by bryan | Oct 14, 2010 | News & Information
Bad economy, high unemployment cited as likely causes for decline At a time when many mass-transit systems across the country are enjoying a resurgence, the San Diego Trolley lost 6.5 million passengers. While expressing reservations about their own numbers, Metropolitan Transit System officials say familiar suspects are behind this 17.5 percent ridership loss in fiscal 2010, which ended June 30: a bad economy, high unemployment, cutbacks in state funding, relatively stable gas prices. “I really believe it is a reflection of the economy,” says county Supervisor Ron Roberts, a member of the MTS board of directors. “It is a concern, but I do not believe it is a rejection of the trolley by riders.” The agency also raised rates last year and made some cutbacks in services to meet its budget. Almost no corner of the MTS system — city buses, express buses, trolleys — escaped the effects of a failed economy and double-digit unemployment. The whole system lost just more than 10 percent of its riders last year, according to the agency’s annual report. A national survey of light rail systems by the American Public Transportation Association saw an average increase in ridership of 3.16 percent in the first half of 2010. But MTS’ revenue picture isn’t as bleak as its ridership figures. “What I think we’re also seeing is passenger revenue is constant or flat at best,” says MTS CEO Paul C. Jabonski. Customers are still buying monthly and day passes but taking fewer trips, he said. Fewer jobs and furloughs are keeping people off the trolleys, too. Jablonski points to the border where pedestrian crossings from Mexico...
by bryan | Oct 14, 2010 | News & Information, Valley Metro
PHOENIX — METRO light rail unveiled a new train wrap today. It showcases a bold, yet simple, public safety message: Stop on red. Obeying traffic signals is key to safely sharing the road with the 20-mile, in-street METRO light rail system. “We wanted to use our most visual asset – our light rail vehicle – to convey the importance of this message,” said CEO Steve Banta. “Safety remains a METRO priority and we continue to think of creative ways to keep the message fresh in the minds of drivers and passengers.” The Stop on Red wrapped train is now in service. The wrap will remain through the fall and winter – a busy ridership and visitor season for both METRO and the Valley of the Sun. “The Stop on Red train wrap is a great way to remind drivers to use caution around light rail when it matters most – when they’re driving!” said METRO Board Chairman and Phoenix Councilman Tom Simplot. “METRO is using this innovative way to take the safety message right to the street.” Also launched today is the Stop on Red online pledge. The pledge is intended to solidify drivers’ commitments to stopping on red and remaining an aware driver. As incentive, each person to sign will be entered into a drawing for 52 free all-day transit passes – a little encouragement to leave the car behind and try transit once a week, for a year. To take the pledge or for more information on METRO’s safety campaign, visit www.metrolightrail.org/safety. Photos of the wrap and its unveiling are available on METRO’s Facebook page. Photos can be emailed upon request. Information courtesy of Metro Light Rail....
by bryan | Sep 30, 2010 | light rail expansion, News & Information
Light-rail-related construction on 19th Avenue continues between Butler Drive and Townley Avenue. Albert Santana, who is overseeing the project for the city, said Royal Palms neighborhood residents and drivers can expect more of the same. Read...
by bryan | Sep 30, 2010 | light rail expansion, News & Information
Regional planners are mapping new light-rail lines in places that were inconceivable a few years ago, as they grapple with how urban Arizona takes shape in the coming half-century. Read...
by bryan | Sep 30, 2010 | light rail corridor, News & Information, Schools
Although he never used public transportation in his hometown of Temecula, Calif., Arizona State University junior Andrew Wolfe of Tempe looked at home while standing in a Metro light rail car headed downtown Phoenix about noon Thursday. The criminal justice major has been taking the light rail from Tempe to the school’s downtown Phoenix campus right after it started operating in December 2008, and has had a lot of practice. Read...
