PERRIS, CA — Due to maintenance and rehabilitation projects, 91/Perris Valley Line service will be interrupted on Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23, 2024.

That weekend, 91/Perris Valley Line trains will not operate between the Perris-South and Riverside-Downtown stations. Alternate bus transportation will be provided at all stations between Perris and Riverside. Expect delays as the buses negotiate traffic congestion.

Safety is foundational at Metrolink, and we are regularly working to ensure our system’s long-term safety and reliability in the communities we serve. We apologize that these necessary infrastructure enhancements result in the closure of the rail line and the inconveniences it causes our riders. We will continue to look for ways to minimize the impact of these closures as best as possible as we continue this critical work.

• Will the buses be able to carry bikes?
  • Yes, but not all of them. We work with bus charter companies to have space for both luggage and bicycles, but the compartments are not necessarily designed to secure bicycles. When we can secure buses that routinely provide public transportation, traditional bicycle racks are located outside of the buses.
    
• Are the buses ADA-accessible?
  • Yes. At least one bus will be ADA accessible within each scheduled bus group providing alternate transportation.
    
• Why will trains be delayed by up to 1 hour late?
  • Buses will take the fastest, safest route available; however, we can experience delays from 30-90 minutes due to traffic. It takes buses longer to travel between Metrolink stations than our trains.
    
• Do I need to buy an extra ticket to ride the bus?
  • No. Your Metrolink ticket is all you need.
    
• Where do I catch the bus?
  • • Perris-South Station: 1304 Case Road, Perris CA
  • • Perris-Downtown Station: 121 South C Street, Perris CA
  • • Moreno Valley/March Field Station: 14160 Meridian Parkway, Riverside CA
  • • Riverside-Hunter Park/UCR Station: 1101 Marlborough Avenue, Riverside CA
  • • Riverside-Downtown Station: 4066 Vine St., Riverside CA
• 
  Will there be personnel at the stations to assist us?
• Metrolink will make every effort to have staff at stations with bus bridge service. For additional assistance, call or text 800-371-LINK (5465).

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There’s a lot of uncertainty about some aspects of life today. However, the importance of proper heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) installation and maintenance is a constant for homeowners, especially for those who have been spending a lot more time at home lately.

A well-maintained system keeps heating and cooling costs low, your family safe and comfortable in all kinds of weather, and is environmentally-friendly to boot. Luckily, homeowners can safely have HVACR work done during the coronavirus outbreak if they take proper precautions. Whether you’re a first time homeowner installing a brand new system, or have lived in your current residence for years and are maintaining an older system, here’s what to know:

• Look at your current energy bills to identify inefficiencies. There are certain maintenance steps you can and should take on your own, if possible: replace air filters monthly to ensure efficient air flow; keep tabs on your outdoor unit, clearing it of debris and obstructions; seal up drafty windows and doorways.

• Have general questions or need an HVACR consultation? Conduct these initial conversations via telephone and videoconference instead of in-person.

• Schedule preventative maintenance annually to ensure your system doesn’t stop running when you need it most. Professional technicians can check for such factors as damaged insulation around refrigerant lines or ducts with poor seals, all of which can cause your system to lose efficiency. These days, it’s especially important for this work to be taken care of properly the first time, so make sure it’s performed by a technician certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE-certified technicians have proven their knowledge and expertise by passing specialized certification exams. To find local contractors that employ technicians with these qualifications, visit www.natex.org.

• Before hiring a contractor, ask what steps the company is taking to protect its employees and potential customers. For example, Vanessa Gonzales of Albuquerque Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, says her technicians are equipped with gloves, eye protection and suits to wear when they’re needed, as well as supplies to sanitize their devices. Her company is also working on a touchless system for processing estimates and work orders. These considerations can allow you to have needed HVACR work performed during this time while keeping you and your family safe.

• Ask anyone entering your home to wear a mask, gloves, shoe covers and to practice social distancing. You can show the technician the area they will need access, but make sure to give them six feet or more space.

