New Transit Book Details Service Changes

Phoenix, AZ (Jan. 5, 2010)  Valley Metro passengers riding in Avondale, Chandler, Tempe and Scottsdale should be sure to check their bus routes in the newest edition of the Transit Book before they board on Monday, January 25. Changes in service are occurring on 22 bus routes including the Tempe Orbit circulator bus routes.

“Reducing bus service is never easy, but it’s a trend that the transit industry is experiencing across the country,” said David Boggs, Valley Metro RPTA executive director. “Plans to continue expanding our regional transit system are definitely on hold in 2010.” One exception to future service expansion is the addition of the LINK bus rapid transit route on Arizona Avenue and Country Club Drive in July 2010, which begins construction this month with federal stimulus dollars.

With the slow economy and resulting decline in sales tax revenues, cities and towns are struggling to meet the current operations costs of existing routes, which has lead to adjustments in levels of service. Transit service is funded from a combination of local and regional sales taxes. Fares provide approximately 25 percent of the cost of operations.

Transit Books will be available to the public beginning January 18. Books are available at libraries, transit centers, city halls and on buses.

The Transit Book is a 300-page comprehensive resource that passengers rely on for accurate information about riding transit. In addition to offering the schedules and maps for more the than 80 bus routes and METRO light rail, the Transit Book features information in English and Spanish about fares, fare sales locations, and tips on how to ride the bus or light rail.

Valley Metro/RPTA provides eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County, including a clean-fuel bus fleet, low-emissions light rail,  a bio-diesel Dial-a-Ride fleet, online carpool matching and bus trip mapping, and bicycle and telework assistance. Funding is provided by local, state and federal revenues; and administered by a board of 15 governments working to improve and regionalize the public transit system.  

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