Pima County Interfaith Council
Submitted by:
Andrea Robson, Co-chair, St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church
Brian Flagg, Co-chair, Casa Maria Catholic Worker
Ernesto Lujan, Treasurer, Santa Cruz Parish
The Pima County Interfaith Council fights for the common good of families throughout greater Tucson.
PCIC supports Questions 1 & 2 – the Regional Transportation Authority plan and funding source because it will improve the quality of life for working families, youth and the elderly of our community.
This plan will revolutionize public transit in our community. When it passes on May 16…
- Bus routes will run past 11 p.m., with major routes past midnight.
- Routes will cut waiting time at bus stops by half during peak hours.
- All routes will have extended weekend hours.
- Bus routes will have expanded service areas.
- Two new bus routes will serve the Southeast Side for the first time.
- Rapid transit-style buses will service all express routes, with extended service as far as Green Valley enabling our seniors to have more freedom.
- Disabled people will benefit from extended service areas and hours for paratransit service, including Van Tran.
- Extended hours on bus routes will enable adult education students to attend at night and work second shifts.
While a sales tax affects those with the least income, this plan, with its widespread transit improvements – will pay back that cost to low-income people many times over.
The process has been open and flexible. Citizens have forced major changes in the plan to improve it. A citizen advisory committee will oversee all spending and issue annual reports to the public throughout the 20-year span of this plan.
If we don’t pass this plan it is unlikely that there will be any public transit improvements for at least another decade – and we will be unable to sustain even today’s transit levels.
We, the members of PCIC, urge you vote YES on Questions 1 & 2.
