www.valleymetro.maricopa.gov history withthepassing of The cityofPhoenix voters madetransit Mayor SkipRimsza Proposition 2000 City ofPhoenix . Destinations is the official newsletter of the Regional PublicDestinations istheofficialnewsletterofRegional Transportation Authority. children. siasm andhopeforabetter qualityoflifeforourselvesand,mostimportantly, our Dial-A-Ride Service to ourcongestionandairqualityproblems. With thepassingofProposition 2000,wecannowlooktoafuturewithsolutions 2020, astaggering4.5millionpeoplewillresideinsurroundingMaricopaCounty. an increaseofnearly50percentoverthecity’scurrentpopulation.Byyear Over thenext20years,populationofPhoenixwillgrowbymorethan600,000 we areallwinnersinthissuccessfulendeavor. l l l O plus extendedhours. Service doublesinthefirstyear;numberofvehiclesincreasesfrom60to100, holidays. Weekday andSaturdayservice5a.m.-midnight;6a.m.-10p.m.,Sundays Curb-to-curb servicesevendaysaweekforseniorsandpersonswithdisabilities. by thechanges,whichwilltakeplaceovercomingmonthsandyears; history withthepassingof n Tuesday, March14,2000,thecityofPhoenixvotersmadetransit Local BusService sit optionsinthecityofPhoenix: Here arejustafewofthethingsyoucanlookforwardtohavingastran- l l l l Target of15-minutepeakfrequencyand30-minuteoff-peakfrequency. 6 a.m.-10p.m.,Sundaysandholidays. additional busesinthefirstfiveyears. Routes operatingsevendaysaweekbeginninginthefirst year. fleetincreasedby150buses;allpowerednaturalgas;100 Extended servicefrom5a.m.tomidnight,Monday-Saturday;and Join withmeaswelooktothefutureofPhoenix withrenewedenthu- Light RailRapidTransit l l l l l l l l Bus RapidTransit A messagefromMayorSkipRimsza. Electrically powered. traffic. Operates mainlyatstreetlevelinitsownlane; separatefromauto By 2016additional7-10milesofrailline. By 2010-toMetroCenter. By 2006-Airport throughdowntownPhoenixtoChris-Town Mall. Uses HOV lanesonfreeways. Service every10-15minutes(averageof40tripsperdaycorridor). 3-7 p.m.). will operatefourhoursduringeachpeakperiod(5-9a.m.,and Beginning inthethirdyear,assoonequipmentisavailable,it We DidIt! Proposition 2000 Proposition . Iamexcitedandenergized Vol IIIIssueII,Spring2000

Transit 2000 Opinion Phoenix Transit Plan a Go!

s election returns were announced on March 14, it quickly became clear that a majority of Phoenix voters wanted transportation alternatives. We ve waited long enough, said Public Transit Director Neal Manske. Now is the time to move ahead-with vision. Manske credited the passage

Transit 2000 Transit A of Proposition 2000 to the work of transit staff and campaign volunteers in educating the public. The citizens of Phoenix were able to separate the myths from the facts in approving these positive improvements, he noted. for local and neighborhood service were ordered the day after the election and are expected to arrive within 18 months.

August Improvements On the Way on weekdays and Saturdays. A new neighborhood The first improvements to be seen by transit circulator mini-bus service will also be launched in passengers will be the implementation in August of Ahwatukee and Desert Foothills. Sunday and holiday service. For the first time in As new buses are delivered, weekday bus ser- almost 50 years, Phoenix will provide its citizens with vice will gradually increase in frequency to at least 15 an alternative means for traveling to church, to meet minutes during peak travel hours and 30 minutes dur- friends and family on holidays, and to go shopping on ing off-peak hours. Bus routes will also be extended Sundays. further north and south, east, and west. Saturday service will increase in August as New facilities to be constructed will include well. Five Phoenix routes will begin Saturday service the South Central Avenue Transit Center, a new from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m: Yellow Line, 12, 44, 138, LNG fueling station at the North Maintenance and 186. Facility, and two additional park-and-ride facilities. Also in August, dial-a-ride service hours will Additional passenger shelters and benches will be be extended from 5 a.m. to midnight on weekdays installed throughout the city. and from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays. In the third year of the plan, Response times for pick-ups will also improve. New service will be implemented along I-17, SR-51, I-10 dial-a-ride vehicles have been ordered and are west and south, and along Central Ave. to Baseline expected to arrive before the August improvements Rd. Limited-stop service will also begin operating on go into effect. Camelback Rd. and Bell Rd. as a demonstration In addition, a Citizens Transit Commission project. will be formed. Phoenix residents and community Work on the Central Phoenix/East Valley leaders will be appointed to the commission by the Transit (LRT) project will continue. The mayor and city council and will be responsible for project will eventually traverse a 25-mile corridor overseeing Transit 2000 improvements. connecting Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. Route and station placement will be examined and a study will What the Future Holds be undertaken to determine the project’s environ- As implementation of the Transit 2000 plan mental impact. Construction of the light rail system continues, routes will start to run later in the will begin in the third year of the plan, with evenings. Initially, service on most routes will be operation of the initial segment to commence in the extended until 10 p.m. With the hiring of additional sixth year. ¤ bus opertors, service will be extended until midnight

