Needles Area Transit

Last updated
Needles Area Transit
Needles Area Transit logo.png
Parent City of Needles
Headquarters817 Third Street Needles, CA
Service areaColorado River [1]
Service type bus service, paratransit
Routes2
Fleet4 buses
Annual ridership25,508 passengers(2023) [2]
Operator RATP Dev [3]
Website cityofneedles.com/transit

Needles Area Transit (NAT) is the public transportation system, including a Dial-a-Ride program for seniors and persons with disabilities, serving residents of the City of Needles in San Bernardino County, California. The NAT system transports approximately 34,000 riders each year.

Contents

Needles Area Transit has the smallest service area of transit system operators in San Bernardino County, at 31 square miles [4]

Route overview

Needles Area Transit provides deviated fixed route service on a single route within Needles. The service operates hourly, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and for 4 hours on Saturday. NAT serves most of the area within the City, with the exception of some trailer parks on the north end of the city. [3]

The single NAT route operates as two loops, starting and ending at the same stop on G Street and Broadway, near the city's Chamber of Commerce. At the start of each hour (nn:00), the bus departs on the West Loop, returning to G and Broadway at 25 minutes past the hour (nn:25). At the half hour (nn:30), the bus departs on the North-South Loop, returning to G and Broadway at 55 minutes past the hour (nn:55). Both loops service the city's major shopping center (Needles Towne Center), departing at 20 and 50 minutes past the hour on the return leg along Broadway to the route's origin/end point. [5] Deviations from the fixed route are allowed, schedule permitting, if pre-arranged with the dispatcher. [6]

In 2014, NAT offered a seasonal route with service to Jack Smith Park, which offers recreational access to the Colorado River. Riders were not allowed to carry rafts, but deflated river inflatables were allowed, as long as they were stowed in a bag. [7] [8]

In addition to the single NAT fixed route, the City of Needles operates the Needles Dial-a-Ride (aka Senior Shuttle), with curb-to-curb service for persons age 55 and over or persons with limited mobility, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday; Dial-a-Ride Medical, open to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis, with trips to medical facilities in Bullhead City, Arizona on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and Shopper Shuttle Pilot to major retail stores in Fort Mohave, including Walmart and Safeway, on Wednesdays. [9] :4

Fixed-Route

RouteTerminalsViaWeekday Service HoursSaturday Service Hours
West Needles

G St & Broadway St

Broadway St, Lillyhill Dr7:00 a.m. - 6:55 p.m.10:00 a.m. - 4:55 p.m.
North-SouthBroadway St

Bus fleet

Fixed-Route

Make/ModelFleet NumbersThumbnailYearEngineTransmissionNotes
Ford E-450 7-82012Ford Triton V8 5.4LFord TorqShift 5R110 5 speed
Chevrolet G4500 9-102018GM Vortec V6 4.3LGM 4L80-E 4 speed automatic

History

Public transportation within Needles started with a 1984 agreement between the city and the Needles Senior Citizens Club. The city entered in to a contract with the Club to provide specialized transportation services, becoming responsible for hiring and providing drivers, and for purchasing the paratransit vehicles. In 2016, McDonald Transit Associates took over operations for the Dial-a-Ride services. [10]

NAT began operating in May 1995; the initial operator was Laidlaw. [11] The operations contract subsequently was taken over by McDonald Transit Associates, the transit affiliate of RATP Dev, [12] from 2006 to 2019. [13] Transportation Concepts, the transit division of Parking Concepts, Inc., took over the operations contracts for NAT and Dial-a-Ride services starting in October 2019. [14] [15]

The NAT office and garage are in the west end of the historic El Garces Intermodal Transportation Facility, which connects with Amtrak. [16] NAT uses two 18-passenger buses and the Dial-a-Ride service uses a single 9-passenger bus. [17]

New shelters/benches were installed at bus stops in February 2019, and modern signs informed riders when buses are scheduled to arrive. [18]

In 2019, NAT was seeking funding from SBCTA for a pilot program named Shopper Shuttle. It would have taken residents to Fort Mojave for their grocery needs, as the city lost its only grocery store. [19] The Pilot program was going to start late 2019 and continue until 2023. [20] The pilot program officially began in July 2021. [21] In 2021, SBCTA recommended extending the Shopper Shuttle pilot into a limited stop fixed route, twice weekly service, to Bullhead City as a way to reduce cost on the transit system by combining the shopper shuttle with its separate dial-a-ride medical service. [22]

Fares

Needles Area Transit fares [9] :5
 Regular [lower-alpha 1] [lower-alpha 2] Discount [lower-alpha 3]
Regular Route1.351.25
Deviation Service2.001.90
Single Boarding Pass1.351.35
30-ride Punch Pass39.00N/A
Notes
  1. Adults and youths age 6 and older
  2. Up to two children age 5 and under may ride without charge, accompanied by a fare-paying adult
  3. Seniors age 60 and over and persons with disabilities

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Area Rapid Transit</span> American transit agency

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is a transit agency serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex of Texas. It operates buses, light rail, commuter rail, and high-occupancy vehicle lanes in Dallas and twelve of its suburbs. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 50,463,300, or about 166,900 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King County Metro</span> Public transit operator in King County, Washington, US

King County Metro, officially the King County Metro Transit Department and often shortened to Metro, is the public transit authority of King County, Washington, which includes the city of Seattle. It is the eighth-largest transit bus agency in the United States. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 78,121,600, or about 256,200 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023. Metro employs 2,444 full-time and part-time operators and operates 1,540 buses.

