Teen Hit By Light Rail Train is a post from: Rail Life

For a while, it seemed like light rail accidents made the news fairly often. Cars and trains just didn’t seem to play well together when the system was new. Most of the time, we would hear that people were not paying attention to the road or were unfamiliar with the location of the tracks. It seems far more common for a light rail train to have an accident with a car than a person. The last “big” story I recall was when a man suffered a head injury back in November of 2010 while being pushed nearly 40 feet by a light rail car. I’m not sure what happened to that man, hopefully, he is ok.

Tonight, we hear of a teenage man hit by a train in Phoenix after stepping off of the platform and onto the tracks. Apparently, the 17 year old was struck at approximately 7PM near Central and Campbell Avenues.

According to Phoenix Fire Dept, the teen had a “pretty serious head injury” and was taken to the hospital. Thankfully, Jared Montoya was at the train station and was to help pull the boy out from under the train.

Teen Hit by Light Rail Train in Phoenix: MyFoxPHOENIX.com

Remember to obey the signs and watch for the trains. They are really big and can hurt you if you are not careful. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the teen. We hope he is well, soon.

Accidents happen. Safety first, folks. Just like momma’ told you!

METRO Introduces Holiday Train is a post from: Rail Life

Ho Ho Ho… All aboard the Holiday Train! METRO and Local First are at it again, looking to remind people to Shift the way they shop along the line. Get out there and find the Holiday Train, snap a few pics and be entered to win some cool stuff. Heck, it doesn’t get much easier than that. You’re riding the train anyway, might as well snag some free stuff. Hurry, the fun is only around for a limited time…

METRO Holiday Train rolls into service

PHOENIX, AZ — To spread holiday cheer and show continued gratitude to riders, METRO light rail will release a specially-decorated holiday train into service on Friday, Dec. 9.  It will stay in service through Sunday, Dec. 18.

The train will be adorned inside and out with seasonal décor promoting the idea of holiday shopping along light rail.  To discover hidden, locally-owned restaurant and retail gems along METRO, visit m.shiftarizona.com from your smart phone or home computer.  This site was developed in partnership with Local First Arizona to help residents understand how and where to spend local this holiday season and year-round.

Follow the Holiday Train on @METROrail’s Twitter using hashtag #trackthetrain. Send us your photos when you catch a glimpse or as you’re on board. Your photo submission enters you to win holiday giveaways.

Note:  The METRO Holiday Train is a regular service train; fares are required to ride.

METRO To Run Holiday Schedule For Thanksgiving is a post from: Rail Life

No big surprise here but you should be mindful that METRO will be running a holiday schedule on Thanksgiving. It IS a holiday, after all… They will return to a normal schedule for your Black Friday shopping experiences. :)

Light rail to run Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving

Returning to regular service on Friday

METRO will operate on a Sunday schedule on Thanksigiving, Thursday, November 24. Trains run every 20 minutes on Sundays and holidays. Service will return to a regular schedule on Friday, November 25, including late-night service until after 2 a.m.

Buses also observe a Sunday/holiday schedule on Thanksgiving, but continue a holiday schedule through Friday, November 25.

Click here for the service schedules of the upcoming December holidays.

METRO Raising Fees Again? is a post from: Rail Life

So, how would you like to be able to share your opinions on higher bus and light rail fares? Sounds like you will have ample opportunity to do so at some upcoming meetings. Can you change their mind? Does public input really make a difference? Time will tell. See the recent news from Valley Metro. Also, see the report from the East Valley Tribune.

Valley Metro Requests Input on Transit Fare Changes

Changes would take effect as early as July 2012

Phoenix (Nov. 14, 2011) Changes to bus and light rail fares will be discussed at public hearings in November and December. A price increase would impact the cost to ride the bus and light rail as early as July 2012. The current one-ride fare of $1.75 would possibly increase to $2.00 and the All-day pass purchased in advance would cost riders $4.00 instead of the current cost of $3.50. The 31-day pass would increase from $55.00 to $64.00 and the Express 31-day pass price would change from $85.00 to $96.00.

“Asking riders to consider paying a higher fare for transit service is never easy,” said Dave Boggs, Valley Metro executive director. “We know that transit service is important and that riders are willing to pay a little more to keep the service they need to get to work, school and vital appointments.”

In addition, Phoenix and East Valley ADA Dial-a-Ride services, the Arizona State University U-Pass, and the Platinum Pass will also be impacted by the fare change. Valley Metro plans to introduce a new 15-day pass and eliminate the 3-day pass due to its limited use.

