This edition of the Friends of Transit Weekly Update is sponsored by:

August 11, 2010

Friends,

As you may have heard, negotiations are ongoing between the City of Phoenix’s bus operations contractor, Veolia Transportation Services, and the three unions that represent transit employees. Late this afternoon, both of the transit employee unions in negotiations, the Teamsters Local 104 Union (maintenance staff) and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 428 (mechanics) have agreed to extend talks until August 31, 2010. The Amalgamated Transit Union Local No. 1433 (bus operators) has an extension until September 30, 2010.

The City of Phoenix Public Transit Department has created a page on the Phoenix website to keep you informed on the progress of negotiations.  Please visit http://www.phoenix.gov/publictransit/strikeinfo.html for the most up-to-date information on the negotiations.

In the News:
Metro’s double-digit ridership increases over a year ago continued through July, The Arizona Republic, August 9, 2010

Upcoming Events:
Valley Metro Transportation Presentation, hosted by ABIL
August 25, 2010
Curious about Valley Metro's new light rail service?  Questions and/or concerns about using Dial-A-Ride? Have you considered taking the bus but didn't know where to start?  Do you have concerns (where do I catch it, how much is it, will my mobility aid fit, can I really ride it?)

Don’t forget to visit Friends of Transit on the web at www.friendsoftransit.org! 
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Metro’s double-digit ridership increases over a year ago continued through July
LIGHT RAIL BLOG
by Sean Holstege

Monday, August 9, 2010 at 11:40 AM 
The Arizona Republic

Metro reported carrying a total of 858,000 passengers in July, a 14 percent increase over July 2009. Likewise average weekday ridership posted 12 percent gains year-over-year. Metro reported carrying an average 26,554 on workdays.

In what may be a statistical quirk, Metro also saw sharp increases in the number of Sunday and holiday boardings in July. At 22,894, July’s figures were the highest since January and 51 percent above a year ago. Metro spokeswoman Hillary Foose attributes the number to July 4 falling on a Sunday along with three home Diamondbacks games.

The figures for the next two months will be among the most revealing since Metro launched service in December 2008. That’s because they will be the first two since Metro’s trimmed service changes took effect on July 26. Students are back at school and most people are back from vacations. Last year, in the same months, Metro’s saw no measureable effect of fare increases at the end of July.

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Valley Metro Transportation Presentation
(FREE Ride on Bus/Light Rail)

August 25, 2010
10:00am-12:00pm
Disability Empowerment Center - First Floor Conference Room
5025 E Washington St
Phoenix, AZ 85034

Curious about Valley Metro's new light rail service?  Questions and/or concerns about using Dial-A-Ride?  Have you considered taking the bus but didn't know where to start?  Do you have concerns (where do I catch it, how much is it, will my mobility aid fit, can I really ride it?)

Come learn about your transit system, as well as other transit programs such as coupons for cabs at a presentation at the Disability Empowerment Center.  We will bring a training Valley Metro bus to the site so you can board and ride in a stress free environment.  We will also take a short ride on the light rail.  The ride is FREE!!!

Host Organization:
ABIL

Target Audience:
People with Disabilities

Registration is required

Contact Person:
David Carey
602-443-0723
davidc@abil.org

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This edition of the Friends of Transit Weekly Update is sponsored by:


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