How the RTA Plan Improves Public Transit

April 3rd, 2006

To remain a viable and vibrant urban community in the 21st century, the Tucson region must invest in public transit. Not everyone in our community can afford a car. Some can’t drive. And for the sake of the environment, some choose to take public transit.

The freedom for all citizens to travel throughout our cities is vital for a strong community and economy.

The Regional Transportation Plan includes many public transit improvements that will build upon the success of the current transit system.

The Transportation Plan will:

–> Add bus routes
–> Expand transit services for seniors and people with disabilities
–> Add new park-and-ride centers making commuting by bus easier
–> Enhance the urban core by adding a modern streetcar

About 27 percent—or almost $534 million—of the $2.1 billion total plan will go to transit improvements.

IMPROVED BUS SERVICE

Expanded Hours

During the week the expanded hours will benefit workers, students and families who depend on transit for daily commutes, many routes will run until midnight. This makes it possible for people to break the cycle of poverty through night classes and/or working a second shift.

Easier Commutes

The Plan will also make it easier to use the bus for commuting to work or to cultural events in downtown Tucson.

Six new express routes will be added during weekday peak hours along with six new park-and-ride centers located in outlying communities with connecting routes to central Tucson. The new park-and-ride locations will include: Oro Valley, Marana, Green Valley, Valencia Rd/Casino del Sol area, Rita Ranch area, and Houghton/Broadway area.

Benefits for Seniors

During the next 20 years, a projected 54 percent increase in the total population of Pima County will result in a 67 percent increase in transportation needs for seniors and those who face physical challenges.

Within the Transportation Plan there are a number of items that will directly benefit seniors and those who assist them.

More Local Services

Transit services will be added within Oro Valley, Marana, Green Valley, and the community of Ajo. These new services are intended to provide daily connections to local activity centers as well as the regional bus routes.

Volunteer Transit Service

An innovative aspect of the Transportation plan is called the Volunteer Transit Service. This is a creative way to provide support to volunteers who transport seniors and others to doctor’s appointments, shopping and other services. Tucson’s Van Tran, Oro Valley’s Coyote Run, and Pima County’s Pima Transit will all be expanded by about 3.5 percent annually to meet the needs of our community.

High-Capacity Modern Streetcar System

Better than a bus

The high-capacity modern streetcar is far superior to buses, will greatly increase the ease of getting around the urban core of Tucson, and generate tremendous economic growth.

The streetcar system will link the University of Arizona and downtown along a 4-mile corridor in central Tucson between. It’s expected that 100,000 people will use the streetcars in the system each week.

Some of the benefits of modern streetcars:

–> Modern streetcars are more comfortable and quieter than buses.
–> Modern streetcars don’t pollute.
–> One modern streetcar holds twice as many people as a bus.
–> People enter at curb level, so there’s no need for special devices for wheelchairs.
–> The streetcar system allows the urban core to grow, without having to widen streets.
–> Once the rails are laid, we can add more streetcars to the system to meet demand.
–> Half of the costs for the streetcar system will be paid for by federal funds.
–> Modern streetcars last 25 to 30 years before having to be replaced, buses, 10 to 15.

Economic benefits

For every $1 dollar we spend on construction of the modern streetcar system in central Tucson, we can expect $10 of return in economic development. Portland, Oregon, built a similar streetcar system and saw $1.4 billion in new development invested along the streetcar line.

Operating costs are covered in the Transportation Plan along with matching federal funds to pay for maintaining and running the streetcars for the next 20 years.

Transit makes sense

Overall, the public transit improvements in the Regional Transportation Plan will give our citizens more freedom, help preserve our air quality, reduce traffic by making public transit more attractive and convenient, and contribute to our general economy.

Entry Filed under: Home Page Feature, Public Transit, Balance, Economic development