More park & rides set
Transportation officials hoping better bus service, attractive facilities fuel shift toward mass transit
Mike Walbert
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 13, 2005 12:00 AM

Sprawling slabs of asphalt with well-placed shade and increased security are poised to make a dent in a Valley commuter culture that overwhelmingly travels solo.

An estimated $49 million of Proposition 400 revenues will fund construction of 13 regional park-and-ride lots over the next two decades in a series of projects that transportation officials hope will spark increased interest in the Valley's mass transit system, especially during rush hour.

The new lots will join more than 40 other park-and-rides spread throughout Maricopa County. Each will bring 250 to 300 parking spaces, new RAPID bus service and a variety of amenities, including covered parking, on-site security, ticket offices and bus shelters.

Success of regional park-and-ride lots hinges on branching RAPID bus service out to areas outside Phoenix. That effort also will be funded through Proposition 400, the half-cent transportation sales tax county voters approved last fall.

"We've made every effort to ensure that a park-and-ride is not built before the RAPID transit system," said Stuart Boggs, transit planning manager for Valley Metro/Regional Public Transportation Authority.

RAPID and Express buses run to and from downtown Phoenix, skirting freeway congestion via carpool lanes. RAPID buses collect passengers at the park-and-ride and then move non-stop to downtown Phoenix; Express buses make several stops before reaching the freeway.

Park-and-ride lots act as the launching pad for commuters who'd rather ride the bus or carpool than shell out for gas and hefty parking fees, battle thick rush-hour gridlock or contribute to pollution.

When they're effective, park-and-rides function like the 40th Street and Pecos Road lot in Ahwatukee Foothills, a facility often viewed as the model marriage between large, safe parking lots and fast bus service.

"It's a lot more relaxing than driving through rush-hour traffic," said Raul Escoto, 46, of Chandler, as he waited for the 7:25 a.m. RAPID bus last week. "It's just a lot less stressful."

Regional transportation planners are expected to meet in the next few months to begin hammering out specific locations, land availability and timetables for the park-and-rides. Federal and local funds will also pay for the projects, some of which are scheduled to break ground around 2008.

The regional park-and-rides will represent a departure from the shared-use lot concept previously developed by Valley Metro and its member cities.

Shared-use lots typically house 20 to 40 parking spaces and are privately owned, while regional park-and-rides will be publicly owned facilities and more than 10 times bigger.

An effective park-and-ride lot generally offers express bus service at least every 15 minutes during peak travel times, has high visibility and is within one mile of a free- way.

"Meet us here, we'll take you there," said Marie Chapple, spokeswoman for the Phoenix Public Transit Department, which oversees the 40th Street and Pecos Road lot. "People go to Sky Harbor (International Airport) to take that flight to the general destination they want to go."

Valley commuters are slowly taking to alternative transportation, but still have a long way to go.

A 2004 study commissioned by Valley Metro, the Maricopa Association of Governments and Maricopa County revealed 45 percent of workers used alternate transportation to commute to work at least one day a week, up from 37 percent in 2003.

However, the same study reported 91 percent of work commuters drove alone at least once a week.

"You do not have a lot of people carpooling (to downtown Phoenix)," said Boggs. "Probably the vast majority of people who were not on that (RAPID) bus and were driving, they'd be driving themselves."

The 40th Street and Pecos Road park-and-ride lot serves as the blueprint for park-and-ride success. With more than 500 parking spaces spread over 10 acres, the lot gives Ahwatukee Foothills riders a peek into what the future may hold for the Valley's mass transit system.

RAPID buses begin leaving for Interstate 10 at 5:10 a.m., with subsequent buses arriving every 10 to 15 minutes. The buses, which have 41 seats, often fill up during morning and afternoon runs, forcing passengers to stand.

The number of vehicles parked at the lot is up more than 10 percent since September, according to Phoenix Public Transit Department numbers. It's become so popular since its July 2003 opening, Chapple said, that people drive from Casa Grande, then leave their vehicles at the facility to finish their commute.

"Usually, we're hitting around 450 to 485 (count) with the cars," said Robert Hartle, the lot's security guard.

A quicker, less-strenuous commute captured Chandler resident Escoto's attention nearly two years ago and he's rode RAPID ever since. Riding the bus has shaved about 10 minutes off his trip to downtown Phoenix and allows him to read a novel or newspaper in peace.

Several employers, including the state and county, have subsidized RAPID bus fares for employees, also a major factor in getting people to use the service, Boggs said.

Cities and transportation authorities have already begun spicing up park-and-ride lots with attractive architecture and amenities, breaking away from bland asphalt lots that offer little shade and less security.

Gilbert unveiled last month its new park-and-ride off Gilbert Road, two miles south of U.S. 60. The L-shaped lot features shade trees, carports, 250 parking spaces and architecture reminiscent of the town's old railroad depot.

Chandler recently announced plans to open a 400-space park-and-ride lot near Germann and McQueen roads with covered parking, bike lockers and on-site security in 2008.