Public transit makes cuts because of sales-tax slump
Ryan McCullough
With a budget deficit of $11 – $12 million, The Tempe Transit system is considering cutbacks to its bus and light rail service. On Sept. 12 a meeting was held to present the possible changes to the public. The meeting also presented the economic situation that is making the changes a necessity. The transit system receives 57 percent of its budget from sales tax.
“You can see that we are heavily dependent on sales tax and you are all aware the recession has put tremendous pressure on sales tax,” said Greg Jordan, a valley metro representative.
Only 15 percent of operation costs are gained from fares.
Possible changes in service include:
Metro light rail only running until midnight on Friday and Saturday. The light rail currently runs until 2:30 a.m. on those days.
Operating the light rail every 15 minutes, instead of 12, during peak periods on weekdays.
Changing the Orbit to operate every 30 minutes, from 15, on Saturdays and 20 minutes, from 15, on weekdays.
Charging for the Orbit, either $.50 cents per ride, transit passes not accepted, or $1.75 per ride, transit passes accepted.
Operate Route 72 – Rural/Scottsdale road every 20 minutes. Currently extra trips operate around ASU during weekdays.
Eliminate Route 40 – Apache/Main in Tempe.
Eliminate portions of Route 108 – Elliot on Priest Drive and change operation times to every 60 minutes on weekdays.
Operate Route 48 – 48th Street/Rio Salado and Route 62 – Hardy/Guadalupe every 30 minutes. Both routes operate every 15 minutes on weekdays.
Eliminate Express 511 in Tempe. The route travels from Apache Boulevard park-and-ride to Scottsdale on the Loop 101.
To see all possible changes please visit www.valleymetro.org
