This edition of the Friends of Transit Weekly Update is sponsored by: 
| July 7, 2010
Friends,
We received many entries to our 4th of July Transit Contest- thank you to all who participated!
We asked you to send Friends of Transit an email to tell us how you planned to use transit to get to your Independence Day plans, wherever in the Valley they might be. One entry was chosen as the best by our panel of judges and the winner received a $100 gift card to the Mill Avenue District. The remaining entries were entered into a random drawing for four $50 gift cards.
It was hard to pick a winner! We had entries from all over the Valley, with destinations ranging from Tempe Town Lake, Steele Indian School Park, the Diamondbacks game, the All-American Festival at the Peoria Sports Complex, or even just to friends and families’ houses to celebrate. There were entries from both first-time transit users and regular transit riders.
The entry selected as the best was from Jane S in Chandler, who planned a car-free trip from her home to the Desert Botanical Gardens. Jane won a $100 gift card to the Mill Avenue District, good at over 90 participating locations. Jane’s entry said that she felt re-inspired to use public transportation and planned a fun and safe holiday using transit. Congratulations Jane!
The rest of the entries were entered into a random drawing for four other great prizes: Tony G. from Gilbert - $50 gift card to the Mesa Arts Center Andrew D. from Phoenix - $50 gift card to the Phoenix Zoo Alison G. from Phoenix - $50 gift card to Maizie’s Café and Bistro Jack A. from Tempe - $50 gift card to the Tempe Improv
Congratulations to all our winners!
In the News:
Tempe budget cuts force transit company to lay off 20, The Arizona Republic, July 1, 2010
Phoenix’s light rail-related construction on 19th Avenue resumes, The Arizona Republic, July 6, 2010
Discussion on Scottsdale/Rural Roads Future Transit Alternatives, Valley Metro, July 6, 2010
Don’t forget to visit Friends of Transit on the web at www.friendsoftransit.org!
Friends of Transit is now on Facebook!
| Tempe budget cuts force transit company to lay off 20
by Dianna M. Náñez
Jul. 1, 2010 10:02 AM
The Arizona Republic
Veolia Transportation is laying off 20 people this month as a result of budget cuts Tempe made to its bus operations.
Veolia Assistant General Manager Bill Jackson confirmed the layoffs Wednesday.
The layoffs are the first for the company since 1998 when it was contracted to operate Tempe's bus services.
Five people are being laid off July 11, five more July 18 and 10 on July 25. The company warned that budget cuts could affect as many as 53 of its 362 drivers. A decision was made to layoff 20 people for now and delay additional layoffs by spreading work among remaining drivers.
"It's very hard. It's the first time I've ever had to lay off anyone in transit," Jackson said. "We're still going to be carrying more (drivers) than we need. We're hoping this will be it (for layoffs)."
Tempe City Council approved service cuts to Valley Metro and Flash bus routes, which are operated by Veolia.
The cuts were the result of a decline in sales-tax revenue, which is the primary source of funding for Tempe's transit operations.
The bus-service reductions take effect July 26. Restructuring and cuts to bus routes are estimated to save $1.2 million annually. Reductions to Tempe's light-rail services are estimated to save $378,000 annually.
Michael Cornelius, vice president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433, which represents the majority of bus drivers throughout the Valley including Tempe, said the cuts reflect a national trend that has resulted in cities across the United States slashing transit operations.
That trend is affecting working-class laborers as well as people who rely on bus services, Cornelius said. Local 1433 has about 1,500 members.
Transit unions are lobbying the U.S. Congress for funding to restore the nation's transit operations, he said.
"We are going to try and get somebody to pay attention . . . because this is not just hurting our members," he said. "We're in a recession. People are relying on the bus to get to work because they lost their jobs . . . had to take lower-paying jobs and can't afford their car anymore. If the key to the economy is getting people back to work, then doing anything that takes away their ability to get to work is only making things worse."
Cornelius said Local 1433 is working with First Transit, which operates some West Valley bus services, to avoid layoffs. He commends the company for considering furloughs as an alternative to laying off people.
Cities across the nation have held rallies to protest transit cuts. A rally is being planned for the Valley, Cornelius said.
Mike Mills is a 50-year-old Veolia bus driver and Tempe resident who will be laid off this month. He is married and has four children and one son who recently died.
Mills said he hoped transit cuts would have been avoided when Tempe voters passed an increase to the city's sales-tax rate in May. Tempe has cut its transit operations twice in the past year.
