Filed under: Arizona, Arizona Department of Transportation, City of Mesa, Mesa, US - AZ (Phoenix) | Tags: Bus, Transit, Valley Metro
Transit center groundbreaking setThe City of Mesa will officially break ground for the new Sycamore Transit Center, Saturday, January 27, at 9:30 AM. The transit center is located on the northwest corner of Main and Sycamore, just east of Dobson Road.
This facility will serve as Mesa’s transit portal to the high capacity, METRO light rail system. It will provide bus interface connections for several current and future routes including Mesa’s future Bus Rapid Transit Service.
The facility offers an automobile drop-off area, futuristic architecture and design complementing the end-of-the-line station, seven bus bays with shaded pedestrian seating, a double-unit water fountain, information kiosk, bicycle racks and lockers, METRO ticket vending machines, trees, landscaping, and three north/south pedestrian connections to the adjacent 812 space park-and-ride facility scheduled for construction in 2008.
“The design team of OTAK/Architekton developed a beautiful architectural facility which will provide for the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, automobiles, and buses,” Mesa Vice Mayor Claudia Walters said. “This is an exciting opportunity for the community and a continuance of the area’s revitalization.”
Several speakers including: Vice Mayor Walters, Mike Ladino, General Counsel for METRO, Les Presmyk, Board Co-Chair for Valley Metro and Dave Richins, representing the Mesa Grande neighborhood will make comments and be available for one-on-one interviews.
For additional information please contact Mesa Public Information Specialist Bob Huhn, at 480-644-4695. Saturday Bob can be reached at (602- 820)-9568.
Filed under: City of Tempe, City of Tempe News, Tempe | Tags: Bus, Clean Air, Tempe In Motion, Transit
Tempe receives award for clean air efforts
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TEMPE, Ariz.- The city of Tempe Transit Program, Tempe in Motion,
received the Outstanding Trip Reduction Program – Public Award from the
Clean Air Campaign on Oct. 18. The Clean Air Awards recognize the best
clean air and alternative transportation programs in Maricopa County.
The city received the award for implementing an outstanding alternative
modes program for its employees. The goal of the program is to encourage
city employees to ride the bus, bike, walk, carpool or telecommute in
order to reduce the Valley’s air pollution and traffic congestion
problems.
The city’s Trip Reduction Program provides employees with resources and
incentives to reduce single occupancy automobile trips. Employees
receive free bus passes, preferential parking for carpoolers and a
guaranteed ride home for alternative mode users. The city also has a
Bike Loan Program, which provides employees with a free bicycle and
accessories for bicycling to work.
For information, call (480) 350-2775 or visit www.tempe.gov/tim
Filed under: City of Mesa, Mesa, Phoenix, Phoenix Arizona | Tags: Bus, City Council, Dial-A-Ride
City of Mesa extends Dial-A-Ride service
At Monday night’s Council meeting, Mesa City Council approved the extension of Sunday and holiday Dial-a-Ride services for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) eligible citizens. The amendment was approved on Monday and will continue the service from Nov. 7, 2006 to June 30, 2007.
In July the senior Dial-A-Ride program was cut from the budget eliminating service for residents who are not ADA certified. The City continues to provide Dial-A-Ride service for ADA eligible citizens. After receiving public input, the Council decided to offer Sunday and holiday Dial-A-Ride service for those citizens who are eligible.
“It is important that we provide this service to our ADA population, and I am excited that we are now able to fund this essential program,” Councilmember Scott Somers said.
Mesa’s estimated cost to extend the service is projected to be slightly more than $100,000. The money will come from the Local Transit Assistance Fund II (LTAF II), which is generated from revenue from the state lottery’s Powerball. LTAF II money can only be used for transit purposes, including operations and capital.
Filed under: City of Mesa, Maricopa County, Maricopa County News, Mesa | Tags: Bus, Open House, Transit, Valley Metro
MESA MAIN STREET BRT STUDY OPEN HOUSES
Valley Metro, the region’s public transportation provider, is working to
implement the Mesa Main Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. This
high capacity transit project is included in the region’s program of
public transportation investments that will be funded through the
passage of Proposition 400 by Maricopa County voters in 2004. Valley
Metro is currently collaborating with the City of Mesa to conduct a
study of alignment options, vehicle options, and priority treatments to
implement the project. The Mesa Main Street BRT project is scheduled to
begin operations in late 2008 to coincide with the start of METRO Light
Rail Transit (LRT) service.
Two open houses are being held to inform residents and interested
parties about the project, and receive comment on project alignment,
station, and design options. Poster boards will be displayed along with
handouts and a Powerpoint slide presentation. Staff from Valley Metro,
Mesa, and the consultant team will be available to describe the project,
explain options, answer questions, and receive feedback. Snacks will be
provided.
The day, time, and location of the meetings are provided below.
Downtown/West Mesa
Thursday, September 28, 2006
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Room 170, Mesa City Plaza
20 East Main Street
(NE corner of Center Street & Main Street)
Mesa, AZ 85201
Served by Valley Metro Routes 45, 104, & Red Line
East Mesa
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Red Mountain Branch Library
635 North Power Road
Mesa, AZ 85205
Served by Valley Metro Route 30
BRT is a new, high quality transit service that operates on city streets
with enhancements to improve travel time and service attractiveness. The
Mesa Main Street BRT project is one of five arterial BRT corridors
identified in the Regional Transportation Plan that will be funded
through Proposition 400. The Mesa Main Street BRT will operate between
the planned light rail transit (LRT) terminal at Sycamore in Mesa and
Power Road. Alignment options are being considered in Downtown Mesa and
on Southern Avenue. A possible service extension to the Superstition
Springs Shopping Center will also be considered by the study.
The 11-mile Mesa Main Street BRT line will include new vehicles and
upgraded stations. It will also have improvements to increase operating
speed, which may include queue jumpers (lanes at intersections to bypass
backups) and traffic signal priority.
Phoenix Arizona 