Overview of the Phoenix Transit Plan Improvements

2003 2001-2002 Improvements August Improvements 2000 Improvements !Most routes operate until 10 p.m. !Bus rapid transit service along !Mini-bus service in Ahwatukee I-17, SR-51, I-10 !Sunday & holiday & Desert Foothills !Limited-stop service will also service !Service extended until midnight begin operating on Camelback !Increased Saturday service on weekdays & Saturdays Rd. and Bell Rd. !Citizens Transit !Frequency to 15 minutes during !Construction of the light rail Commission formed peak travel hours & 30 minutes system begins !New dial-a-ride vehicles during off-peak hours

2 Light Rail in Phoenix & East Valley Moves Ahead Transit 2000 Transit

LRT Mock-up in Tempe

he city of Phoenix will now have light rail. Thanks to Phoenix voters who recently approved a 0.4% sales tax increase, the Central Phoenix/East Valley (CP/EV) Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will continue. TThe Central Phoenix/East Valley LRT project is examining light rail routes, stations, and environmental impacts within a 25-mile corridor connecting Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. Many factors determine whether planning projects like the CP/EV LRT Study can advance into design, construction, and operation. The most important factors are funding and public support for the project. With local support and dedi- cated funds in place, the LRT project can proceed. The LRT study is currently nearing the end of the concep- tual engineering and draft environmental impact statement (CE/DEIS) phase. The next step in the progression of this process is the preliminary engineering and final environmental impact statement (PE/FEIS) phase.

LRT Freeway Mock-up Milestones in this phase of the project will include:

l Incorporating comments on the draft environmental impact statement and developing the final environ- mental impact statement. l Examining environmental impacts from Central Ave./Indian School Rd. to Chris-Town Mall. l Developing guidelines for station design. l Completing the station area planning workshops series. l Shaping the art in transit program. l Integrating light rail into the community. LRT Central Ave Mock-up l Determining operations and maintenance facility/vehicle type. l Drawing construction plans/packaging. l Establishing fare collection policies. l Creating alignment design and aesthetics. l Finishing the traffic engineering plan.

The PE/FEIS is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2001. Construction of the starter segment will begin in 2003, For additional information about the LRT project: and light rail will begin operating in 2006. contact: Valley Connections A series of public meetings this spring will discuss the light hotline: (602) 534-1807 rail study including station elements, traffic impact email: [email protected] studies, the art in transit program, and plans for regional connectivity. ¤

3 The Truths of Transit

Myth: Transit ridership in America has declined , which accounts for since the 1950's. the highest level of transit service and use in Fact: Total transit ridership in America increased the region, transit carries over 20 percent of 20 percent between 1972 and 1995. This all peak-hour trips. (Source: Regional Public includes bus, heavy rail, light rail, commuter Transportation Authority)

