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 Friends of Transit
was incorporated on January 24, 2001 as an Arizona nonprofit
corporation. The mission of Friends of Transit is the
instruction of the public on the benefits and importance to the
Greater Phoenix community of a well-designed and accessible mass
transit system which represents a major component of a balanced
regional transportation plan.
The
concept of forming Friends of Transit originated after the Phoenix
electorate approved a .4% sales tax increase to fund a
comprehensive transit system, consisting of improved bus service
and the additional of a light rail transit component. As a
result of the successful transit elections in the Cities of
Phoenix, Arizona and Tempe, Arizona, several community leaders
identified the continuing need to educate the public about the benefits
of the voter-approved plans, given, in particular, that some
elements of the program will not be implemented for several years,
following the vote.
Closely
following the incorporation, Skip Rimsza, Mayor of the City of Phoenix, Arizona, invited more than 40 corporate and community leaders to a kick-off meeting which explained the need for such an educational organization as the City of Phoenix begins to increase service of its existing bus system, and simultaneously, begins to design, build and implement a regional light rail system.
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