Subject: Forum to Provide Information on West Valley Transit Date: Monday, October 16, 2006 6:17 PM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Eddie Caine Maricopa County Special Transportation Services (602) 506-2513 Or Dan Lundberg City of Surprise Community Initiatives Director (623) 583-0653 Forum to Provide Information on West Valley Transit AVONDALE (October 16, 2006) -- Recent survey results show that while most West Valley residents cite transportation as a main concern, many are unaware of the types of public transit services available to them. To help provide information about West Valley transit options, the West Valley Human Services Alliance is hosting a symposium to answer questions and stimulate dialogue about transit solutions in the West Valley. The Transit Symposium will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2006 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at the Avondale City Hall, located at 11465 West Civic Center Drive, Avondale. The West Valley Human Services Alliance is a group of West Valley cities and towns, nonprofit agencies, businesses, and faith-based organizations interested in improving the quality of life in the West Valley. "In a community hearing conducted by the Maricopa Association of Governments, West Valley residents expressed a need for more information about bus routes and paratransit options such as Dial-a-Ride," said West Valley Human Services Alliance Chair Betty Lynch, who is also an Avondale City Councilmember. "This program will bring together transportation planners and providers to offer information about both current and planned transit activities," Lynch said. The event will feature presentations from elected officials, including Councilmember Lynch, Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez-Rogers and Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox. Anna Maria Chavez will represent the Governor's Office. Representatives from transportation agencies such as the Maricopa Association of Governments, Arizona Department of Transportation and Maricopa County Special Transportation Services will be on hand to answer questions from attendees. Representatives from the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the City of Glendale and the City of Phoenix will offer information about programs that utilize transportation services. This event is supported by Friends of Transit and Arizona Public Service. The symposium will feature a directory of transit services and information tables from various agencies that provide transit programs and planning. For more information about the event, please contact Eddie Caine at Maricopa County Special Transportation Services at (602) 506-2513. To RSVP for the event, please contact Paige Garrett at Quality of Life Community Services, Inc. at (623) 937-9034. # # # Susan Tierney Public Information Officer Valley Metro smartmove 302 N. 1st Ave. Ste. 700 Phoenix, AZ 85003 www.ValleyMetro.org 602-262-4668 (office) 602-292-4093 (mobile) 602-495-0411 (fax) Drive Less. Live More.