Stimulus money to improve public transportation

Yuma County residents will see some big improvements in the area's public transportation system with the help of $2.4 million in stimulus money for the Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization.

YMPO will purchase eight new 35-foot buses, eight replacement vans for the Dial-a-Ride program and 17 passenger shelters. The Yuma County Transit (YCAT) will also get updated technology with mobile fare equipment and security surveillance equipment for its buses.

Mack Luckie, executive director of YMPO, said in March that officials thought the organization would receive $1.9 million. Luckie found out on Thursday that $2.4 million was the final dollar amount.

"(Yuma County residents) deserve it, and we were able to acquire it, so we're going to make use of it," Luckie said.

The eight new buses will run on the existing seven lines YCAT currently operates, which means they'll be able to retire some of the older buses, Luckie said.

However, YCAT can not create new bus lines with the stimulus money because it can not be used for operating costs, only capital purchases, he said.

Luckie said he hopes to implement the funds within the next month, which means Yuma County residents could quickly see the effects of the stimulus money at work.

One of those is the new mobile fare equipment.

Luckie said the equipment will use a card that riders can load money onto, then swipe when they ride. He said with each ride, the proper amount will be debited from the card.

"It's a lot quicker, (and) makes it much more convenient for the passengers," Luckie said.

Another new addition, Luckie said, will be security cameras that will record the driver and passengers on the buses.

"It provides protection for passengers as well as the driver," Luckie said.

And he said it documents the drivers actions, should it ever be necessary to review.

This technology has existed for a while, but with the help of the stimulus funds, residents in Yuma County will now be able to enjoy it.

"It's been out there, we just couldn't afford it before," Luckie said.

The new technology will be included with the new eight buses and outfitted on the buses that aren't retired, Luckie said.

The 17 bus shelters will be located throughout the county, Luckie said, including Wellton, San Luis and Somerton.

"Hopefully, getting (the riders) out of the sun, making the whole experience a little bit better for them," he said.