Public Transit Department asks users on feedback about proposed budget‏

PHOENIX PUBLIC TRANSIT NEEDS FEEDBACK ON NEW BUDGET CUTS

Feedback will shape response to state funding cuts totaling approx. $11 million

The Phoenix Public Transit Department is soliciting public feedback on new budget cuts required because of actions taken to balance the State of Arizona budget. The department will hold community outreach events in each of Phoenix’s eight council districts to get residents’ opinions of possible service reductions. The public can also provide input online through an online survey at www.phoenix.gov/publictransit or by e-mailing pubtrans@phoenix.gov with the subject line “Budget Cuts Feedback.”

In the budget passed by the legislature in March, a sweep of the Local Transportation Assistance Funds (LTAF) cost the City of Phoenix approximately $11 million over the remainder of this fiscal year and next year, 2010-11. These new reductions are in addition to service changes approved in the city budget adopted in March by the Phoenix City Council. These new reductions could affect all city transit services, including local bus routes and RAPID routes, as well as Dial-a-Ride service.

Options for changes to service include elimination or service reduction of certain bus routes; reduction of Dial-a-Ride service to federally-mandated minimums; and partial reduction or complete elimination of the Phoenix Neighborhood Circulator program, a free transit service that travels through communities, and connects residents to schools, shops and other public services. Public Transit Department staff will be asking for feedback from the public at the following events, and will also be available to answer questions.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH SCHEDULE

Tuesday, March 30, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Pecos Community Center
17010 S. 48th Street

Thursday, April 1, 9:30 a.m.
Public Transit Department Offices, 4th Floor
302 N. First Ave.

Tuesday, April 6, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Sunnyslope Transit Center (courtyard)
8927 N. 3rd St.

Wednesday, April 7, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Bret Tarver Learning Center
1516 N. 35th Ave.

Thursday, April 8, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
MetrocenterTransitCenter
9415 N. Metro Parkway

Thursday, April 8, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Ed PastorTransitCenter
10 W. Broadway Rd.

Thursday, April 8, 5 - 7 p.m.
Agave Public Library
23550 N. 36th Ave.

Monday, April 12, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Paradise Valley Mall Transit Center
4623 E. Paradise Village Parkway North

Monday, April 12, 4 - 6 p.m.
Hope VI CTEC
1150 S. 7th Ave.

Monday, April 12, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Paradise Valley Community Center
17402 N. 40th St.

Tuesday, April 13, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Cowden Center - John C. Lincoln Hospital
9202 N. 2nd St.

Tuesday, April 13, 6 - 8 p.m.
Desert Sky Mall (meeting room near Cinema Latina)
761 W. Thomas Rd.

Wednesday, April 14, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Central Station
Central Ave. & Van Buren St.

For more information, call Phoenix Public Transit at 602-262-7242, or visit www.phoenix.gov/publictransit or e-mail pubtrans@phoenix.gov.

Source: Phoenix Public Transit

Provide input on potential METRO service changes‏

Provide input on potential METRO service changes

PHOENIX — Two public meetings are scheduled to hear rider input on service change options for METRO light rail. Any changes would occur in July 2010.

Tues., March 2, 6 – 8 p.m.
METRO light rail boardroom
101 N. 1st Ave., Ste. 1300, Phoenix
Closest station: Washington/Central Ave. (westbound) or Van Buren/1st Ave. (eastbound)

Tues., March 9, 6 – 8 p.m.
Tempe Transportation Center
Don Cassano Community Room
200 E. Fifth St., Tempe
Closest station: Veterans Way/College Ave.

Changes are being considered to address a decline in sales tax revenue as a result of the slow economy. Sales tax revenue is the largest funding source for transit service Valleywide; fare revenue supports the balance of operating costs at approximately 25 percent. While METRO ridership has surpassed all first-year projections, riders’ fare revenue contribution cannot keep up with the drop in sales tax collections.

Public input will help METRO and its member cities determine the fiscal year 2010 – 11 METRO operating budget and schedule. The budget is scheduled for Board approval in the May timeframe with any changes occurring on July 26, 2010.

Review the service change options and other opportunities for comment at http://www.metrolightrail.org/.

