Vol. VIII, Issue 1 Winter 2005

Destinations is the official newsletter of Ken Driggs to Retire as RPTA’s Executive Director

fter a long and distin- transportation plan will bring with guished career serving the passage of Proposition 400 Athe public in trans- last November. portation administration, Ken Of the top accomplishments dur- Driggs has announced his retire- ing his tenure, Driggs said he is ment. Driggs joined the Regional proud of being able to help restore Public Transportation Authority stability to the agency after the loss (RPTA) as chief financial officer in in the 1989 regional transit sales tax December 1986 after serving 18 election and to help develop a years on the staff of the Maricopa revised regional transportation plan. Association of Governments. In He is pleased that he was able to hire 1988, he was promoted to deputy and retain quality staff members. executive director and became And most of all, he is proud of the executive director the following work that was done to establish solid year. He will leave his post after a working relationships with the Mari- new executive director is hired in copa Association of Governments, early 2005. the Department of Transpor- Driggs laid the foundation tation, local governments, and private for his life in public service at sector leaders, which helped make “It’s been a great experience to see the growth of Brigham Young University, where transit. All those years we didn’t have what we have possible the landmark regional trans- he received a master’s degree in now, or will in the future. It’s been worth the wait.” portation plan recently approved by public administration. “I have —Ken Driggs the citizens of Maricopa County. found serving in a public capacity Knowing all that he knows now rewarding, in terms of seeing ideas about the politics of public trans- and plans implemented from input “With limited funding, Ken kept portation, would he change any- that the community, business lead- RPTA moving forward as he waited thing? “I’d be less naïve in thinking ers, and city officials have given,” for the day the region would recognize that if the public approved the free- said Driggs. ways in 1985, then elevated rail the importance of multi-modal transit. The biggest changes he’s wit- wouldn’t be too far behind,” said nessed in the past 18 years have The successful passage of Prop 400 Driggs, in reference to the failed included the build-out of an initial indicated that recognition had come, Valtrans election of 1989. “We freeway system, expansion of the should also have figured out a better and the nearly $100 million a year multi-city bus and dial-a-ride sys- transportation plan in 1994 that tem, and transit sales tax victories it will now infuse into Valley transit would have been approved by the for Glendale, Phoenix, and Tempe. will build a substantial legacy.” voters, and as a result, we’d be And, of course, he looks forward —Mayor Keno Hawker, 10 years ahead of where we are to the progress that the first com- City of Mesa right now.” prehensive, multi-modal regional Ð See Ken Driggs, page 2 Ð Ken Driggs, continued from page 1 Valley Metro is a Yet, throughout the past 18 years, Driggs I know everyone at MAG wishes political subdivision took care to listen and watch in order to serve “Ken the best in his retirement. Ken was of the state of Arizona the public’s best interests when it came to at MAG when it began and was a key overseen by a 12- public transportation. “The best professional staff member in the development of the advice I was ever given was to always listen member board of transportation plan that led to the 1985 to the elected officials because they are closer local elected officials. sales tax vote for the regional freeway to understanding what the public wants,” It was created by system. Even though Ken moved on to Driggs said. voters in 1985 the RPTA, he always had kind words The best advice he believes he could give with the passage for MAG. his successor is to be willing to work through of Proposition 300. the difficult periods—especially when it comes In retrospect, Ken has always been a For the hearing to setting priorities in getting work accom- person who everyone liked, no matter plished. He added that it’s important to stay how difficult the regional decision and speech impaired, focused on solving problems because the end was that needed to be made. We transit, rideshare, result will be worthwhile. could all learn something from his and ADA information After he leaves Valley Metro/RPTA, Ken is essential goodness. is available on looking forward to spending more time with ” TTY by calling his family, especially his 12 grandchildren. In —Dennis Smith, Executive Director, Maricopa Association of Governments (602) 495-0936. the near future, he and his wife Kerry also plan to serve a mission for their church.