If approved, the rural route fare structure will be simplified to a fare of $4.00 ($2.00 Reduced fare) per one-way trip. Rural Route 685 provides service between Ajo, Gila Bend and Phoenix.

To maintain a business standard established by the Valley Metro Board of Directors, the agency has a goal to recover at least 25 percent of the cost of transit operations from fares. Changes to fares will be considered every three years to help retain the 25 percent goal.  Currently, passengers are paying about 23 percent of their cost to ride bus and light rail and that amount continues to decrease as the cost of operations continues to rise. Many transit agencies across the United States are experiencing budgetary struggles. According to the American Public Transit Association (APTA), nearly eight in ten transit agencies (79%) have cut service or raised fares or are considering either of these actions.

The public meetings are designed to collect input that will then be presented to the Valley Metro Board of Directors next spring for consideration and approval. Fare change public meetings are scheduled for:

Tuesday, November 15

Town of Buckeye Council Chambers

530 E Monroe Avenue

Buckeye, AZ

Presentation during regular Council Meeting: 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 30

Cesar Chavez Library

3635 W. Baseline Road

Phoenix, AZ

Open House: Noon-12:30 p.m.

Public Hearing: 12:30-1:15 p.m.

Wednesday, November 30

Juniper Branch Library

1825 W. Union Hills

Phoenix, AZ

Open House: 5:30-6:00 p.m.

Public Hearing: 6:00-6:45 p.m.

Monday, December 5

Maryvale Community Center

4420 North 51st Avenue

Phoenix, AZ

Open House: Noon-12:30 p.m.

Public Hearing: 12:30-1:15 p.m.

Tuesday, December 6

Valley Metro RPTA, Lake Powell Room

101 N. 1^st Ave., Ste. 1300

Phoenix, AZ

Open House: Noon-12:30 p.m.

Public Hearing: 12:30-1:15 p.m.

Tuesday, December 6

Tempe Transportation Center, Don Cassano Room

200 E. Fifth Street

Tempe, AZ

Open House: 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Public Hearing: 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Wednesday, December 7

Mesa City Plaza, Room 170

20 E. Main Street

Mesa, AZ

Open House: 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Public Hearing: 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Thursday, December 8

Glendale City Council Chambers

5850 W. Glendale Avenue

Glendale, AZ

Open House: 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Public Hearing: 6:30-7:15 p.m.

Other methods to provide input on the proposed fare changes:

• Email comments to fares@valleymetro.org
• Provide input via an electronic survey at www.ValleyMetro.org beginning November 28

· Send comments by mail to:

Valley Metro RPTA

Attn: Fare Program Manager

101 N. 1^st Ave., Ste. 1100

Phoenix, AZ 85003

• Phone call comments to Customer Service at 602.253.5000

Comments on the recommended fare changes will be accepted through Friday, December 9, 2011.

Valley Metro transit fares can be purchased in advance at more than 400 retail outlets throughout the Valley, city halls, public libraries, transit centers, fare vending machines at METRO light rail stations, online at ValleyMetro.org, and through an Automatic Mail Plan by calling 602.495.5795.

Comments Sought For Passenger Rail Between Phoenix Tucson is a post from: Rail Life

Arizona PIRG has shared a lot of information on passenger rail in Arizona and the public has had opportunities to attend meetings to discuss its pros and cons.

We are being asked to share our comments with ADOT to let them know what people think about having passenger rail between Phoenix to Tucson:

“Imagine riding a passenger train between Phoenix and Tucson, one that would be quicker than driving and have great on-time performance.

The Arizona Department of Transportation is now accepting comments on what the public wants to see for a passenger rail connecting Phoenix and Tucson.” – Arizona PIRG

You can share your info on the Arizona PIRG Facebook page or you can submit comments on their web site <—by clicking that link.

Transportation delays can be costly, the pros and cons need to be looked at very closely. Make sure you give them your .02.

Friends Of Transit, Foes Of Transit: Who Wins? is a post from: Rail Life

Last week’s Transit Means Business Conference in Phoenix was well attended by transit geeks, politicians and METRO staff.

If you have an interest in transit, I would strongly recommend that you connect with Friends of Transit and get on their mailing list.

Speaking at the conference were:

Yvonne Hunter: Board Chair, Friends of Transit, addressed how and why transit is important to business.

Eric Emmert: Dorn Policy Group, spoke about how the current transit system evolved and shared about current transit issues in Arizona. Eric is very knowledgeable about how business and transportation issues combine in economically positive ways. Obviously, transit is important to business.