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. Ridership exceeds projections by 34 percent on weekdays and fairs as well or better on Saturdays and Sundays. METRO will continue to refine its 20-mile operation, while also planning for 37 miles of future extensions.

Source: Metro Light Rail

Phoenix General Plan Update - We need your help!‏

Many of you may have been wondering what is happening with the Phoenix General Plan Update. We received a lot of input from the community during the months of October and November, but also noticed that attendance at our workshops dropped off. After taking a look at the input, it was determined that a community dialogue is needed so that all interested parties can hear the diverse comments received and help create a shared vision (or visions) for Phoenix.

The community dialogue will be held on March 6th from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at PhoenixCity Hall with the primary purpose being to develop a vision or visions for Phoenix by answering the question “Where do we want to go?” This would be followed by a second workshop in May that focuses on the question “How do we get there?” The second workshop will allow participants to develop action items based upon the visions created at the first workshop.

We won’t be able to make progress on either of these questions without active participation from people who care about the future of Phoenix. Could this be you?

If you would like to be help chart the course of Phoenix for up to the next 50 years, please send you name and contact information to Carol Johnson, Planning Manager, at carol.johnson@phoenix.gov. Space is limited to the first 120 people who respond, and the deadline is Wednesday, February 24th. You will receive confirmation of your attendance by Friday, February 26th. Please contact Carol Johnson at 602-261-8289, if you have any questions.

IMPORTANT - When you respond, please let us know which 3 visions in the table below are most interesting to you. These statements were developed by looking at the feedback from the village visioning meetings in October and November, and identifying which words or phrases were mentioned most often. There will be individual discussion groups devoted to 12 of these visions areas, and your choices will help us determine which areas are addressed. We will make our best efforts to assign you to a group discussing one of your top 3 vision areas.

FOCUS AREA - COMMUNITY

(VISIONS)

Strong Community Identity
Dense City Core(s)
Superior Governance
Top Education
High Safety
Strong Neighborhoods

FOCUS AREA - ECONOMY

(VISIONS)

Strong Businesses
Smart Government
Innovative Education
Technology Leader
High Economic Diversity
High Employment Opportunities

FOCUS AREA - INFRASTRUCTURE

(VISIONS)

Enhanced Roads/Highways
Comprehensive Mass Transit
Exemplary Water/Canal Use
Abundant Alternative Transit
Green Development
Strong Airport(s)

FOCUS AREA - ENVIRONMENT

(VISIONS)

High Open Space
Low Pollution
Abundant Alternative Energy
Responsible Water Use
High Vegetation
Sustainability Planning

Thank you for your interest in making Phoenix the best it can be!

Source: City of Phoenix

METRO is open for advertising with first train wrap

PHOENIX — METRO light rail and advertising program administrator, CBS Outdoor, have earned their first sale with a train wrap by Grand Canyon University. The wrapped vehicle will makes its launch as early as Sunday, Feb. 14 and will be out in service for the next six months.

The METRO Board of Directors amended the agency advertising policy to permit sales of vehicle wraps, vehicle floor decals, station wraps and station display case advertising in July 2009. METRO finalized an agreement with CBS Outdoor to sell the advertising inventory in October.

Progress photos of the train wrap installation will be available this afternoon on METRO’s Facebook page.

To advertise with METRO, contact Brent Wood or Phil Calihan at CBS Outdoor at (602) 246-9569 or via email at brent.wood@cbsoutdoor.com or phil.calihan@cbsoutdoor.com. More information on the METRO advertising program can be found online at www.metrolightrail.org/advertising.

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. Ridership exceeds projections by 34 percent on weekdays and fairs as well or better on Saturdays and Sundays. METRO will continue to refine its 20-mile operation, while also planning for 37 miles of future extensions.

Source: Metro Light Rail

Public Transit Department asks users on feedback about proposed budget‏

Share your views on Phoenix Public Transit's proposed budget

Visit a city budget hearing, or respond online to changes affecting local bus, Dial-A-Ride and light rail.

The Public Transit Department is soliciting comment on its proposals for the citywide 2010-11 budget. A series of public hearings will present proposed changes to the city of Phoenix budget; included in the presentation to the public are proposed changes to transit service within the city of Phoenix set to occur on July 26, 2010.

