With gas prices pinching all of us, it's good to know that some communities are taking bold steps to give their residents options for getting out of their cars and into public transportation.
That's exactly what's happening in the greater Phoenix region as Valley Metro continues to extend its wildly popular light rail network and increase bus and parking access to light rail service.
Today it can cost upwards of $50 to fill up your tank, so we need more and better transit options to help us save money for life’s priorities instead of putting it into the gas tank.
FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff rides light rail with US Representative Ed Pastor of Arizona's 4th District
During his visit to Maricopa County yesterday, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff rode light rail to Tempe and Mesa with Congressman Ed Pastor and met with Mayors Phil Gordon of Phoenix, Hugh Hallman of Tempe, and Scott Smith of Mesa.
He also saw first-hand how planned transit projects throughout the Phoenix area will improve connections between the region's roadways, the Central Mesa Light Rail corridor, and the major activity centers of downtown Phoenix, downtown Tempe, Arizona State University, and Sky Harbor International Airport.
These are the places area residents, business travelers, and tourists need to go, and the region's transit planners are working hard to get them there safely. For example, during events at the US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix, event tickets also serve as transit passes--when you buy your ticket, you've already bought your ride.
This new line is in addition to the existing Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail project, which opened in 2008. The FTA provided $587 million for the existing project and its extensions--including $36 million from the Recovery Act--and that investment is estimated to have spurred more than $5 billion in economic development along the corridor. Ridership continues to exceed expectations.
Continuing to invest wisely in Maricopa County transit facilities will ensure that Arizonans and their children have good transportation options for generations to come.
This is what our FTA is all about--connecting people to jobs, schools, downtown areas, and the essential services they need like medical care and groceries. And as gas prices continue to batter our wallets in these already challenging economic times, giving people car-free options to get where they need to go only becomes more important.
President Obama said that for America to compete and win in the 21st century, we have to out-innovate and out-build the rest of the world. The people of Phoenix, Maricopa County, and Arizona are doing both.
We definitely do need to compete with the rest of the world. Our infrastructure is lacking significantly compared to many other developed parts of the world. We need to make it easier for people to get from place to place. Efficiency in people moving is key, not only for residents but also for tourists who don't get rental cars.
Posted by: Lynsey | March 29, 2011 at 04:30 PM
The region has additional momentum for bringing transportation into the 21st century because this month Arizona approved it's first-ever statewide rail plan. This will make it possible, for instance, to start moving forward with initial steps for a Phoenix-Tucson rail link.
For more information, see:
http://www.arizonapirg.org/news-releases/smart-transportation/smart-transportation/state-rail-plan-approved-arizona-on-track-for-passenger-rail
Posted by: Phineas Baxandall (U.S. Public Interest Research Group) | March 29, 2011 at 04:31 PM
We agree!
connectingphoenix.com
Posted by: STUDIO 1to1 | March 30, 2011 at 07:49 PM
As a long time Valley resident and transit rider, I would like to thank Congressman Pastor and the FTA for all of their support in the development of the regions transit projects. The planned LRT extensions in north and west Phoenix and east Mesa are great projects that will provide a tremendous alternative for commuters in those areas and beyond. Your support for the bus program has helped grow the system into a vital transportation choice. However, recent transit cuts due to the economy have diminished the system, particularly in areas with high transit dependent populations. This is most troubling in Tempe which had been a transit leader. Funds are being cut from further development of the highly popular Orbit circulator program to develop and fund a downtown streetcar system to the benefit of land developers with no reasonable demonstrable ridership. Please continue you support for good transit and oppose funding diverting diminishing funds from transit to a poorly conceived development project.
Posted by: A Rider | May 17, 2011 at 11:18 PM
I like the tram rides on the streets in Phoenix. It's very nice that the network is designed with perfection and it keeps on getting better. Would there ever be trams running in the suburban areas?
Posted by: Phoenix Apartments | February 17, 2012 at 04:05 AM