Public Hearings Held for Future Bus Service Changes

Contact:      Susan Tierney                                                        
Public Information Officer                              
                602.523-6004 (O)
                602.292.4093 (M)                                       
                stierney@valleymetro.org                              

Public Hearings Held for Future Bus Service Changes
Reductions considered on local and commuter bus services

Phoenix, AZ (Feb. 13, 2012) Valley Metro is considering changes to bus service and the public is encouraged to provide input about possible service reductions through March 9. Changes could take effect as early as July 2012.

          Due to a lingering recessionary climate less local, state and federal revenues are available to support public transit. The expected shortfall totals more than $137 million dollars for the various major transit funds. Nearly 80 percent of transit agencies across the U.S. have cut service or raised fares or are considering either or both of those actions. Although there has been growing demand for transit, passenger fares cover only about 23% of operations costs.

          Valley Metro Express bus routes will be considered in the July 2012 service change. Express bus routes operate only during peak commute hours and travel primarily to downtown Phoenix employment centers from local cities and towns.

          “With new park-and-rides being added to the Valley’s transit system, a new type of Express service is proposed that will streamline the service and provide faster, more point-to-point service,” said Carol Ketcherside, Valley Metro RPTA Director of Planning.

          Valley Metro and member agencies will conduct regional public hearings on possible service changes to:  Grand Avenue Limited (GAL) and Routes 0, 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 13, 16, 17, 19, 27, 29, 35, 41, 43, 50, 51, 52, 59, 60, 67, 70, 80, 90, 136, 154, 251, 510, 511, 512, 520, 521, 531, 532, 533, 540, 541, 542, 560, 562, 571, 581, I-17 RAPID, I-10 East RAPID, I-10 West RAPID, SR-51 RAPID, I-17 RAPID to Rail.

          The public can provide input regarding the proposed service changes using an electronic comment card at ValleyMetro.org, by email to input@valleymetro.org, or by attending a public hearing.

          Phone comments can be made to Customer Service at (602) 253-5000 and written comments can be mailed to:

Valley Metro RPTA
Attn: Marketing
101 N. 1st Avenue, Ste. 1100
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Comments will be accepted until Friday, March 9, 2012.

Regional Public Hearing dates and locations:
Wed., February 29, 2012
Glendale City Council Chambers
5850 W. Glendale Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85301
Open House: 6 - 6:30 pm
Public Hearing: 6:30 - 7:15 pm

Thursday, March 1, 2012
Mesa City Plaza Building
20 E. Main St, Room 170
Mesa, AZ 85201
Open House: 6 - 6:30 pm
Public Hearing: 6:30 - 7:15 pm

Monday, March 5, 2012
Valley Metro
101 N. 1st Ave., 10th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Open House: 12 - 12:30 pm
Public Hearing: 12:30 pm - 1:15 pm

          Additionally, the public will have the opportunity to provide comment at city of Phoenix Public Transit Department annual budget hearing meetings April 4-18. Check www.phoenix.gov for meeting times and locations. Tempe residents will have the opportunity to provide comment at three Tempe public meetings February 25, 28 and March 1 and online at www.tempe.gov.
         
Local Public Meetings Dates and Locations:

Saturday, February 25, 2012
Tempe History Museum
809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe
9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tempe Transportation Center
Don Cassano Community Room
200 E. Fifth St., Tempe
6:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 1, 2012
Tempe History Museum
809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe
6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012
City of Chandler Council Chambers
88 East Chicago Street
Chandler, AZ
Open House: 6:00 - 6:30 pm
Public Meeting: 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm

Tuesday, March 6, 2012
El Mirage City Council Meeting
Council Chambers
14010 N. El Mirage Road
El Mirage, AZ 85335
6:00 p.m.

Monday, March 12, 2012
City of Surprise Transportation Commission Meeting
Surprise City Hall - Council Overflow Room
16000 N Civic Center Plaza
Surprise AZ, 85374
6:00 p.m.

          For disability accommodations and alternative formats, contact us at 602.262.7433 or email us at rcastro@valleymetro.org .  Information is available online at ValleyMetro.org and at Valley Metro offices, 101 North 1st Avenue, Suite 1300, Phoenix, AZ 85003, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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, commuter vanpools, online carpool matching, bus trip mapping, bicycle safety and telework assistance. Funding is provided by local and federal revenues. A board of 16 governments sets the policy direction for the agency and works to improve and regionalize the public transit system. All service and projects funded by the Proposition 400 Regional Transportation Plan funds approved by Maricopa County voters in November 2004.

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