StarMetro is the city-owned and operated public bus service for Tallahassee, Florida, and was previously known as TalTran. StarMetro operates both fixed-route and dial-a-ride service in the Tallahassee metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LANta</span> Lantana

TheLehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTa) is a regional public transportation authority that provides public bus and rapid transit service throughout the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania, including Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and their respective suburbs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omnitrans</span>

Omnitrans, stylized as "OmniTrans," is a public transportation agency in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The largest transit operator within San Bernardino County, it serves the San Bernardino Valley. The agency was established in 1976 through a joint powers agreement and today includes 15 cities and portions of the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. In addition to the southwestern corner of San Bernardino County, Omnitrans provides service to parts of Riverside and Los Angeles Counties. Omnitrans currently carries about 11 million passengers per year. Omnitrans currently operates fixed route bus service, bus rapid transit and a paratransit service for the disabled, “Access.” Omnitrans operates throughout the urbanized area of southwestern San Bernardino County: south of the San Bernardino Mountains, from Upland, Montclair, and Chino in the west to Redlands, California and Yucaipa in the east. The Omnitrans service area covers approximately 480 square miles (1,200 km2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Valley Transit Authority</span> Public transportation agency in Minnesota, US

The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, also known by the acronym MVTA, is a public transportation agency that serves seven communities in the southern portion of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. The agency provides fixed-route and demand-responsive transit within the service area of the communities and to select destinations in the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intercity Transit</span> Local public transit operator in Thurston County, Washington

Intercity Transit is a public transportation agency organized as a municipal corporation in Thurston County, Washington, United States. It serves Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Yelm: an area of approximately 94 square miles (240 km2). It operates 21 bus routes, the Dial-A-Lift door-to-door service, a vanpool program, and specialized van programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marin Transit</span> Public bus agency in California, US

Marin Transit is a public bus agency in Marin County, California, in the United States. Originally formed in 1964 as Marin County Transit District (MCTD). Marin Transit was re-branded on 30 July 2007 and now provides a variety of fixed-route and demand-response services using contractors. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 2,814,700, or about 8,800 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demand-responsive transport</span> Shared transport services based only on demand without fixed routes or timetables

Demand-responsive transport (DRT), also known as demand-responsive transit, demand-responsive service, Dial-a-Ride transit, flexible transport services, Microtransit, Non-Emergency Medical Transport (NEMT), Carpool or On-demand bus service is a form of shared private or quasi-public transport for groups traveling where vehicles alter their routes each journey based on particular transport demand without using a fixed route or timetabled journeys. These vehicles typically pick-up and drop-off passengers in locations according to passengers needs and can include taxis, buses or other vehicles. Passengers can typically summon the service with a mobile phone app or by telephone; telephone is particularly relevant to older users who may not be conversant with technology.

Cobourg Transit is a fully accessible community transit system that serves the Town of Cobourg, operating with a fleet of diesel buses. The buses are separated into two areas on the interior, the front having low floors with seating reserved for accessibility access if needed, and poles to help riders safely stand. The section behind the second door is raised by some steps, and being just seating without much open space.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pasadena Transit</span> Bus system in Pasadena, California

Pasadena Transit, formerly known as Pasadena Area Rapid Transit System, is the transit bus service in the city of Pasadena, California. The system was launched as a single shuttle route ahead of the 1994 FIFA World Cup at the Rose Bowl. The system greatly expanded in 2001 and ahead of the opening of the Metro Gold Line in 2003. As of July 2022, the system consists of eight lines, which are operated under contract by First Transit, with a fleet of 32 buses.