Voters Approve Regional Transportation Plan he passage last November of the Regional Following is a short list of the transit Transportation Plan, or Proposition 400, improvements county residents can expect has ushered in a new era in public trans- T with the passage of Proposition 400: portation in Maricopa County. The continuation of the countywide half-cent sales tax will provide ❍ 2,433 new fixed-route buses funding for freeways, streets, bus transit, rural tran- ❍ 36 new buses for rural transit sit, Dial-a-Ride, and . Consequently, the ❍ 1,000 new Dial-a-Ride vehicles plan will play a key role in accommodating antici- ❍ 1,404 new vanpool vehicles pated growth in the region over the next 20 years ❍ by increasing transportation options for county res- 13 new regional park-and-ride lots idents and visitors, as well as improving the move- ❍ Freeway and arterial street bus rapid ment of goods and services within the region. transit routes Combined with projected federal matching ❍ New supergrid bus service funds, the tax will provide $5 billion for transit ❍ 13 new transit passenger facilities improvements over the next 20 years. It will sup- ❍ Additional express service port the creation of an integrated “supergrid” bus ❍ New rural routes and Dial-a-Ride network that offers consistent ❍ 27 additional miles of light rail service levels across the region; an expanded Express bus and network that addresses both suburb-to-central-city passenger and operations facilities. The and suburb-to-suburb commute trips; service upgrades and expansions will be expansion of light rail transit; and associ- implemented in four phases. ated capital investments, including new For more information about the buses and Intelligent Transportation Regional Transportation Plan, visit System improvements, as well as www.mag.maricopa.gov.

~ 2 ~ RAPID Recognized for Glendale Bike Program Environmental Excellence Receives Golden Spoke Award

APID, the city of Phoenix bus rapid transit serv- he city of Glendale recently received the ice, was honored for its contribution to the envi- Golden Spoke award at Valley Metro’s Rronment at Valley Forward Association’s 35th T annual Clean Air Campaign Awards annual Environmental Excellence Awards banquet last fall. luncheon. The award, given to an employer, public The city’s Public Transit Department received a first-place agency, group, or individual that has implemented Crescordia award for the service, which was nominated in an outstanding bicycle program encouraging com- the Livable CommunitiesÐPublic Policy/Plans category. muters to bicycle as an alternative mode of trans- RAPID is a 61-mile commuter bus system that began portation, was given in recognition of the city’s service in July 2003 and features 56 new buses, seven park- Bike Box program. and-rides, and 32 stations. It offers commuters streamlined The Bike Box program is a bicycle safety edu- travel routes only available to buses on HOV lanes, with cation initiative that specifically addresses traffic point-to-point service to the downtown area. Since the injury prevention and defensive driving tech- system’s inception, ridership on commuter service has niques. The program focuses on reducing bicycle increased 32 percent, demonstrating that RAPID is a crashes and related injuries to children, who are at practical and popular alternative to the automobile. the highest risk for involvement in bicycle-motor Valley Forward is a non-profit, public interest organiza- vehicle collisions. tion that brings business and civic leaders together to Bike Boxes were provided free of charge to 48 improve the environment and livability of Valley communi- K-8 schools (public, private, and charter); to pub- ties. Its Environmental Excellence Awards program is the lic libraries; and to the police and fire depart- oldest of its kind in Arizona. ments. The boxes contained a bicycle safety train- For information about RAPID, visit www.ValleyMetro.org ing manual and two safety videos, as well as other or call (602) 253-5000; for TTY service, (602) 261-8208. materials needed to teach the curriculum devel- oped for the program. In addition, a professional bicycle educator from Phoenix Children’s Hospital provided in-service training for fourth and fifth grade teachers and other interested staff. The program was developed by the city of Glendale’s Transportation Department, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and BikeStar International and was funded through the Arizona Department of Transportation and a Federal Transportation Enhancement Grant. Ed Zuercher Transitions to Phoenix Mayor’s Office

ired to lead the city of Phoenix Public Transit Transit Department was named by Department into the new millennium with the Metro Magazine in 2003 as one Hpassage of Transit 2000, Ed Zuercher is now of the 10 most improved transit taking on new challenges in his role as senior deputy chief systems in the . of staff to Mayor Phil Gordon. Beginning January 2005, During his time as director of the Public Transit Depart- Zuercher has been acting as the ment, Zuercher was instrumental in spearheading the transit liaison between the mayor’s office, changes mandated by the public with the passage of Transit city management, and city council, Ed Zuercher 2000. The highlights of his tenure include the revitalization as well as supervising the administrative functions of Copper Square DASH service in and of the department. Until a new one is appointed, the implementation of RAPID service in four new corridors Debbie Cotton will continue to act as the director throughout the city. Under his leadership, the Phoenix Public of Phoenix’s Public Transit department.

