January 27, 2010

Friends,

Please plan on joining Friends of Transit for the 8^th Annual Conference on Friday, February 26.  Registration is now open online at www.friendsoftransit.org. 

After Mesa Mayor Scott Smith’s Regional Transportation Update, there will be two panel discussions:

 

Panel Discussion – Moving Forward
Now that Light Rail has been operating for more than a year and exceeding expectations, it is time to discuss other modes of  transportation needed and being planned.  This panel discussion will focus on Sky Train (currently under construction at Sky Harbor Airport), Commuter Rail studies “hot off the presses” at Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), inter-city passenger rail efforts under way by ADOT, and the possibilities being explored by the Western High Speed Rail Alliance.

Panel Discussion – Moving Beyond the Tracks
Light Rail has become more than a way to “get there” – it has become a “place to be.” This panel will explore the positive effects that light rail has had on the various arts, cultural and large sporting venues, along with small local businesses. In addition, panelists will explore the subculture that has developed along the light rail route and talk about their visions for the future. Plenty of time will be allotted for questions and answers from the audience to further engage the public and explore this growing phenomenon.

 

Stay tuned to the Weekly Update for more information on the speakers for each panel. Program information is also available on our website at www.friendsoftransit.org.

In the News:
Light rail’s first-year ridership far exceeds projections, Phoenix Business Journal, January 22, 2010
Metro’s five busiest stations, and more, The Arizona Republic, January 26, 2010
Changes begin to Tempe bus, Orbit routes, The Arizona Republic, January 26, 2010
Transportation a concern for SW Valley Chamber, The Arizona Republic, January 26, 2010

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

 

Light rail’s first-year ridership far exceeds projections
Jim Poulin
Phoenix Business Journal
Friday, January 22, 2010, 12:00pm MST 

More than 11 million riders used the Metro light rail system in 2009.

The final numbers are in: During its first year of service, the Metro light rail system carried 11.3 million people.

Metro officials say first-year ridership exceeded projections by 34 percent on weekdays, 33 percent on Saturdays, and 61 percent on Sundays and holidays. Those projections -- made during the planning phase of the project -- were based primarily on population figures.

Other notable figures for the Metro light rail in 2009:

 

• The highest daily ridership occurred Dec. 31, with 53,216 riders. That was bolstered by New Year’s celebrations across the Valley, particularly the Fiesta Bowl Block Party in Tempe.
• The highest monthly ridership occurred in October, with 1,124,924 riders.
• The busiest station by number of boardings was Sycamore/Main in Mesa, followed by Montebello/19th Avenue, University/Rural, Central Station and Roosevelt/Central.
• Roughly 1,000 daily passengers used the Metro-PHX airport shuttle for access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
  
   

Here’s a look at monthly Metro light rail ridership since service began:
January: 912,000
February: 908,000
March: 973,000
April: 1 million
May: 928,000
June: 816,000
July: 751,000
August: 882,000
September: 1.1 million
October: 1.12 million
November: 1 million
December: 952,000

back to top

Metro's five busiest stations, and more.
Sean Holstege Light Rail Blog
The Arizona Republic
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 01:53 PM

Metro closed out the year with a better-than-average month, which it ended with the busiest day in its short history.

An average of 35,536 passengers boarded on weekdays in December, a slight drop from the month before. The average for the year came in at 34,909, a 34 percent increase over the projected 26,000 average weekday boardings. Metro carried 11.3 million passengers in its first year. On New Year’s Eve Metro carried 53,216 passengers, shattering the records set on May 13 for President Obama’s visit and on Oct. 2, the first First Friday after ASU students returned to class.

Metro also released stats for the five busiest stations for the year. The top two on the list are no surprise but some others might be. Here's the list:

1. Sycamore/Main Street: 833,725

2. Montebello/19th Avenue: 783,372

3. University Drive/Rural: 532,649

4. Van Buren/Central and 1stAvenue: 487,617

5. Roosevelt/Central Avenue: 451,907

The question now is can Metro sustain those levels in its second year, amid likely budget cuts and lingering economic woes for its customers?

back to top

Changes begin to Tempe bus, Orbit routes
Jan. 26, 2010 12:26 PM
The Arizona Republic

Tempe's new bus schedule began Monday when changes occurred on 22 routes, including the Tempe Orbit circular routes.

Changes in bus service also occurred in other Valley cities, including Chandler, Scottsdale and Avondale.

The changes occurred because cities have had to reduce the cost of operating their transit systems. Transit service is funded from local and regional sales taxes. Passengers can download the new bus schedules at valleymetro.org. Transit books also are available on buses, at transit centers and city offices.

The Tempe cuts include the elimination of a Valley Metro route that provided service to Scottsdale Community College.

Orbit's weekend hours also have been reduced. Saturday morning hours of operation have been reduced by two hours. The Orbit business now start running at 8 a.m. on Saturdays.

Sunday Orbit service has been cut by five hours and now run from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The frequency of Orbit buses on Sunday have decreased from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes.

Tempe Center for the Arts patrons can enjoy easier access to the venue thanks to changes to in bus Route 48, which now operates from 5 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. weekdays and Saturdays and from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays. Service is being provided every 15 minutes during weekday rush hour and every 30 minutes at all other times.

Route 48 will be accessible from the Mill Avenue/Third Street Metro Light Rail stop.

For information on accessing other popular arts and culture destinations via public transportation, access the "Arts & Culture Ride Guide," provided by Valley Metro, at www.tempe.gov/tca.

back to top

Transportation a concern for SW Valley Chamber
by Sharolyn Hohman 
Jan. 26, 2010 12:08 PM
Special for The Republic

The Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce has always been concerned with the transportation needs of our residents.

In 1996, the chamber, then the Tri-City West Chamber of Commerce, was asked to take the lead in securing public transportation for this area. In partnership with Southwest Volunteer Services and Southwest Community Network, the work resulted in the START bus in 2000.

In the ongoing evolution of routes, several changes were put into effect as of Monday. Routes 29A, 41, 41A and 131 (START) have been altered, 41A has been eliminated and 41 is picking up the slack. Route 131 has discontinued service east of the Avondale Civic Center, but the frequency on the remaining route is being increased to hourly. The schedule will coordinate with Route 29A.

Convenient bus hubs have been established at the Avondale Civic Center and at Estrella Mountain Community College. A park-and-ride lot for Route 562 (the Goodyear/Downtown Express) is near Cornerstone Boulevard, between Sears and the West Valley Hospital.

For more information about Valley Metro, go to www.valleymetro.org.

In addition to ground transportation, the Southwest Valley has an outstanding aviation facility. Phoenix Goodyear Airport was named the state's 2008 Airport of the Year by the Aeronautics Division of the Arizona Department of Transportation.

For information about the Phoenix Goodyear Airport, go to www.goodyearairport.com.

Business information:  www.shopsouthwestvalley.com.

Sharolyn Hohman is president and CEO of the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce. Reach her at 623-932-2260.

back to top