• First time homeowner or replacing your unit? Choose furnaces and air conditioners bearing the ENERGY STAR logo. A properly-sized and installed ENERGY STAR air conditioner uses up to 20 percent less electricity than older models.

A NATE-certified technician can help you identify the right size unit for your home and install it properly. More HVACR resources, energy savings tips and advice for going green at home can be found by visiting natex.org. By doing certain tasks on your own and hiring trusted contractors to help with everything else, you can keep your HVACR system running smoothly in the months to come.

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Nearly 70 percent of all car sales are used vehicles, thanks to the rising costs of new cars and the increasing quality of their used counterparts. While buying a previously owned vehicle makes the best financial sense in a lot of cases, experts say there are some things to keep in mind.

“To keep everyone on the road safe and protect your purchase, all drivers need to stay up-to-date on car maintenance,” says Doug Turner, director of service operations at Byrider, the nation’s largest used car and finance network of dealerships. “This is especially true for those with used cars.”

April is National Car Care Month and to help you extend the life of your used car, the automotive experts at Byrider are offering the following tips:

• Follow the maintenance recommendations of the manufacturer.

• Caring for a vehicle is similar to caring for oneself — take preventative steps to help keep your car healthy. Pay special attention to issues, noises or warning signs that could indicate your vehicle needs maintenance. Warning lights on your dashboard are illuminated for a reason. Understand what they mean and address them as-needed.

• Prevent rust and other issues by keeping the interior and exterior of your vehicle clean.

• Use a trusted repair service that hires Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified technicians. This certification can make a big difference when it comes to quality repairs and maintenance.

• Complete as-needed or at a minimum, an annual inspection, on the vehicle. Keep in mind that different seasons of the year require different inspections and repairs.

• Use quality parts.

• Fill your vehicle with the proper gas. Use premium if the vehicle manufacturer suggests it.

• Regular oil changes will keep your car running as smoothly as possible. Be sure to use the proper oil per the manufacturer recommendations.

• When buying a vehicle, stick to retail dealers that put cars through a detailed inspection process. This will help to ensure a given vehicle’s safety and reliability. At the same time, consider dealers with an attached service department. “Your relationship with the dealership shouldn’t end once you drive the car off the lot,” adds Turner. In the case of Byrider, every car sold comes with a warranty or optional service agreement, as well as discounted parts, labor and service. To learn more, visit byrider.com.

A used vehicle can be a great investment. Extend the life of your car and stay safer on the roads by making smart purchasing decisions and taking a proactive approach to maintenance.

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Multiple improvements to be made and maintenance to be had.

This last week the Hemet City council has been talking maintenance and sustainability.

On Nov 12 city council approved 3 projects:

1. The Kirby Street Improvement Project
2. The Warren Road and Auto Boulevard project
3. The city purchased 4 electric charging stations and 2 electric vehicles as well.

The Kirby Street project, the cost of which is estimated to be $531,543.00, is covered by “Measure A” and entails the area between Devonshire and Menlo on Kirby Street, which will be subject to general improvements including; removal and reconstruction of failed asphalt areas, curb & gutter, cross gutter, non-compliant handicap ramps, as well as re-striping. Potholes be gone! This is a fairly small project, so the estimated timeline for completion of the project is 40 working days and will be carried out by Superior Paving Company dba United Paving Co. 

The Second project approved by the city is the construction of a traffic signal at Warren Road and Auto Boulevard. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $350,000.00.  This cost is also covered by a budget the City Council created called the CIP 5613. The process of constructing the traffic signal isn’t a long or tedious one, but the time to actually procure it can take up to six months so there is no set timeline for this project. It will begin once equipment arrives. 

Third on the list was the purchase of electric vehicles as well as their charging stations. The City has decided to purchase 2 of these vehicles. They can be acquired for little to no money under the Local Government Partnership Program Contract which supports California’s Cities in their attempts to procure zero-emission vehicles and install electric vehicle charging infrastructure. With that, the cost of this project, $112,575.04 will be similarly offset: good news for those of you who have electric vehicles or are interested in making the change. As the prominence of electric vehicles rises, the interest and funding towards supporting that local interest will rise as well.

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