders Union notes that the fueling<br />
station is part <strong>of</strong> MetroBase -- an excellent reason to back this long-delayed effort to upgrade<br />
Metro's support facilities. MetroBase will be in the Harvey West area <strong>of</strong> <strong>Santa</strong> <strong>Cruz</strong>.<br />
The new Highway 17 buses also "pave the way for consolidation with Amtrak," observed<br />
Mr. White. If all goes according to plan, the Highway 17 Express will be extended to<br />
Downtown <strong>Santa</strong> <strong>Cruz</strong> (Metro Center) in April, replacing the Amtrak bus service.<br />
Metro Riders Union founder Paul Marcelin-Sampson has been working since December to<br />
make sure that the various partners, including <strong>Santa</strong> <strong>Cruz</strong> Metro, the <strong>Santa</strong> Clara Valley<br />
Transportation Authority (VTA), the Amtrak Capitol Corridor, and the Caltrans Rail<br />
Program, pay more attention to the needs <strong>of</strong> riders. "Service will improve overall, so I am<br />
compelled to support the consolidation," said Mr. Marcelin-Sampson.<br />
Pictures <strong>of</strong> the new buses are available at http://photos.yahoo.com/metroridersunion/<br />
Highway 17 Express schedules are available at http://www.scmtd.com/routes/rt17.html<br />
The Metro Riders Union is an independent group <strong>of</strong> concerned bus riders. We are not<br />
affiliated with the <strong>Santa</strong> <strong>Cruz</strong> Metropolitan Transit District.<br />
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