Public Hearing: Public Transit Proposed Service Changes

 

Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority, and member transit agencies, will conduct public hearings on proposed service changes to: Grand Avenue Limited (GAL), 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, 510, 511, 512, 520, 521, 531, 532, 533, 540, 541, 542, 560, 562, 571, 581, I-17 RAPID, I-10 RAPID, SR-51 RAPID, I-17 RAPID to Rail, and 251 (new service).

 

The regional transit system is considering service changes which may include reductions. The service reductions and changes may become effective as early as July 2012. Information on meeting times and how to provide input is available online at http://www.valleymetro.org/hearings/.  Valley Metro will accept comments until Friday, March 9, 2012.

 

 

 

Transit Negotiations Update

 

Negotiations Update

Updated information for Phoenix and Tempe can be found here and here.

 

With a possible transit strike occurring, bus riders are encouraged to check for updates on possible impacts to service, including RAPID contingency schedules. Affected routes operated by Phoenix would include DASH, SMART, 0, 1, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 19, 27, 35, 39, 44, 50, 52, 60, 70, 80, 90, 106, 122, 138, 154, 170, 186, RAPID I-10 East, RAPID I-17, RAPID SR-51 and Express 581. Affected routes operated by Tempe would include FLASH, Orbit Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and Jupiter, 48, 56, 62, 65, 66, 72, 77, 81, 108, Express 510, 512, 520 and 521. More information on the Tempe routes can be found here.
 

Get information on alternate Veolia route schedules in the event of a strike on the City of Phoenix's Veolia information page.  Check Valley Metro or call Valley Metro Customer Service at 602-253-5000 for help planning a trip.

 

Please have back up plans for alternative travel to work, school, and other destinations. Complete a Matchlist for possible carpool partners.

 

Contingency Transit Service Plan (if a strike should occur):
If a strike should occur then Phoenix transit service may be reduced on the 33 bus routes operated by Veolia Transportation Services. There are three contingency plans that identify service levels at 30%, 45%, and 60% of normal operations, see http://www.phoenix.gov/publictransit/strikeinfo.html for details. Veolia will strive to begin operations at the highest level contingency plan possible.

 

However, during the strike there will not be any DASH service in downtown Phoenix nor SMART service in Sunnyslope; Express service will not operate and those passengers should use RAPID which will operate on fewer trips. It is unlikely that the Tempe express routes would run in the event of a strike. First Transit and MV Transportation services are not expected to be impacted.

 

A list of the 31 Veolia Transportation routes that may go on strike can be found here: http://phoenix.gov/publictransit/veoliarts.html and http://www.phoenix.gov/publictransit/wsRoutesPhxcontractor.pdf

 

We must hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Please keep in mind that a planned bus strike does not qualify Commuter Club members for an emergency ride home. If you have any questions, please call the Capitol Rideshare office at 602.542.7433.

 

 

 

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