Transit Facts & Myths Facts Transit rail, and demand-response users. (Source: American Public Transportation Association) Myth: Only poor people use transit; it doesn't Ridership on the ten new light rail systems attract choice riders. that have opened throughout the U.S. since Fact: Higher-income individuals do use transit. 1980 has increased by an average of 11.4 Seventeen percent of all transit riders in the percent annually since start-up. U.S. earn incomes of $50,000 or more. On (Source: American Public Transportation Association) average, 55 percent earn incomes above $15,000. (Source: 1999 American Public Transit Myth: Transit carries less than two percent of Fact Book). regional travel. Fact: Nationally, transit trips do account for Myth: Because light rail is a fixed facility it does not roughly two percent of total regional travel. offer flexibility. However, the following points should be Fact: One of the benefits of light rail is that it is a considered in relation to this statistic. fixed facility. As such, light rail offers a foun- The two percent figure represents ALL travel dation for communities to build upon. It in all metropolitan areas. It includes not only offers permanent facilities that attract devel- passenger vehicles trips, but also trips made opment, aid the community by providing by service vehicles and delivery trucks. travel opportunities, and encourage “smart Transit, however, moves people, not goods. growth” by creating land-use transportation The figure also includes through-traffic on system alliances. interstate highways and other trips in areas where no transit service is provided. Transit Land values near Dallas light rail system, service is typically limited to significantly one of the newest such systems in the U.S., developed areas. Moreover, since the two have grown 25 percent faster than compara- percent figure represents travel over a 24- ble properties that are located farther away hour period, it includes trips made at times from the system. (Source: North Texas Center for when no transit service is provided. Most Economic Development) transit agencies do not operate 24 hours a day. (Source: Regional Public Transportation Myth: It costs more to operate a light rail system Authority) than a bus system. In Phoenix, along those corridors where the Fact: For light rail systems in the U.S., the level of transit service is of a high enough average total operating cost per passenger quality to attract riders, transit plays a major mile is $ .46. The operating cost per passen- role in the effort to provide adequate mobili- ger mile for bus systems is $.54. (Source: 1997 ty for urban dwellers. For example, along the Federal Transit Administration Database) ¤

Our Peers In Transit

alt Lake City opened the newest light rail system in North America late last Syear. The 15-mile system began revenue service on December 6, 1999. The project came in under budget and ahead of schedule. The total cost of the system was $312 million, of which $241 million was federally funded. Ridership on the new light rail system has far exceeded expectations. Salt Lake City had projected that the system Across the Country would attract 14,000 passengers per day by the end of its first year in operation. Only two months after the system opened, ridership had already reached 20,000 passengers per day. On days with special events, ridership has been as high as 25,000 passengers per day. ¤ New light rail system in Salt Lake City.

4 Telework:

A virtual reality Research Telework for the Valley

The drive to develop more tele- work programs in the Valley has begun. RPTA will launch the Valley Telework Project in an effort to get more companies Telework Trend Keeps serious about implementing new programs or strengthening exist- ing ones. Telework, also known More Workers At Home as telecommuting, is considered a practical and effective man- According to Jack Nilles, the father of telecommut- agement tool for today's fast- ing, about 48 percent of today’s workers could be paced and competitive business environment. Most businesses telecommuting at least part of the time, but only 10 conduct day-to-day activities via percent are doing so. the internet or E-mail because it saves time and money thereby In the Phoenix area, more than Not only can offering teleworking allowing employees to be more 62,000 residents work from at a company enhance retention, efficient and productive. That's home at least one day a week. it can also broaden that tight what remote work is all about. This is up from 19,000 in 1993. labor market and give organiza- Utilizing today’s improved tech- tions an attractive edge over the nology has certainly enhanced competition. Employers felt that Watch for Local the opportunity to avoid the the strongest positive impact of Telework Ad Campaign commute to the telecommuting was the ability to One part of the special outreach office every accommodate their employees’ and marketing campaign fea- day. Sixty- personal needs. Positive results tures local print and radio adver- three percent of productivity and morale were tising and special mailings hop- of employed next on the list. ing to get the attention of CEOs, households as well as commuters. The ads in this area On the other hand, focus on the benefits of telework have pesonal computers and the biggest for both the employer and more than 50 percent of those hindrances employee and directs the reader have internet access. All of this to an or listener to seek more informa- is according to recent studies expanding tion about telework from the conducted by WestGroup telework RPTA. Research to determine the program is potential for advancing telework management. Free Telework Help opportunities in the Valley. The study revealed that they are for Local Organizations often disinterested in trying to Continued development of tele- Many local businesses and orga- enhance their remote work pro- work programs will occur when nizations believe telecommut- grams. Lack of trust is often a 10 to 15 companies are chosen ing, also known as teleworking, central theme of their reluc- this year to receive free consult- is an important strategy. In fact, tance. ant assistance in exchange half of Valley leaders inter- for case study information. viewed for an RPTA telecom- Knowing both the positive and Outreach will also occur through muting research report stated negative attitudes toward tele- local business and industry that it was integral to their working, the RPTA is able to organizations and chambers of organization. In these days of better direct its efforts to pro- commerce. By teaming with tight labor mote and educate about remote these groups, RPTA can better pools and work and its benefits to a com- reach the business community employees pany, its employees, and the accessing existing networks. hopping from community. ¤ one company to the next Watch for details on the Valley For more information, seeking better Telework Project throughout call RPTA Rideshare at pay and benefits, a telework 2000. If you are interested in (602) 262-RIDE (7433) strategy makes good, sound developing telework at your business sense. organization, call RPTA at (602) 262-RIDE (7433) ¤

