Friday, August 27, 2010

Transit unions agree to Sept. 30, 2010 contract extensions‏






Veolia Transportation Services Labor Negotiations Continue

Negotiations Update Friday, Aug. 27, 5:15p.m.:
Transit Labor Unions Agree to extend talks to Sept. 30 2010

Labor negotiations are continuing between Phoenix’s transit operations contractor Veolia Transportation Services and its labor unions: the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 428 (mechanics) and Teamsters Local 104 (maintenance staff) have both agreed to a Sept. 30, 2010 extension.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local No.1433 (bus operators) has a labor negotiations extension until the end of September 2010.

Passengers can get more information about Veolia Transportation Services, the City of Phoenix Public Transit Department, and ongoing labor negotiations at
www.phoenix.gov/publictransit/strikeinfo.html.

Veolia operates 33 of the Valley’s 99 bus routes in the Valley Metro system.

The City of Phoenix Public Transit Department provides local bus, RAPID, Express, Neighborhood Circulator, and Dial-A-Ride service to the public. Each of these services is provided by the city through contracts with private companies, which are responsible for hiring employees, scheduling and staffing routes, and negotiating employee benefits and compensation as part of their agreements.

Source: Phoenix Public Transit Department

Friday, August 13, 2010

Central Mesa light rail extension is one step closer to federal funding‏

The Federal Transit Administration has approved METRO light rail’s request to enter Project Development for the Central Mesa light rail extension. This marks the first step in receiving federal project approval and ultimately federal funds to build the 3.1-mile extension on Main Street from the current end-of-line at Sycamore, through downtown Mesa to Mesa Drive.

“This is a significant milestone for the Central Mesa light rail extension,” said Mesa Vice Mayor and METRO Board Vice Chairman Kyle Jones. “It allows us to begin designing the project that we’ve all worked so hard to develop over the past three years.”

With this approval, preliminary engineering work can begin and will be conducted by Jacobs Engineering. METRO has contracted with Jacobs for preliminary and final engineering that will collectively take approximately two years and be followed shortly by construction. The Central Mesa extension is scheduled for completion in 2016.

“Central Mesa is a solid project,” said Steve Banta, METRO CEO. “While the FTA process is competitive, our project received a favorable rating and should fare well in its application for federal grant money.” The project cost is estimated at $200 million and will be paid for using a mix of regional and federal funds.

For more information on the Central Mesa light rail extension, visit
www.metrolightrail.org/centralmesa.

About METRO

METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened Dec. 27, 2008 and served 11.3 million riders in 2009, exceeding all first-year ridership projections. METRO continues to serve an average of 41,000 daily riders and refine its 20-mile operation. It is also planning for 37 miles of future extensions.

Source: Metro Light Rail

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Re-election of METRO light rail Board chairs

Phoenix Councilman Tom Simplot and Mesa Vice Mayor Kyle Jones will remain as METRO light rail’s Board of Directors Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively, for fiscal year 2010 – 2011.

“We are extremely pleased to have these two innovative leaders on board to continue to guide METRO on a path of growth and quality service for our current and future riders,” said Stephen R. Banta, METRO CEO.

Councilman Simplot has served as METRO Board Chairman for the past four years; Vice Mayor Jones as Vice Chairman for the past year.

“I am proud to continue to serve as Chair of the METRO Board of Directors,” said Councilman Simplot. “In less than two years, we have seen consistent increases in ridership, expanded late night service and provided a METRO experience that continues to exceed riders' expectations. I look forward to building on this foundation in the coming year.”

The City of Mesa’s Board involvement will be critical as METRO moves forward with the Central Mesa light rail extension from the current end-of-line at Sycamore, through downtown Mesa, to Mesa Drive by 2016.

“It’s been an honor to represent Mesa on the METRO Board of Directors and I look forward to continuing my service as Vice Chair during what will continue to be an exciting and challenging time, especially with the light rail extension,” said Vice Mayor Jones.

The METRO Board consists of elected leadership from each member city who work collaboratively to establish METRO policies, disperse funds and manage the system’s growth. The METRO member cities are Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Glendale, Peoria and Chandler.

[Headshots are available upon request.]

About METRO

METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened Dec. 27, 2008 and served 11.3 million riders in 2009, exceeding all first-year ridership projections. METRO continues to serve an average of 41,000 daily riders and refine its 20-mile operation. It is also planning for 37 miles of future extensions.


Source: Metro Light Rail

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Reversible Lanes Update

The members of the ad hoc committee tasked with studying the Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street Reversible Lanes were sworn in last month at the final City Council meeting before summer break. The committee will convene this month, and public meetings will start in September. More information will be available in the near future.

Feel free to contact my office at 602-262-7447 or email
council.district.4@phoenix.gov if you have any questions.

Source: Phoenix City Council - District 4

Transit Bus Strike‏

As you may have heard, transit employee unions are negotiating with their employer Veolia Transportation Services on new Collective Bargaining Agreements. Veolia is contracted to the City of Phoenix to operate 33 of the 99 Valley Metro routes. If an agreement is not reached by Sunday, August 15, the unions could vote to continue the negotiations or go on strike as early as Monday, August 16.

If a strike is called, this would severely reduce service on the Veolia-operated routes. A plan is being developed to keep the buses running but at a reduce frequency. A contingency plan will be posted as soon as possible on our website. More information such as which routes will be impacted is now on our website which can be reached through ValleyMetro.org or by going directly to
http://www.phoenix.gov/publictransit/strikeinfo.html

We know that this is a difficult situation for our customers and we appreciate your patience during this time. If you have questions, please contact us
PubTrans@phoenix.gov Phoenix Public Transit Department

Or by calling (602) 253-5000 Valley Metro Customer Service Line

Source: Phoenix Public Transit Department