Don Keuth: Phoenix Community Alliance, also spoke of some of the challenges and issues facing transit today, as well as the future of how business and transit can effectively move forward in the coming years.

The conference was not just about the success of the Phoenix light rail system, it was an opportunity to learn about past, present and future transportation in Arizona. To me, it’s always interesting to hear the complexities of an effective transportation system. The multiple agencies involved, multiple funding sources ( local, regional, state, federal etc. ), and the seemingly endless amount of red tape, regulations, and posturing that goes into the process. It still cracks me up that people think the light rail system was the cause of the 2009 fare increase.

As far as the future of transportation needs in the valley, Don spoke of the next couple of decades and of the millions of people that will be living in Arizona. Said Keuth, “we don’t need more luxury condos.” In fact, there will be a need for infill developments in great locations where people can live closer to transportation systems instead of having an automobile as their only option. Adding millions of cars to our freeway system probably isn’t the only way to grow our economy…

Expanding Or Not?

The Mesa light rail extension and the Tempe Streetcar project have both been talked about a lot in transit circles, and both projects appear to be moving forward as well as can be expected. Back in February we learned that Mesa is recommended to receive $38 million in fiscal year 2012, and that METRO is requesting $72 million from the FTA for Central Mesa. In Tempe, we hear that more streetcar information will soon be available about future stations, operations, and more. One would assume they are fairly confident in their funding sources.

Will Funding Be There?

We heard talk of public / private partnerships during the Friends of Transit conference, and basically agreed that it is always difficult to find someone to write a check for the costs involved. Others have studied public / private promises and pitfalls and would probably agree that there is no easy answer.

This morning we are hearing more about possible challenges to current funding sources for our light rail extensions.

From today’s AZCentral report by Sean Holstege:

“Mesa has been promised, but has not received, half of the $70 million in federal transit grants it needs for a downtown light-rail extension. Tempe will apply for discretionary grants later this year for a streetcar.

And Phoenix has some, but not all, of the federal money it needs to study a light-rail line to south Phoenix.

All these requests could be cut, eliminated or delayed.”

More decisions are sure to come in the months ahead. We have been told that light rail extensions planned in the east valley are moving forward, but most people realize these promises were not written in stone. We seem to be constantly reminded of the chicken and the egg comparisons of what comes first, effective transportation systems or economic development.

Yes, we still hear that there has been $7 BILLION dollars in economic development along the line. But, who’s countin’?

]]> http://raillife.com/blog/2011/08/25/friends-transit-foes-transit/feed/ 3 http://raillife.com/blog/2011/08/17/valley-metro-passes/ http://raillife.com/blog/2011/08/17/valley-metro-passes/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:48:36 +0000 Rail Life http://raillife.com/?p=5081 Walgreens To Sell Valley METRO Passes is a post from: Rail Life

Finally A High-Tech Way To Find Your Train? is a post from: Rail Life

Without a doubt, there has been a big demand from transit riders to be able to get real time transit information in Phoenix. Apparently, many people can think of better things to do than wait for a train when it’s hotter than, hot. A couple of months ago, we saw a quote from METRO concerning the possibility of an upcoming system to help transit riders determine when their bus or train will be arriving at a station. “No, we’ve not built one. But this fall, we will have a way to give riders real-time info from their phones. More to come.” Well, that system has been announced. It looks like Phoenix bus and light rail riders can use a texting service called NextRide which allows passengers to enter via phone, text or online a unique five-digit code for their stop. After a text is sent, you will be notified of when the next train or bus should arrive. Signs will be located near stops and stations giving people the number they will need. If you use a particular station often, you should be able to store the number in your phone for use when you are getting close. This should be a handy way for passengers to time their ride.

Chandler LINK Bus

METRO fields a LOT of calls for train and bus schedules each year, and they hope this service will cut costs in the long run. While the system wasn’t cheap, it sounds like they think it will help.

Many people have looked for a way to see incoming trains or busses via a phone app. Unfortunately, that’s probably not happening any time soon. Open data sources are not always readily available as you can see here.

Here’s an interesting quote from popular valley transportation blogger, exit2lef.

This is a step in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go. Two sections of the article say a lot:

"Wisner also had to wait for the successful conclusion of negotiations with the Phoenix Transit Department over acquiring the city’s trip-planning software for $53,000."

Many cities have long had their transit data open to application developers, but Phoenix is acting strangely overprotective of its data. As a result, we’re lagging behind peer cities in terms of third party applications that can integrate data about transit routes and schedules with information about neighborhoods and local businesses.

