September 4, 2008

In the News:
ASU students to face fines for light-rail violations, The Arizona Republic, August 29, 2008
Disabled using more transit help from Mesa, Tribune, August 29, 2008
Now the path to Cheuvront’s is clear, The Arizona Republic, August 30, 2008

Don’t forget to visit Friends of Transit on the web at www.friendsoftransit.org!

 

ASU students to face fines for light-rail violations
by Dianna M. Náñez 
Aug. 29, 2008 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

Tempe police, ticket books in hand, are warning thousands of Arizona State University students who returned to campus this week that they now share the streets with 102,000-pound light-rail trains.

For now, those trains are making only periodic appearances near University Drive and other major arteries where students cross daily. But light-rail testing is steadily increasing as the Valley's newest mass-transit system prepares for its Dec. 27 launch.

To ready the ASU population for the bustle of trains that will travel through campus at up to 35 mph, Tempe police and ASU are launching light-rail safety campaigns.

Roger Austin, a Tempe police light-rail liaison, said the goal is to ensure the public knows there are ordinances to help prevent light-rail accidents and that trains are being tested on the 20-mile track running from Phoenix through Tempe and about a mile into Mesa.

This week, students saw an increased number of police near the tracks and officers who were told to mostly offer verbal warnings to people using the tracks as a path, not using crosswalks to cross the tracks or ignoring traffic signals.

"We want to get people used to the trains now," he said.

Next week, people not following the rules could face $50 tickets for civil violations. Austin said the tickets would target excessive violators such as a skateboarder who will not get off the tracks. However, he said the tracks are private property and police have the authority to charge people with criminal trespassing.

Despite the $50 fines, several students said they support enforcement but are concerned that many people are unaware of the ordinances.

Nick Orman, 20, said he backs the police effort because his hometown of Houston had several light-rail accidents. But Orman and Dan Grimm, a 19-year-old Phoenix economics major, said they had no idea testing had started. Grimm said he uses the track along Veterans Way near Wells Fargo Arena as a shortcut to the parking lot.

"Yeah, I've never seen a train on it and I see all kinds of people using it," he said. "It's easier than walking all the way around to a crosswalk."

Grimm would like to see signs posted at major Tempe crosswalks near the light-rail tracks to warn people about the trains and tickets; Orman wants the verbal-warning period extended.

Monique Tate, 19, Cynthia Jingles, 19, and Allen Hunter, 20, were leaving campus Monday and said they think light rail needs a catchy safety slogan, like the seat-belt Click It or Ticket campaign. Jingles said she worries the tracks are not clearly marked. She suggested bordering tracks with small fences or railings.

Diana Bejarano, an ASU spokeswoman for University Student Initiatives, said ASU is working with public-safety officials and Metro light rail, the public corporation managing the transit system, to promote light-rail awareness. Included in the safety campaign are e-mails to students and staff, links on ASU's Web site to safety tips and notices in the mail to people with ASU parking passes. Students in dorms are attending mandatory light-rail safety meetings, and brochures and banners will be posted on campus.

"Our primary message is to reinforce that the light rail is quiet, and they should look for bells and for flashing train signals," she said.

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Disabled using more transit help from Mesa
Coupons for Cabs, Dial-a-Ride are subsidized by city
By BETH LUCAS 
TRIBUNE 
August 29, 2008

Mesa has seen a 136 percent increase in residents taking advantage of a program that helps pay cab fare for disabled passengers. 

The city subsidizes 75 percent of the costs of the Coupons for Cabs program. 

Trips more than doubled from a total of 6,906 in fiscal year 2007 to 16,122 in fiscal year 2008, which ended in June. 

Use of Dial-a-Ride, however, has stayed stable and continues to be far more used. In fiscal 2008, Mesa gave 112,866 rides as part of the program. Dial-a-Ride provides bus transportation for disabled people who need to get to the doctor, the store or other places. 

Mike James, Mesa’s deputy director of transportation, said the city saves money when residents use the cab program, instead of Dial-a-Ride, although those who use wheelchairs typically can’t use the cab program. 

He said he expects use of cabs to continue to grow, since passengers can get to their destination more quickly when they’re the only passengers. 

“We’re anticipating adding a lot more trips in there,” James said. He said the city has improved promotions on the cab program and transferred operations to Veolia Transportation. 

It costs riders $2.50 for $10 worth of cab fare as part of the Coupons for Cabs. The total cost of every cab ride is $7.82 and the city pays the rest. 

Dial-a-Ride costs passengers $2, but total ride costs are $34 per passenger. 

The City Council voted to spend $350,000 toward a program called RideChoice, which provides alternative modes of transportation for the disabled, including Coupons for Cabs and a mileage reimbursement program that pays back volunteer drivers. The program is operated with Valley Metro, which also operates local buses and the coming light rail. 

The council also voted to approve its annual agreement with Valley Metro to operate the seven-days-a-week Dial-ARide. The program this year will cost the city $1.5 million, about $500,000 more than last fiscal year due to contract renegotiations.

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Now the path to Cheuvront's is clear
by David M. Brown 
Aug. 30, 2008 07:00 AM
Special for The Repubic

The light-rail tracks along Central Avenue are in place, parking lot obstructions are gone and the $1.6 billion system is just months away from ferrying people from Phoenix through Tempe and into Mesa. Fortunately, getting into wonderful locations such as Cheuvront Wine & Cheese Bar is no longer a bumper-car challenge. A light-rail station is less than a 100 yards north of this always-satisfying restaurant, just across from the Phoenix Central Library.

Owner Ken Cheuvront, who represents District 15 in the state Senate, has succeeded during his restaurant's first five years because he and his staff have skillfully blended a menu of artisanal cheeses, select wines and beers and distinctive and flavorful food - currently created by the executive chef, Scottsdale Culinary Institute graduate Natascha Pfurtscheller.

On a recent visit, we chose a variety of appetizers and entrées, all wine paired by Natascha.

Under the "Beginnings" rubric, I started with the popular Salad Caprese ($9), with homemade Mozaraella, fresh basil and tomato slices from produce grown by One Windmill Farm in Queen Creek. She paired this with a clean Louis Jadot 2006 Chardonnay ($10.50/glass), just oaky but not too much for the light dish.

Next were the light Ancho Pork Empanadas ($8.50), with an orange marmalade. Natascha slow roasts the pork and adds Cotilla cheese to the light puff pastry. The result is a well-balanced starter, in which none of the elements overpower. This paired well with a 2007 Hermanos Lurton Rueda ($7.50) from Spain.

Salads are popular here with luncheoners from downtown and midtown and light-minded diners. I tried the Beef Tenderloin and Blue Cheese ($15). A brilliant combination of tastes and textures, this new item combines the lightness of the delicate Blue Leaf lettuce from California with thin-sliced pan-seared beef, caramelized onions and homemade blue cheese. A 2006 Byron Pinot Noir ($14.50) from Santa Maria, Calif., paired well, with enough fruit and body to stand up to the meat and the salad.

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