ArizonaDepartment ofTransportation NEWS

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2008
Contact: ADOT Media Relations
Phone: 1-800-949-8057

ADOT Multimodal Planning Division Completes Statewide Rural Transit Needs Study

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Multimodal Planning Division, in partnership with the Arizona Transit Association, recently completed the first comprehensive study of rural transit needs in Arizona.

Local transit needs are growing rapidly in rural Arizona where existing funding may not be available.  The study reviewed existing transit planning efforts in rural communities statewide, and integrated them into a comprehensive statewide plan.

The study also coordinated regional and state planning efforts in order to define needed intercity transit services.  The rapid population growth in cities adjacent to major urbanized areas in Arizona is leading to a need for additional intercity transit services.  As an example, many of the residents in rural Maricopa County (i.e., Gila Bend, Queen Creek) and Pinal County (i.e., Casa Grande, Eloy, Florence) rely on the Phoenix metropolitan area for employment, medical services, shopping, education and recreation.  Additionally, the study addressed the characteristics of rural transit services that are needed in tribal areas, as well as the need for additional funding.

The study included three phases:

o Phase I:  Existing Conditions and Future Forecasts – Phase I identified mobility gaps in rural Arizona where public transportation is an option.  The analysis included current public transportation operations, demographics, travel patterns, trends in service provision, and available funding. 

o Phase II:  Transit Demand and Need Estimates – Phase II determined current estimates and future projections of demand and need for rural transit service in Arizona, incorporating the status of available funding and input received during the study’s stakeholder meetings. 

o Phase III:  Alternatives Evaluation and Strategic Plan – Phase III provided specific recommendations on how existing rural transit services can be improved and where new rural transit services will be most beneficial.  The recommendations also include a schedule for implementation tied to a long-term strategic direction.

“This is the first effort to project long range transit demand in rural portions of the state.  The study provides balanced, objective findings and recommendations that will be of tremendous value for planning and implementing rural public transportation solutions for the state,” said Matt Carpenter, of ADOT’s Multimodal Planning Division.

“As an organization that represents over 375 member organizations, including 250 from rural Arizona, AzTA understands the significant issues facing our rural areas as they struggle to meet rapidly-growing needs for public transportation,” said Paul Miller, President of the Arizona Transit Association.  “We are hopeful that this study will be an important step in developing meaningful strategies to meet those needs.”

The study has multiple uses, including facilitating the relationship between public transportation planning and long-range transportation planning requirements mandated by state law.  It will be used as a companion document for the next update of the State’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, which will occur in 2009. 

The study can be accessed at:  http://www.azdot.gov/PTD/ArizonaRuralTransitNeedsStudy.asp