Www.tempe.gov/tim CFTE Transit Initiatives Conference: What We Can Learn From Recent Campaigns Tempe, AZ December 8, 2003.

www.tempe.gov/tim

CFTE Transit Initiatives Conference: What We Can Learn

From Recent Campaigns

Tempe, AZ

December 8, 2003

www.tempe.gov/tim

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

www.tempe.gov/tim

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• 1st dedicated local transit tax in AZ

(Phoenix, Flagstaff, Glendale, followed)

www.tempe.gov/tim

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

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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

www.tempe.gov/tim

Reasons for Yes Votes

• Desire to improve air quality/environment

• Trust local government

• Need mass transit, must start somewhere

www.tempe.gov/tim

Reasons for No Votes

• Don’t want more taxes

• Should be regional

• Don’t use transit, not needed

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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

www.tempe.gov/tim

Election Issues

• Issues which arose after passage– Other local elections between 1997 &

2000 failed (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler)

– Light rail controversial– Regional coordination– “Cash cow”

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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

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Tempe Bus Ridership

• 1.2 million boardings in calendar year 1996

• 6.3 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

www.tempe.gov/tim

Tempe Transit Tax Detail

• 15-minute peak period fixed route frequency, new routes

www.tempe.gov/tim

• Neighborhood Circulator: current service represents two routes combined (original commitment 3 routes)

Tempe Transit Tax Detail

www.tempe.gov/tim

• 82 bus pullouts completed to date (original commitment 30 total)

Tempe Transit Tax Detail

www.tempe.gov/tim

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

Tempe Transit Tax Detail

www.tempe.gov/tim

• 98% bus stops accessible to persons with disabilities (less than 50% were accessible in 1996)

Tempe Transit Tax Detail

www.tempe.gov/tim

Tempe Transit Tax Detail

• Construction of downtown Transit Center (concurrent with light rail project)

www.tempe.gov/tim

Tempe Transit Tax Detail

www.tempe.gov/tim

• Bicycle/pedestrian project grant match

• 1% set aside for transit-related municipal arts projects

• Marketing/community outreach program (numerous awards)

Tempe Transit Tax Detail

www.tempe.gov/tim

• Streetscapes• Light Rail Corridor• Bus Shelters• Buses• Bicycle Racks• Multi-Use Paths• Bicycle Lockers• Freeway Bicycle/Ped. Bridges

Art in Transportation Projects

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Bus Shelters

Artist:Joe Tyler

“Waiting for a Date”

Artist: Linda Haworth

“Untitled”

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Fifth Street Project

Artist: Kevin Berry

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Country Club Way Pedestrian Bridge

Artist:Laurie Lunquist

“Wings”

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Bicycle Lockers

Artist: Rose Johnson

Artists: Ron Bimrose and students from McKemy Middle School

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Artist Designed Buses

Artist:Rose Johnson

Artist:Patti Parsons

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3rd & Mill LRT Station