The Point: RCTC salutes Freeway Service Patrol drivers who provide exceptional service to drivers in need  

Being stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire or dead battery can ruin an otherwise perfectly sunny day. The Riverside County Transportation Commission administers a Freeway Service Patrol program in partnership with Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol to help stranded motorists on busy highways in western Riverside County. From taping radiator hoses and changing tires, to towing you to the nearest CHP-approved location, this free service keeps traffic moving and helps prevent secondary accidents.

Every year, RCTC staff reviews the prior year assists and data-entry statistics and recognizes exemplary FSP drivers based on their stellar performance and positive reviews from motorists. Although there was no red carpet or gold statuettes, the following FSP drivers were honored in a virtual ceremony with certificates and pre-delivered lunchtime barbecue. The 2020 award winners were:

• David Camberos (Pepe’s Towing), Top Driver Award – 3,870 assists with an impressive 0% data-entry error rate
• Alex Alvarado (Coastal Pride Towing), Driver of Excellence Award – 2,998 assists with a data-entry error rate of 0.9%
• Marquis Jones (Coastal Pride Towing), Rookie of the Year Award – 3,058 assists for his first year
• Manuel Gonzalez-Moreno (Pepe’s Towing), Most Assists Award – 2,679 assists
• George Ballesteros (Pepe’s Towing), Public Choice Award – 48 positive comments

“Freeway Service Patrol drivers are heroes to many stranded motorists who live or drive in Riverside County,” said RCTC Chair and Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik. “Our FSP drivers are quick to respond, are friendly, and keep our roads safe. It is impressive to see the number of people our FSP drivers helped in 2020. Each of those assists mean the world to the motorists in need,” she said.

The FSP program is funded by Caltrans and RCTC, with additional funding from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction for special weekend service. FSP operates Monday through Friday (except on some holidays) from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for the morning commute, and from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the afternoon commute. Friday afternoon service begins early from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Learn more about FSP.

Service started June 28, 1993 with eight trucks on State Routes 60 and 91. During the early years, drivers performed about 16,000 assists per year. With the growth of the program, assists now number a whopping 40,000 each year.

And did we mention it’s free? FSP drivers also are not allowed to accept tips from motorists.

After each “assist,” motorists are asked to complete a satisfaction survey. So many motorists have compared their FSP drivers to superheroes that “Captain FSP” was created as the new FSP mascot.

“He appeared like an angel or a superhero, out of thin air, at precisely the perfect moment,” said one motorist. Another noted, “The driver is my hero of the year…such a great professional…he made me and my kid feel like everything was going to be okay, despite the situation.”

In June 2016, the 91 Line was extended 24 miles to Perris, creating the 91/Perris Valley Line to serve travelers from Perris, Moreno Valley, Riverside, Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula and other southwestern Riverside County communities.

Throughout the years, Metrolink service has continued to grow and now serves as the nation’s third largest commuter rail system, with seven routes, 62 stations, and 534 route-miles across its system. An average of 39,000 passengers ride Metrolink each weekday, with 60 percent of these riders crossing county lines.

RCTC owns and operates nine stations in Riverside County, including three in Riverside, two in Perris, two in Corona, one in Jurupa Valley, and one in Moreno Valley. Metrolink’s service reduces 8.7 million car trips each year and reduces 110,338 metric tons of greenhouse gases.

During recent years, Metrolink has made several technological advancements, creating mobile ticketing in 2016, introducing its low-emission Tier-4 locomotives in 2016, and serving as the first railroad in the nation to implement Positive Train Control for added safety.