~ 3 ~ In-Street Rail Track Construction Set to Begin in February

onstruction on the first in-street section of the METRO light rail system is scheduled to begin February 2005. This C section, identified as Line Section 4, stretches 5.4 miles along Washington Street from 26th Street to the north side of Tempe An artist’s rendering of the light rail bridge Town Lake. that will span . The first construction activity will be to lay nearly two miles of track along Washington, which will serve as the test track for vehicles when they begin arriving April 2006. The area is adjacent to the Join the Excitement METRO Light Rail Maintenance and Storage Facility (southeast of Washington and 48th streets), where construction has already begun at the METRO and where vehicles will be stored. Line Section 4 runs through the cities of Phoenix and Tempe and Groundbreaking includes three stations: on Washington at 38th and 44th streets and Priest Drive. The 44th Street station will be linked to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s future “people mover” system. The 38th alley Metro Rail is gearing Street station is adjacent to GateWay Community College and will up for one of METRO’s include a 189-space park-and-ride lot. Vmost exciting events— Construction on Line Section 4 is scheduled to be completed at the the official groundbreaking for the end of 2007. Construction of the other four line sections along the Valley’s first light rail line. The event route is scheduled to begin throughout 2005. Line Section 3, which is slated for February 15 at Tempe includes downtown Phoenix and extends as far north as Central Avenue Beach Park. and McDowell Road, is the next section scheduled for construction, The highlight of the groundbreaking beginning in the second quarter of 2005. Construction will be phased ceremony will be the lighting of a within each line section, so that typically only a mile section (or less) 30-foot replica of the future light rail will be under construction within each section at any given time. bridge spanning Tempe Town Lake. A community construction-kickoff meeting will be held for residents The replica features a state-of-the art and business owners in Line Section 4 just prior to the start of con- lighting system that will illuminate struction. For more information about the meeting, contact Gary the bridge with a wide spectrum of Flunoy, Line Section 4 area coordinator, at (602) 322-4457. colors and patterns, which can be For a complete construction schedule and fact sheet, visit programmed for various effects. www.ValleyMetro.org/rail and click on the construction icon. To further commemorate this landmark event, a time capsule containing items submitted by each Workers install track of the projects’ participating cities on 's will be placed at a site along the Main Street. METRO system. The capsule will be buried track construction for 20 yearsÐone year for each of is slated to begin the system's initial 20 miles. in February. Please visit www.ValleyMetro.org/rail for the latest information.

~ 4 ~ he managing architect for on Disability Issues and the city the Valley’s light rail sys- Staff Honored of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Ttem has been honored for Department. her work in making the future sys- for Leadership “It has been a privilege to work tem accessible for persons with dis- with the cities and the members of abilities. ’s manag- our Accessibility Taskforce to create er of architecture and urban design, on Light Rail a design that universally addresses Betsy Moll, received a special award people of all ages and abilities,” said for outstanding service from the city Moll. “This award highlights the of Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Accessibility great partnerships that can happen Disability Issues for her leadership when we all work together toward in accessible design and her inclu- the best possible solutions.” sion of the disabled community in Accessibility features on the the design-planning process. METRO system include four wheel- Moll created Valley Metro Rail’s chair areas in each light rail vehicle, Accessibility Advisory Committee, vehicle entries the same height as composed of disabled citizens and station platforms to ease boarding by accessibility advocates, to provide eliminating stairs and wheelchair suggestions on light rail station and lifts, gradual entry ramps to the sta- vehicle design to make them user- tion platforms, Braille on ticket friendly for people of all abilities. vending machines, and electronic The award was presented at the message boards and audible An example of an accessible vehicle in annual Ability Counts luncheon, Portland, Oreg. announcements at station platforms hosted by the Mayor’s Commission and inside trains. East Valley Service in Final Transition Phase

