Subject: Valley Metro announces webinar for public to get more info on fare hearings Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 9:48 AM Valley Metro Requests Public Input on Potential Fare Changes Webinar on Jan. 8 Open to Public FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PHOENIX (Dec. 29, 2008) Valley Metro, the regional public transit agency, is hosting a public webinar and public hearings to receive the public’s input on proposed changes to the fare structure that guides the price of bus service (local, regional, express and RAPID), Phoenix and East Valley Paratransit Dial-a-Ride and METRO light rail services. Public hearings encourage riders and interested individuals to give input on the proposed fare changes. A final recommendation will be presented to city councils as required and the Valley Metro Board of Directors in early 2009. Comments are being accepted through January 23, 2009 in the following ways: public hearings, webinar, email, customer service phone line, and written responses mailed to Valley Metro RPTA. Details are given below. Public Webinar Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. FREE to the public and available to first 1,000 registrants Register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/232190832 Regional Transit Fare Policy Public Hearings Times for all Meetings: Open House begins at 5:30 p.m. (with the exception of the meeting on January 15) Public Hearing presentations and public input starts at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009 Avondale City Council Chambers 11465 W. Civic Center Dr. Avondale, AZ 84323 Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 Tempe Transportation Center Community Room 200 E. 5th Street Tempe, AZ 85281 Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009 Grace United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 2024 E. University Dr. Mesa, AZ 85213 Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009 Sunnyslope Community Center 802 E. Vogel Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85020 Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009 South Mountain Community College Student Union 7050 S. 24th street Phoenix, AZ 85042 Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009* Maricopa Association of Governments Suite 200, Saguaro Room 302 N. 1st Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85003 *Open house begins at 12:30 p.m. and the public hearing begins at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 , 2009 Glendale City Council Chambers 5850 W. Glendale Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301 The last fare change occurred in December 2007, which included the elimination of transfer. Current proposed fare changes are due to a decline in sales tax revenues that fund a majority of transit service in the Valley. The proposed fare changes include a fare increase of up to $1.00 on a one-ride local fare that is currently $1.25 and price increases on the all-day, 3-day, 7-day and 31-day passes. The new fares could be in effect in July 2009. Other methods to give input on the proposed fare changes: · Email comments to fares@ValleyMetro.org · Customer Service will accept comments at 602-253-5000 · Written comments can be sent to: Valley Metro RPTA Attn: Fare Program Manager 302 N. 1st Ave. Ste. 700 Phoenix, AZ 85003 To arrange disability accommodations, contact Rosalia Lopez at Valley Metro by calling 602-534-6331 or send an email to rlopez@valleymetro.org . Valley Metro/RPTA is an organization of 14 local governments that provides or funds transit services to citizens in the greater Phoenix metropolitan and surrounding areas. For more information about Valley Metro public transit services, call Transit Information at (602) 253-5000; for callers with TTY (602) 261-8208; or visit the Valley Metro website at www.ValleyMetro.org .