"I guess we're fortunate they didn't do layoffs last time (there were transit budget cuts)," he said.
Mills said he is trying to keep a positive attitude.
"It's a shame. I really liked working there," he said. "(But) it's beyond my control. We'll just keep praying."back to top | Phoenix's light rail-related construction on 19th Avenue resumes
by Sadie Jo Smokey
Jul. 6, 2010 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Light-rail-related construction on 19th Avenue begins today between Butler Drive and Townley Avenue. Albert Santana, who is overseeing the project for the city, said the goal of the six-month project is to relocate the frontage roads.
Construction will begin on the frontage road on the east side of 19th Avenue near the Royal Palm neighborhood. Crews will build a fence between the street and frontage road and construct a temporary asphalt walkway.
"Public and private utilities will be relocated," Santana said. "All the work is behind the fence."
For about six weeks starting in mid-July, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on the quarter-mile between Butler and Townley.
Santana said construction message boards will alert drivers in the area about traffic restrictions.
Last summer, the sagging economy spurred Phoenix to indefinitely delay construction of the light rail's Northwest Extension.
The city continued acquiring homes and businesses along 19th Avenue, demolishing structures and preparing the land for utility relocation and improvements.
In August, installation of a Phoenix Arts Commission-funded gabion wall is scheduled in the Washington Park area north of Bethany Home Road.
The wall, made of stacked steel cages filled with fractured granite, will be 8 feet tall by 3 feet wide.back to top | Discussion on Scottsdale/Rural Roads Future Transit Alternatives
Public encouraged to attend July public meetings
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Valley Metro
Phoenix, AZ (July 6, 2010) A study is currently under way to help determine the best solution for providing an enhanced form of transit service along Scottsdale and Rural roads in Scottsdale and Tempe. It is anticipated that the demand for travel along this corridor will be significant in the future and require enhanced transit options beyond the current fixed route local bus. The public is encouraged to attend one of two public meetings, which will help Valley Metro identify a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). The Alternatives Analysis (AA) and LPA are required as the first steps in attracting federal funding to help supplement local funding. Local funding for this project is included as part of the Regional Transportation Plan voters approved in 2004.
A 30-minute presentation of the study will begin at 6:15 p.m. followed by an open house until 8:00 p.m. The same presentation will be made at both meetings:
Mon., July 19, Scottsdale Airport Terminal: 15000 N. Airport Drive (free parking is available in the main terminal parking lot)
Wed., July 21, SkySong: 1475 N. Scottsdale Road, Convergence Room (located on the 1st floor-southeast corner; free parking available nearby)
This study is being performed as a partnership between Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA) and the cities of Scottsdale and Tempe. The area being studied, about 15 miles, extends from University Drive in Tempe to Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale.
Transit options that will be presented include a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service that may resemble the Mesa Main Street LINK that connects to the METRO light rail in Mesa. BRT provides an enhanced level of bus service that features faster travel times, fewer stops, and enhanced transit stations with real-time bus arrival information.
Valley Metro RPTA provides eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County, including a clean-fuel bus fleet, low-emissions light rail, a bio-diesel Dial-a-Ride fleet, online carpool matching and bus trip mapping, and bicycle and telework assistance. Funding is provided by local, state and federal revenues; and administered by a board of 15 governments working to improve and regionalize the public transit system. back to top | This edition of the Friends of Transit Weekly Update is sponsored by:
For most consumers real estate transactions are one of the biggest financial decisions individuals or corporations make. Many consumers think buying or selling real any type of real estate is “easy”. Real estate transactions are far more complicated than they may appear.
REALTOR® is a trademarked term that denotes an individual who has voluntarily joined the Association of REALTORS®. REALTORS® are individuals that hold themselves to a higher standard of care and “Code of Ethics” than other real estate licensees and overall have more formal real estate education which in the end benefits their customers and clients. Use only a REALTOR® for all your real estate needs. | Interested in sponsoring the Weekly Update?
The Friends of Transit Weekly Update reaches several thousand inboxes each week and the distribution grows every day. Sponsorships start at just $250 per week, and include logo, link and up to 100 words of text. Email info@friendsoftransit.org for more information or to reserve a space. back to top |
FRIENDS OF TRANSIT, inc.
a 501 (c)(3)
P.O. Box 36916
Phoenix, AZ 85067-6916
(602) 818-1024
info@friendsoftransit.org |