For now, a text message is “high-tech” and should help in letting people know when their bus or train will arrive. I think the 21st Century is coming soon, maybe we will be a part of it.

METRO Light Rail – Some Interesting Numbers is a post from: Rail Life

While searching for some ridership reports recently, I came across METRO’s 2012 Operating And Capital Budget. Yep, it’s 56 pages of goodness that would be awesome for reading material when you have been drinking Red Bull all night.

Some pretty interesting nuggets can be found and are listed below. Please note, I just skimmed and wrote down a few things that jumped out at me, there is a LOT more on their web site. Feel free to download the report and read at your leisure.

2010 operating cost per boarding $2.72

Average Fare per ride increased from $.76 in FY2010 to over $.80 in FY2011.

$412,308 in system advertising revenue in FY2011

Service Frequency for FY 2012 plan includes running until 2am on Friday and Saturday evenings. Sounds like “Night Rail” may continue!?

Total Ridership is forecasted at 12.500 million passengers for the year with fare revenues generating $10.035 million.

Average weekday boardings are forecasted at 38,876 while Saturday and Sunday average ridership are forecasted at 27,507 and 20,833 per day respectively.

FY 2011 budget was approved at $90 million. Total expenditures for FY 2012 are estimated at $87.7 million. The balance for FY 2011 capital expenditures has been reprogrammed into the project cash flows for expenditure in FY12 and future years.

As the young transportation system continues to enjoy milestones, they seem to have a positive outlook towards the future. With an additional 37 miles of High Capacity Transit scheduled to be built in the next 20 ( or so ) years, there will be a lot of celebrations along with a lot of challenges. Stick around, it’s sure to be an interesting ride…

Score Another For Phoenix is a post from: Rail Life

I’m a big fan of a company called Walk Score. I’ve mentioned them several times is the past, but basically a Walk Score is a way for people to score a property based on it’s walk-ability. Being somewhat of a transit geek, I find this tool very interesting and have shared it with a bunch of people over the last few years. Yesterday, I read that the the City of Phoenix is using Walk Score data for part of a Transit Oriented Development study that should be available later this year. How cool is that?!?!

Check out this information from the Walk Score blog.

“Walk Score data helps us understand which corridors and station locations perform best from a land use perspective—which is often a key missing input in transportation planning where the primary focus is on ‘node’ (stations) rather than ‘place’ considerations,” said Curt Upton, the Light Rail Planning Coordinator for The City of Phoenix Planning and Development Services Department.

Sample Walk Score data:

I poked around a little bit and am really looking forward to learning more about the results of the TOD study in Phoenix. According to their web site, the Phoenix Planning Commission has been studying the areas surrounding six light rail stations to begin their study. They are analyzing intersection density along with information on housing, regulatory / zoning issues, parking, landscaping and MUCH more. Creating new zoning districts along the entire 20 mile system has been discussed for years, and higher density zoning has been successful in taking advantage of the supply / demand issues within approximately 1/2 mile of light rail stations.

“Local residents, business owners, and community groups are encouraged to become involved in creating a plan that identifies opportunities for new development and improves the connectivity of your neighborhood to the light rail station.” City of Phoenix

These are some of the areas that have been reviewed on the Phoenix web site, each has unique characteristics:

7th Ave and Camelback

Central and Camelback

Central and Indian School

Central and Roosevelt

12th St at Washington and Jefferson

38th and Washington

If you live, work or play along the line, you have probably noticed changes in how people get to restaurants, sporting events, schools, cultural activities and more. I’m sure this study will be a great tool in identifying some of the major shifts that have occurred. I’m certain that there have been other studies done to analyze the impact of the light rail line in Tempe, Mesa, and in Phoenix, but this is the first one that I am aware of ( on a large scale ) to use Walk Score data and I’m excited to see the results.

To see an example of how Walk Score works, click this link and then zoom in on the map to find a property in an area of interest. Each property will have a score based on area walk-ability.

Obviously, not everything located along the line gets an automatic money machine guaranteeing it’s success. There have been casualties, for sure. For the most part, the demand for more urban lifestyle options in Arizona has been strong. Grants for development near light rail, great support from locally owned business members, ASU students, and more continue to keep METRO ridership numbers far above early projections. This study by the City of Phoenix should go a long way in telling the story of what’s been happening since December of 2008, when trains once again began traveling our city streets. Thanks to Walk Score and to a bunch of other data, we should soon get a better glimpse of the future of transit-oriented development in our region…

Stick around, we will share the results once they become available.