5 COMING SOON: An Ozone Alert Sequel

ast year’s success of Governor l Then a Maintenance Plan is developed Jane Dee Hull’s Ozone Alert and the request for redesignation to Program was demonstrated with attainment status is begun. L the achievement of no ozone vio- lation days. Much of this success can be The Plan includes a 1999 emissions invento- Ozone Season attributed to the eager participation of the ry that determines future transportation 225 Valley organizations who helped reduce conformity determinations; descriptions of trips by an additional 10 percent on ozone measures taken if the one-hour standard is high pollution advisory (HPA) days. violated; and a modeling effort to show how the area will remain in attainment of the Why do we need Ozone 2000? ozone standard for a minimum of 10 years The work to free the air of ozone between after redesignation. May and September did not end last fall. In Maricopa County, we need three more How to get involved years of no ozone violations to become Last year’s virtual workshop at each of the redesignated for the attainment the of one- ASU locations was so popular that it was hour ozone standard. held again this spring. The Clean Air Campaign and Valley Metro Rideshare l The redesignation process begins with sponsored two Who Wants to Breathe ADEQ and Maricopa County developing Clean Air workshops. New ideas and moti- a SIP (State Implementation Plan) that vational materials were provided to help contains: a periodic emissions inventory; organizations with promoting alternative volatile organic compound source infor- modes on HPA days. mation; and details of our monitoring network. Wells Fargo Bank is sponsoring a kick- l The SIP goes to the public for comment off press conference for the summer then to the EPA for approval. ozone season on May 18 at The Buttes. Additional information is available by calling: !(602) 262-RIDE. ¤

The Summer 2000 Ozone Alert Camaign is funded by the Maricopa Association of Governments.

Destinations is available on audio tape and in braille. RPTA Board of Directors: If you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving Destinations in either format, please call Chairman: Mayor Wayne Brown, City Of Mesa RPTA’s Lillian Duarte at (602)534-1937. Destinations Vice Chairman: Mayor Cynthia Dunham, is the official newsletter of the Regional Public Town of Gilbert Transportation Authority (RPTA). It is Treasurer: Councilmember Pat Dennis, published with a circulation of approximately 6,000 City of Peoria copies. We welcome your letters, comments and sug- gestions. Mayor Sam Campana, City of Scottsdale Councilmember Esther Flores, City of El Mirage The RPTA is a political subdivision of Mayor Neil Giuliano, City of Tempe overseen by a ten-member board of elected officials, Councilmember Peggy Jones, City of Avondale and was created by voters in 1985 with the passage Mayor Skip Rimsza, City of Phoenix of Proposition 300. Membership is open to all Mayor Elaine Scruggs, City of Glendale municipalities in Maricopa County and to the County Supervisor Don Stapley, Maricopa County government. Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, City of Chandler

Regional The mission of RPTA is to promote the social and Managing Editor: Susan Tierney economic well-being of the community through an Story Contributors: Lillian Duarte, Angie Harvey, Public efficient and effective regional transit system as a Terry Gruver, Mark Melnychenko

Credits Transportation valued and significant component of the transporta- Graphics: Mike Smith Authority tion network. Photo Credits: Elizabeth Ellis, Laura Cherry To receive future copies of Destinations For more information visit our Web site: please write or call: www.valleymetro.maricopa.gov Regional Public Transportation Authority 302 N. First Ave., Suite 700 Phoenix, Arizona 85003 (602)262-7242