The proposed changes may impact fixed-route bus service, para-transit service, and light rail service by a reduction in operating hours and frequency of service and elimination of bus routes. Information about the city budget and hearing dates, times and locations, is available at www.phoenix.gov/budget

Public comment is encouraged. You may fill out a comment form at www.phoenix.gov/publictransit/svtransit.html.

Letters can be sent to the Public Transit Department: “July 2010 Transit Service Changes,” City of Phoenix Public Transit Department, 302 N First Ave., Suite 900, Phoenix, AZ 85003, or you can email comments to PubTrans@Phoenix.gov until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday February 24, 2010. This information can be provided in an alternate format upon request. For reasonable accommodations please call Don Phillips as early as possible to coordinate needed arrangements.

Source: Metro Light Rail

METRO first-year milestones

METRO light rail provided service to more than 11.3 million riders in 2009. Ridership has far exceeded first-year projections by 34 percent on weekdays, 33 percent on Saturdays and 61 percent on Sundays and holidays.

Other notable figures achieved in 2009:

The highest daily ridership occurred Dec. 31 with 53,216 riders.

The highest monthly ridership occurred in October with 1,124,924 riders.

The busiest station by boardings was Sycamore/Main in Mesa followed by Montebello/19th Ave., University Dr./Rural, Central Station and Roosevelt/Central Ave.

METRO served more than 400 major events along its line.

One-thousand daily passengers used the METRO-PHX Airport Shuttle for access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Other notable highlights:

Feb. 2009:
METRO installs first advertising wraps on four light rail vehicles in promotion of the NBA All-Star event.

May 2009:
METRO provides service for ASU’s spring commencement featuring President Barack Obama.

June 2009:
METRO Board of Directors approves the Central Mesa light rail extension that will connect the current system to downtown Mesa.

July 2009:
METRO initiates late-night service until past 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Aug. 2009:
METRO develops an Adopt-A-Station program to better connect and serve its community. More than 60 interested parties apply to the program.

Sept. 2009:
METRO receives the top honor at Valley Forward’s 29th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards.

Oct. 2009:
METRO launches an innovative ticket partnership with US Airways Center where your event ticket serves as your light rail pass.

Oct. 2009:
METRO enters into an agreement with CBS Outdoor to administer the METRO advertising program at stations and on trains.

Dec. 2009:
METRO hires new CEO, Stephen R. Banta, who started on Jan. 20, 2010. Rick Simonetta leaves the post after six years as CEO.

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. Ridership exceeds projections by 34 percent on weekdays and fairs as well or better on Saturdays and Sundays. METRO will continue to refine its 20-mile operation, while also planning for 37 miles of future extensions.

Source: Metro Light Rail

METRO service impact on Jan. 17 due to P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

In accommodation of the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and ½ Marathon on Sunday, Jan. 17, METRO light rail will not provide morning service to stations north of McDowell Rd. The following stations will be without service until approximately 10 a.m., or until the race has cleared:

· Montebello/19th Avenue

· 19th Avenue/Camelback Road

· 7th Avenue/Camelback Road

· Central Avenue/Camelback

· Campbell/Central Avenue

· Indian School/Central Avenue

· Osborn/Central Avenue

· Thomas/Central Avenue

· Encanto/Central Avenue

METRO will provide service to the rest of the line – McDowell/Central Avenue through Main/Sycamore – beginning at 5 a.m. METRO will offer 12-15 minute service before and during the race when traditional Sunday frequency is every 20 minutes. Additional trains will be deployed based on the demand at the race finish area in Tempe. The entire line will re-open once police have indicated the marathon has cleared and it is safe to proceed, approximately 10 a.m.

There are also significant bus detours as a result of this event. Select routes in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe will be impacted. All transit riders are strongly advised to consult http://www.valleymetro.org/ or call customer service at (602) 253-5000 for route detour updates and give themselves extra time to reach their destination.

As with all special events that occur along the line, METRO encourages the purchase of an all-day pass when first boarding for round trip service. An all-day or more pass eliminates the need to wait in line to buy another single ride fare when leaving the special event. Single ride fares should only be used when traveling one way. All pass types can be purchased at fare vending machines located at each station. They accept cash, credit, debit and change.

For more information, visit the “Need to Know” section of www.metrolightrail.org.

Source: Metro Light Rail