Subject: Symposium focuses on WV transit needs 
Date: Monday, November 06, 2006 8:25 PM

Friends,
 
In case you missed the following article...
 
David

 

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Symposium focuses on WV transit needs 

Cecilia Chan
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 4, 2006 12:00 AM 

Vilma Portugal-Chavez helps people with disabilities become economically
independent.

But since her transfer to the Avondale office of the Arizona Department
of Economic Security, the Tolleson resident is finding it hard to do her
job. 

That's because many of her clients don't drive and can't get to a job
site or a school because the transit service in the West Valley is
woefully lacking, she said. 
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"When I was in south Phoenix, it was easy to provide the service," said
Portugal-Chavez, a rehabilitation service technician. "We've been in
Avondale for a year. We can't seem to succeed."

Portugal-Chavez attended Thursday's West Valley Human Services Alliance
Transit Symposium, which focused on current transit services and future
needs for the growing West Valley. 

The alliance is a consortium of cities, non-profit groups, business
interests and county and state officials that came together to study and
develop an action plan for five life-quality initiatives, including
transportation. Representatives from Glendale, Phoenix and Valley Metro,
the regional transit provider, gave presentations at the forum.

Bryan Jungwirth, assistant to the Valley Metro executive director, said
under the Regional Transportation Plan, a three-fold increase in bus
services is planned for the next 20 years. Projects in the plan are
funded by Proposition 400, a half-cent sales tax passed in November
2004.

A potential addition to the existing transit services is commuter rail.

Kevin Wallace, transit program manager for the Maricopa Association of
Governments, said his group and the Arizona Department of Transportation
are ready to launch a commuter rail study next year.

"It's the first real, independent look at commuter rail - if it's an
option and how to proceed to make it happen in the Valley," he said.

Passenger rail is one transit option the governor is considering, said
Anna Maria Chavez, the governor's director of intergovernmental affairs,
who participated in one of two panels. 

Maricopa County District 5 Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox said if enough
passengers ride the light rail when it comes on line it could drive the
demand for commuter rail.

Jack Lunsford, Westmarc president, said that if congested freeways are
not alleviated, it would negatively affect commerce. 

"We need to make businesses understand this is an investment and not an
expense," Lunsford said.

Peoria Transit Manager Randy Roberts was not at the symposium, but the
city is part of the alliance.

In order to develop an effective transit system that would meet
residents' needs, West Valley cities need to work together, he said.