June 24, 2005
Media Advisory
To: News Directors and News Editors
From: Veronika Avery, Assistant Director of Media Relations,
342-5444, vavery@ulm.edu
Rod Washington, Public Relations/Media Coordinator,
329-2551, rod.washington@ci.monroe.la.us
JULY 5TH RIBBON CUTTING SET FOR NEW MONROE TRANSIT BUSES TO HELP KICK OFF YEAR-LONG CELEBRATION OF MONROE TRANSIT SYSTEMS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 5th at the Monroe Civic Center to celebrate the addition of four (4) new transit buses to the Monroe Transit fleet. Both the exterior and interior of the buses are completely redesigned from the fleet purchased in 2003. In designing the exterior, the city partnered with the University of Louisiana at Monroe to create a paint scheme that could show the Monroe community's support of its university while also keeping with the Monroe Transit and the City of Monroe's identity. A ceremonial maiden voyage will be conducted following the ribbon cutting.
Mayor Jamie Mayo comments, "These
vibrant new buses inspire a totally different level of respect
and appreciation for the Monroe Transit System. The new amenities
will make riding easier for all transit passengers and the great
new color scheme displays the pride we have in ULM and the
Ouachita River."
ULM President Dr. Jim Cofer comments, "I commend Mayor Mayo and the City of Monroe for the artwork of these buses. This is a tremendous gesture and underscores the Mayor's support for ULM. I am pleased that he provided this opportunity for the City and ULM to work together and I'm looking forward to working together more in the future."
July 5th also begins Monroe Transit's Night Rider service. Four bus routes will run until 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This extension of hours will allow people to access work, shopping, and other destinations beyond the current ending time of 6:45 p.m.
The Monroe Transit system has taken delivery of four (4) new transit buses manufactured by the Gillig Corporation in Hayward, CA. The 35 feet long by 102-inch wide buses offer the latest in design and passenger comfort. Each bus seats 36 passengers and has a standing capacity for an additional 20 people. Several amenities have also been incorporated to improve accessibility and the overall riding experience:
1. Three LCD destination signs clearly
display route and destination
Information and other informational messages.
2. A kneeling feature allows the front entrance door to lower
approximately six inches, allowing easier access for the elderly
and
disabled.
3. A wheelchair lift is also incorporated into the front stairwell,
allowing persons in wheelchairs or those who cannot climb stairs
to board.
4. A bicycle rack, mounted on the front of the bus allows
passengers to bring their bicycles along.
FUNDING
The NEW buses were purchased with a grant from the U.S. Department
of Transportation Federal Transit Administration, with a 20%
match from the city of Monroe. The overall cost for each bus
was $272,359.
100TH ANNIVERSARY
This new design kicks off the city's celebration of Monroe Transit
System's 100th Anniversary. Begun in 1906, Monroe's Municipal
Street Railway division was the second publicly owned streetcar
system in the United States; predating both San Francisco and
New Orleans' public systems. Four streetcar lines served the
main areas of Monroe, such as: DeSiard Street; Lee Avenue, South
Grand; and, what is now the Garden District. Since its inception,
the Monroe Transit System has been continuously operated by the
city of Monroe for almost 100 years, making it the oldest publicly
owned transit system in the United States.
For this and other ULM news online visit www.ulm.edu. While there, check out ULM's on-line calendar for all of ULM's upcoming events.
-ulm-