he changeover of transit service in the East rate the additional buses into existing service. The possibil- Valley to MV Transportation is nearly complete. ities include running two buses at the same time, one right T MV Transportation, which was awarded the after the other, or operating additional trips five to 15 Valley Metro East Valley transit service contract this past minutes apart. summer, has completed two of three transition phases. RPTA planning staff will solicit input from passengers The first phase occurred in August and included the on the proposed changes through a combination of pas- move of all services previously managed by ATC- senger notices, public meetings, targeted announcements Mesa—Routes 30, 96, 104, 120, 128, and 136, and to trip coordinators through Valley Metro’s Rideshare Express Routes 531, 532, and 533—to MV Transpor- department, and one-on-one meetings with express riders. tation. During the second phase of the transition, which The RPTA will also ensure that MV staff receive the train- took place in January, MV assumed the operation of East ing, assistance, and information they need to make the Valley Dial-a-Ride service. transition as smooth as possible. The third phase of the conversion will take place April 10, when most of the services operated by ATC- RPTA—Routes 61, 72, 81, 112, and 156—will move to the East Valley facility, along with Chandler Express Routes 540 and 541 from ATC-Phoenix. In addition, the articulated buses currently assigned to Routes 540 and 541 will serve heavy use local routes in Phoenix. This will require MV to replace each articulated bus with two 40-foot buses. The city of Chandler transit staff and the The city of Mesa transit facility (3320 N. Greenfield Road) is the RPTA are in the process of discussing ways to incorpo- center of operations for East Valley bus service.

~ 5 ~ METRO Discount Card, Directory Available Soon January 2005 Bus Book alley residents will soon be available at those businesses, at able to enjoy discounts at METRO kiosk locations, and at ick up your Vstores, restaurants, and www.ValleyMetro.org/rail. P copy of other businesses along the future The METRO Light Rail Business the new Valley light rail line using their METRO Directory lists all 3,600 businesses Metro Bus MAX Shopping Card. The card, along the light rail route by category Book for the as well as a directory of businesses and can be used as a handy reference latest bus along the route, will be available guide for identifying and frequenting schedules and route maps, in February. The discount program area businesses. Businesses participat- effective January 24. Bus is one way Valley Metro Rail is ing in the program are also identified Books are free and available helping businesses affected by in the directory. at local transit centers, city light rail construction increase Valley Metro Rail will conduct an and county offices, and customer traffic. advertising campaign to coincide with public libraries. More than 300 businesses have the launch of the shopping card and You can also plan your trip signed up to participate in the directory prior to in-street light rail using the online Custom program. The businesses will construction in February 2005. Trip Planner at www.Valley provide a discount or special offer For more information about the Metro.org. The Planner offers when customers present the card. METRO MAX Shopping Card and a customized itinerary with Participating businesses can business directory, or other light rail options for the fastest route, customize their own business assistance fewest number of transfers, or shortest walking distance offer for customers and programs, visit www. between bus stops. change it at any time. ValleyMetro.org/rail or For more information, The shopping card— call Ruben Landa, Valley go online or call (602) along with a brochure Metro Rail’s business 253-5000; for TTY service, listing participating outreach coordinator, (602) 261-8208 businesses—will be at (602) 495-8230.

Destinations is the official newsletter Valley Metro Board of Directors Production Team of Valley Metro. It is published with Vice Mayor Pat Dennis, Peoria (Chair) Managing Editor: Susan Tierney a circulation of approximately 6,000 Councilmember Les Presmyk, Gilbert (Vice Chair) Assistant Editor: Jesse Wallis copies. We welcome your letters, Vice Mayor Peggy Bilsten, Phoenix (Treasurer) Graphic Designer: Diane Major comments, and suggestions. Councilmember Marie Lopez Rogers, Avondale Mayor Boyd Dunn, Chandler ▲ ▲ ▲ Destinations is also available on audio- Mayor Fred Waterman, El Mirage Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs, Glendale tape. If you know of anyone who might For more information, be interested in receiving Destinations Supervisor Don Stapley, Maricopa County visit our Web site at in that format, please call Valley Mayor Mary Manross, Scottsdale Mayor Joan Shafer, Surprise Metro’s Pat Dillon at (602) 534-1806. www.ValleyMetro.org. Mayor Hugh Hallman, Tempe Mayor Keno Hawker, Mesa Ken Driggs, Valley Metro/RPTA Executive Director

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