Phoenix is One of the Nation's "10 Most Improved" Public
Transit Cities
May 15, 2003
Ninety-six new buses, renewed Sunday service, upgraded Park-and-Rides, a
new neighborhood circulator, and upcoming commuter buses and light rail service
makes Phoenix, a member of Valley Metro, one of the nation's "Top Ten Most
Improved Transit Systems," according to Metro Magazine.
As a key reason for the system-wide improvements, the transit trade publication
cited Phoenix Public Transit Department's strong support from Phoenix voters
and City government. Writer Albert Neal says the Phoenix Transit Election
in March of 2000 "opened a funding stream to help increase transit ridership
and hours of operation and to plan, improve and launch new transit services."
The ranking lauded Phoenix's purchase of 96 new 40-foot long buses that run
on liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as the on-going conversion of its
bus fleet to run on the cleaner burning fuel. It mentioned RAPID, Phoenix's
new freeway commuter bus service set to launch its first phase this summer,
and it's partnership in Valley Metro Rail, the light rail service that will
link Glendale, Tempe, Mesa and Phoenix. The magazine notes there has been
a 10 percent annual increase in ridership since the Phoenix Transit Election.
"I think it's awesome that we were named one of America's 10 Most Improved
Transit Systems," said Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten, chair of the Transportation,
Aviation, Transit and Technology subcommittee. "This is reflective of community
opinion of our transit service; people have said they would use an improved
system. And we are able to do this thanks to input and funding support from
Phoenix voters that allow us to continue building a full array of transportation
options."
Factors in the selection process included improved communication in the form
of better route maps and schedules, more personal customer service and additional
routes and services. The Top Ten were, in alphabetical order: Bridgeport,
Conn., Fairfax, Va., Kankakee, Ill., Nashville, Tenn., Phoenix, Ariz., San
Francisco, Calif., Seattle, Wash., Washington, Ind., West Palm Beach, Florida
and, Worcester, Mass.
View the entire write up in the May issue of Metro Magazine
online at: http://www.metro-magazine.com/Top10_MI_2003.pdf
Media Contact:
| Marie Chapple Camacho |
602-261-8254 |