6 CitybyCity

Phoenix Tempe Area's Potential Brings Tempe Set to Launch First New Transit Center Neighborhood Circulator Route Last summer, President Clinton The city of Tempe will launch its traveled to various parts of the first neighborhood circulator country that he felt had particu- route in early August, utilizing larly strong potential for econom- state-of-the-art electric hybrid ic growth and development. One buses. The free shuttle will serve of the areas he visited was the Escalante neighborhood and South Mountain Village in provide connections between Phoenix because, according to neighborhood activity centers, Clinton spokesperson Elizabeth This custom-designed bike rack fixed-route bus stops on major Newman, it is a "prime example features an imprint of the Tempe arterial streets, downtown Tempe, High mascot. of a market with great potential." and . The president's visit has led to an “The neighborhood circulator will unexpected bonus for the South help people get to important PhoenixCity area: federal funding for Valley places within their neighborhood, a new transit center that will serve as well as helping them access South Mountain Village resi- Bike Rack Program regular bus routes on the major dents. City transit planners Keeps Students Rolling streets,” Tempe Transit Manager expect bus ridership in the area Valley Metro Rideshare is spon- Mary O’Connor said. “It’s all to increase substantially in com- soring the High School Bike Rack about community connections– ing years. The new South Central Award Program. The program connecting people with the Avenue Transit Center will offer a offers a specially designed bike Escalante Multigenerational safe and convenient transfer rack to schools that assist their Center, Thew Elementary School, point for this growing ridership. own campaigns encouraging stu- downtown Tempe, ASU, and the Most importantly, the new facility dents to ride their bikes places they want to go.” will provideby greater travel oppor- to campus. The program, which The city solicited citizen involve- tunites for those with limited seeks to reduce automobile ment in planning the route, which access to other means of trans- dependency among students will operate approximately every portation. and their parents, is open to all 15 minutes from early morning Studies were conducted to find public high schools in the Valley. until late evening seven days a the most appropriate site for the Principals at these schools have week. been sent application materials transit center, and the northwest The circulator buses are explaining the program and its corner of Broadway Rd. and equipped with quiet, clean-burn- goals. Central Ave. was ultimately ing electric hybrid engines with selected. Ground breaking for Tempe High School is the first Capstone microturbines, which the South Central Avenue Transit school to receive the custom- recharge the batteries and Center March 2001, and the cen- designed bike rack, which increase the distance and the ter is scheduled for completion features the school's logo and length of time the buses can trav- by December 2001. colors. The racks are constructed el. The exteriors of the buses will For more information, call the of heavy-gauge steel to withstand be decorated with designs City of Phoenix Public Transit both the elements and repeated reflecting the community by local Department at (602) 262-7242. ¤ use over many years. They are photographers and painters. ¤ designed to hold between 20 and

City 24 bicycles. ¤ For more information, please call Tempe In Motion at (480) 350-2739. ¤

South Central Avenue Transit Center The estimated total cost of the South Central Avenue Transit Center is $4.3 million. Funding will come from a variety of sources:

The proposed South Central l federal congressional appropriations Avenue Transit Center located l future local bond funds at Broadway and Central, will l federal highway funds service passengers using l the Federal Transit Administration Routes 0, 7, 8, 45, 52, l and other grant opportunities. and the Blue Line. Electric buses like this one will provide circulator service in the Escalante neighboorhood.

7 BIKE TO BOB Photo Log

Valley Bike Week kicks off at Park Central More than 500 riders gear The Gonzalez triplets get ready for the ride The three mile ride winds it way through Mall with Bike to BOB on Sunday, April 9 to up with a free continental by putting on bike helmets with mom Sunday on Central. promote bicycling and bike safety. breakfast provided by The Christine's help. Good Egg.

In a surrey with the fringe on How much space does it take to store 500 Four kids were chosen for the poster Alberto Gutier, Director of the Governor's top, the Gonzalez family and bikes? A lot! Bikes were secured in the presentation on the field at home plate. Office of Highway Safety, makes the official friends ride a specially-built Civic East Plaza garage until the post-game presentation of the Gonzo bike safety bike for seven! ride. poster.

In This Issue: Destinations is the official newsletter of the Regional Public Transportation Authority.

CITY BY CITY

A message from city of Phoenix Transit Plan a Go! Light Rail in Phoenix & Telework Trend Keeps City by City Phoenix Mayor-Skip Rimsza Transit improvements begin in East Valley Moves Ahead More Workers At Home Get the latest transit Phoenix mayor sends a August with buses now operat- Picture this: riding down Central Businesses have found that news around the Valley message to residents about ing on Sundays and holidays-a Avenue or from the East Valley telework is a management tool in City by City. Page 7 the exciting changes we'll soon service that is long overdue. on a light rail train leaving the that is smart and effective, see due to the passage of Also lined up: new buses on stress of your daily drive at especially when it comes to Prop. 2000. Page 1 their way and dial-a-ride steps home in the garage. Page 3 retention and recruitment of up service. Page 2 valuable employees. Page 5

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX, AZ. Regional Public Transportation Authority PERMIT NO. 302 N. First Avenue Suite 700 386 Phoenix, Arizona 85003

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