CFTE Transit Initiatives Conference: What We Can Learn From Recent Campaigns Tempe, AZ December 8, 2003

Tempe, AZ 6th largest city in Arizona Centrally located in the region Home of Arizona State University, 45,000 students plus planned expansion 159,000 population (35,000 HH) Compact land area (40 square miles) Highest residential density in the state Transportation is major community concern

Tempe Transit Tax Vote Election date September 10, 1996 Sales tax increase of one half of one percent for transit improvements No sunset Vote: 54% yes to 46% no 1 st dedicated local transit tax in AZ (Phoenix, Flagstaff, Glendale, followed)

Tempe Transit Tax Background Tempe residents voted yes on 3 previous regional transportation tax votes (2 failed) Mayor’s Transportation Committee formed in 1987 – ad hoc advisory group Active Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee

Tempe Transit Tax Background After 1994 regional tax defeat, Chamber leadership and citizens Transportation Committee jointly approached City Council to receive authorization for a local tax proposal Combined group spent 6 months preparing community-based proposal

Reasons for Yes Votes Desire to improve air quality/environment Trust local government Need mass transit, must start somewhere

Reasons for No Votes Don’t want more taxes Should be regional Don’t use transit, not needed

Election Issues Items which aided in passage of tax –Citizen oversight (new Transportation Commission) –Detailed plan and public information –Community involvement in plan preparation –Business community leadership/support

Election Issues Issues which arose after passage –Other local elections between 1997 & 2000 failed (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler) –Light rail controversial –Regional coordination –“Cash cow”

Current Tempe Transit Program Bus Route Improvements Neighborhood Circulators Bus Stop Amenities and Pullouts Transit Center(s) Light Rail Corridor Planning, Design & Construction Marketing/Community Outreach Bicycle Facilities Traffic Calming & Neighborhood Pedestrian Design

Tempe Bus Ridership 1.2 million boardings in calendar year million boardings in calendar year 2002 (425% increase since 1996) As of September 30, there were 5.1 million boardings in calendar year 2003 Anticipate exceeding calendar year 2002 ridership

Tempe Transit Tax Detail 15-minute peak period fixed route frequency, new routes

Neighborhood Circulator: current service represents two routes combined (original commitment 3 routes) Tempe Transit Tax Detail

82 bus pullouts completed to date (original commitment 30 total) Tempe Transit Tax Detail

Seating at 93% of 805 total transit stops including 191 shelters (original commitment 40 bus stop improvements per year) Tempe Transit Tax Detail

98% bus stops accessible to persons with disabilities (less than 50% were accessible in 1996) Tempe Transit Tax Detail

Tempe Transit Tax Detail Construction of downtown Transit Center (concurrent with light rail project)

Tempe Transit Tax Detail

Bicycle/pedestrian project grant match 1% set aside for transit-related municipal arts projects Marketing/community outreach program (numerous awards) Tempe Transit Tax Detail

Streetscapes Light Rail Corridor Bus Shelters Buses Bicycle Racks Multi-Use Paths Bicycle Lockers Freeway Bicycle/Ped. Bridges Art in Transportation Projects

Bus Shelters Artist:Joe Tyler “Waiting for a Date” Artist: Linda Haworth “Untitled”

Fifth Street Project Artist: Kevin Berry

Country Club Way Pedestrian Bridge Artist:Laurie Lunquist “Wings”

Bicycle Lockers Artist: Rose Johnson Artists: Ron Bimrose and students from McKemy Middle School

Artist Designed Buses Artist:Rose Johnson Artist:Patti Parsons

3 rd & Mill LRT Station