Make Transit Happen Steve Banta, CEO Metro Atlanta Northern Crescent Transit Summit June 8, 2011 “Hell, there are no rules here— we’re trying to accomplish something.” Thomas Edison
20-Mile Light Rail Line
Project History 12 Years from Infancy to Completion 1996Initiated Project Planning Sept. 1998Started Preliminary Engineering Jan. 2003Completed Environmental Process July 2003Started Final Design Jan. 2005Full Funding Grant Agreement Feb. 2005Initiated Construction Dec. 2006Arrival of Light Rail Vehicle April 2008Initiated System Testing Dec. 2008System Opening
Why This Alignment? Corridor has highest travel demand High demonstrated bus ridership Highest employment concentrations Connects four out of the five major employment centers Good residential base High student population Corridor contains most special event facilities
Maricopa County gains one million new people per decade. Infrastructure has not kept pace with growth. Roadway construction alone cannot keep up with population and travel demand. Why Light Rail in Metro Phoenix?
Light Rail Moves More People
Light Rail Vehicle 50 vehicles manufactured by Kinkisharyo; assembled locally. Customized for environment Heat-reflective paint Low E, solar reflective windows Insulated car bodies to reduce cooling loss Bicycle racks, wheelchair accessible
“Cool Screen” Station 28 stations, primarily located in middle of roadway Customized for environment Horizontal and vertical shade structures “Green screens” to create moisture Chilled water fountains Cool surfaces Unique artwork integrated 3 rd St./Jefferson station
Park-and-Ride Locations
Operations HoursFromTo Monday – Thursday4:00 am12:00 am Friday4:00 am3:00 am (Sat) Saturday4:30 am3:00 am (Sun) Sunday4:30 am12:00 am FrequencyPeakOff-Peak Weekdays12 minutes20 minutes Saturdays15 minutes20 minutes Sundays / Holidays20 minutes *Peak hours are 7:30 am to 6:30 pm on weekdays; through 7 pm on Saturdays; all other times are Off-Peak.
Fare Inspectors METRO works on a proof-of-payment system; must have validated fare to board. Uniformed security checks passengers at random. Handheld verifiers can tell if your pass is valid. Citations: $50, plus court fees, up to losing transit privileges.
Light Rail for Special Events 15% of event attendees ride light rail. Past events include NBA All-Star, Tempe’s New Years Eve Block Party, ASU Commencement, sporting events and arts and culture festivals. US Airways Center Rail Ride Program – METRO accepts event tickets as valid light rail fare on the day of the event.
Campus Connection 20% of daily riders are ASU students, faculty, staff. Also provides transit connection to Gateway Community College, East Valley Institute of Technology, Central H.S. and many other public, private and charter schools.
Sky Harbor Connection 1,000 people/day are taking METRO to the airport. From 44 th /Washington, free shuttle that stops at all terminals. Runs seven days a week & mirrors light rail schedule. PHX Sky Train Phase I opening in 2013.
Ridership Success is in the ridership 50% above projections Average 43k/day, one million+/mo. Despite fare increase (7/09) and service reductions (7/10) Ridership characteristics 35% are new to transit. 45% travel to non-work destinations. 68% have access to a car.
Ridership 2009 – 2011
Development Along METRO 2004 to Present $6.9 billion total investment along alignment (planned, under construction or completed) $5.4 billion private investment $1.5 billion public investment 16,500+ residential units 129 million square ft. commercial 3,400+ hotel rooms
16,500+ new units Metro Manor Century Plaza Portland Place 44 Monroe Grigio Metro Tapestry on Central The Vue Development Along METRO Residential
Hayden Ferry Lakeside CityScape Hayden Ferry Lakeside Master-planned waterfront 17-acre site on Tempe Town Lake Office, Retail and Hotel Development—1M sf of Class A office Plaza-level restaurant/ retail in three mid-rise towers and full-service hotel Residential Development—Approx. 438 luxury lakefront condos CityScape Central Ave. & Washington $900 million project 1,200 condominiums 2 boutique hotels (400 beds) 600,000 sf Class A office 250,000 sf retail/restaurant Groundbreaking Nov First phase open in 2009, project build-out in 2011 Development Along METRO Large Mixed Use
Translational Genomics Research Institute 2005 Sheraton Downtown Phoenix Oct Phoenix Convention Center Dec ASU Downtown Campus 2006 – 2009 15,000 students at completion 1.5 million sf academic & support space 4,000 student beds within 10 years Sheraton Downtown Phoenix TGEN Phoenix Convention Center ASU Downtown Campus Development Along METRO Public Investment
Downtown Phoenix 2005
Summit at Copper Square 44 Monroe Portland Place Sheraton Downtown Hotel ASU Cronkite School Phoenix Convention Center Expansion ASU Nursing School Taylor Place Grace Court Forensic Lab CityScape Downtown Phoenix 2010
Future Expansion Plan 57-Mile High-Capacity Transit System
Total Transit Network Every transit mode serves a certain purpose and travel market. Many modes working in concert is what creates a successful transportation network. Even in this economy, we have to continue to build. Actively working on: 3.1-mile Central Mesa – light rail 2.6-mile Tempe Streetcar – modern streetcar 11-mile Phoenix West – likely light rail And three other extensions to north Phoenix, Glendale and northeast Phoenix.
The Economy Build Our Way Out Expansion is challenging in this economic climate. Transit is a solution. It creates jobs. APTA: For every $1 billion invested, creates/supports an avg. of 36,000 jobs. It stimulates economic activity. APTA: For every $1 invested, $4 is generated in economic returns. We’ve seen even greater returns. It creates sustainable development. Transit projects keep people at work. Spurs development/redevelopment. “This is about attracting and retaining talented workers through an urban environment that attracts employers and further diversifies our economy.” Mayors of Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa re: Sustainable Communities Development Fund June 4, 2011
Make Transit Happen Steve Banta, CEO “Hell, there are no rules here— we’re trying to accomplish something.” Thomas Edison
Q&A Steve Banta Chief Executive Officer