Mountain Transit is the third largest regional transit agency in San Bernardino County, California. Mountain Transit serves the San Bernardino Mountain communities of Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, and Big Bear Lake, providing local service for more than 163,000 passengers each year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basin Transit</span> Public transport agency in San Bernardino County, California, US

Basin Transit, formerly Morongo Basin Transit Authority (MBTA), is the transit agency that serves the Morongo Basin in San Bernardino County, California. It is a joint powers authority between Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, and San Bernardino County. In addition to service within the Morongo Basin, it connects the Morongo Basin to Palm Springs International Airport. Basin Transit Service Area is of 1,300 square miles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Valley Transit Authority</span> Transit agency in San Bernardino County, California, US

Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA), the second largest transit operator in San Bernardino County, is a transit agency providing bus service in the Victor Valley, California area. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 1,476,600.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valley Regional Transit</span>

Valley Regional Transit is a public agency which is the main provider of mass transit service in metropolitan Boise, Idaho. Nineteen routes operate in Ada County with seven of these providing six-day-per-week service in Boise. An on-demand service is provided in Canyon County. Four intercounty commuter lines are also offered. Both a peak hour express route and an all-day limited-stop incarnation of the same route connect Nampa and Meridian. Service also connects Boise State University with the College of Western Idaho in Nampa in which a third route directly links the two. A fourth express route only runs twice per day in each direction connecting Caldwell and Boise.

sbX Bus rapid transit service in San Bernardino County, California

sbX is a bus rapid transit (BRT) service in San Bernardino and Loma Linda, California, United States. It is operated by Omnitrans, a public transportation agency in southwestern San Bernardino County. The route is internally named by Omnitrans as the Green Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Bernardino County Transportation Authority</span> Planning and operating agency in California

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is the successor to San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG). They are responsible for administering the Measure I half-cent tax which voters in San Bernardino County, California, passed most recently in 2004. The SBCTA conducts transportation planning, construction, and operation in San Bernardino County. The SBCTA is a joint powers authority comprising the entire county and its cities. Every city and county supervisor is provided one seat on the board, and it also includes a nonvoting member from the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) District 8.

The Northeastern Connecticut Transit District (NECTD) is an agency providing multiple forms of public transportation in northeastern Connecticut. Six fixed routes (with deviation on request) provide week-round service to the towns of Brooklyn, Killingly, Plainfield, Putnam, and Thompson. Using fixed route service connections to WRTD can be made in Killingly and to SEAT in Plainfield respectively. With advance reservation NECTD also offers dial-a-ride service to the general public and door-to-door to select elderly and disabled persons. Dial-a-ride and door-to-door service is available to all towns served by NECTD's fixed routes as well as to Canterbury, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret, Union, and Woodstock. Following a pilot program which began in 1977, NECTD was founded in October 1979, with its first service beginning in August 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver Rider Transit</span> Nevada public transportation operator

Silver Rider Transit is a public transportation operator in Clark County, Nevada, United States. Silver Rider Transit operates in the rural portion of Clark county, with focus cities of Laughlin and Mesquite.

References

  1. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-10-09. Retrieved 2009-09-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Agenda - Thursday, December 14, 2023" (PDF). SBCTA. SBCTA. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  3. 1 2 Public Transit-Human Services, Transportation Coordination Plan for San Bernardino County 2007
  4. "Agenda - Thursday, August 10, 2023" (PDF). sbcta. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  5. "Route Map". City of Needles. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  6. "How to Ride the NAT". City of Needles. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  7. Lopez, Zachary (April 9, 2014). "Video Alert!!: Needles, CA: Needles Area Transit (N.A.T.) Jack Smith Park Seasonal Express route". ZachNews. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  8. Denevan, Jennifer (April 14, 2014). "NAT to provide service to Jack Smith Park". Needles Desert Star. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  9. 1 2 AMMA Transit Planning (November 2019). Needles Transit Services Short Range Transit Plan 2020–2025 (PDF) (Report). Draft. City of Needles. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  10. Agreement for Dial-a-Ride and Dial-a-Ride Medical/Shopper Shuttle Pilot Program Services (PDF) (Report). City of Needles. September 24, 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  11. Smith, Cat (May 3, 2006). "City seeks new operator for Needles Area Transit". News West. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  12. "McDonald Transit Offers Management Services". Mass Transit Magazine (Press release). September 1, 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  13. Richards, Robin (February 11, 2019). "What must city do to retain bus service? Needles City Council meets Feb. 12". Mohave Valley Daily News West. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  14. Lopez, Zachary (September 30, 2019). "Needles, CA: Summary and voting results from the Needles City Council Meeting". ZachNews. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  15. "Needles Area Transit Rider's Guide" (PDF). City of Needles. October 1, 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  16. Denevan, Jennifer (April 2, 2015). "More change orders for Needles Area Transit garage". Needles Desert Star. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  17. Flores, Saul A. (November 18, 2016). "NAT, Dial-a-Ride to get new vehicles". Needles Desert Star. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  18. Lopez, Zachary (February 19, 2019). "Needles, CA: New bus stop shelters, benches and signage installed for the Needles Area Transit". ZachNews. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  19. https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Support-Material-Agenda-Item-No.-12-Needles-SRTP.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  20. "Needles, CA: Summary and voting results from the Needles City Council Meeting". 30 September 2019.
  21. https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021-12-09-Transit-Committee-Full-Agenda-1785.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  22. "Transit Committee Meeting, September 2021" (PDF). San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. Retrieved 12 March 2022.