From: "FRIENDS OF TRANSIT NEWS" To: "Friends of Transit" Subject: TRANSIT NEWS RELEASE FROM SURPRISE Date: Thursday, August 09, 2001 11:47 PM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: DAN LUNDBERG, COMMUNITY INITIATIVES DIRECTOR, (623) 583-0653 DOUG SANDSTROM, BUDGET MANAGER, (623) 875-4256 DAVE REUTER, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, (623) 875-4282 SURPRISE PLANS OPEN HOUSE ON TRANSIT PLAN SURPRISE, AZ (July 26, 2001) --- The City of Surprise will host a Transit Open House from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2001, at the West Valley Art Museum. The West Valley Art Museum is located at 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts, Surprise. The open house will feature a presentation on the Surprise Long-Range Transit Plan followed by a roundtable discussion of regional transit issues with representatives from neighboring cities, Maricopa County and the Regional Public Transportation Authority. Residents and officials from neighboring cities are invited to participate in the discussions on sustaining transit services in the Northwest Valley. Of particular concern is the scheduled retirement of regional transit funding that Surprise and other cities rely on to maintain their Dial-A-Ride services. The open house is the last opportunity for the public to comment on the Draft Long Range Transit Plan before Surprise City Council makes its final decision on the plan later in the fall. The museum will open at 5 p.m. with displays from neighboring cities on their transit plans for people who would like to come early. Light refreshments will be served. Special transportation services to the meeting will be offered by Surprise Dial-A-Ride at no charge to Surprise residents. Call (623) 583-1688 to schedule a Dial-A-Ride pickup for the open house. http://www.friendsoftransit.org