Steve Banta, METRO CEO (photo: METRO), originally uploaded by Light.Rail.Blogger.

The spokesperson for METRO provided the editorial piece below, with permission to publish on LightRailBlogger.com.

Creating a Total Transit Network
Stephen R. Banta, METRO CEO

Sustainability and livability are common terms these days and used in everyday dialogue. This is encouraging for the benefit it will bring, not only to the public transit rider, but our region and future generations.

In my profession of public transportation, sustainability and livability have taken on a new focus. A well-executed public transportation system contributes to how people choose to live, work and play. The 20-mile METRO light rail line is a great example. People are choosing light rail as a means of transportation in greater numbers than projected. Additionally, each month this year has seen higher ridership than the same month last year. Businesses are popping up along the line and residents are making choices for where they live based on accessibility to transit.

Light rail and bus service are just the start of what our region needs to keep pace with growth. It is critical to keep building an effective transit system that provides residents with the options to leave their car behind on occasion or all week. I term this effective system as the “total transit network.” The total transit network is many modes working in concert to support regional growth and provide mobility choices.

I’ve seen and managed total transit networks in my past experiences with some of the largest public transit agencies in the U.S. It is the integration and coordination of local and express bus, light rail, bus rapid transit, streetcar, commuter rail and an overlay of a robust paratransit system that provides accessibility to all. It is an interconnected system that serves the region’s urban core and also provides options to those that live outside the core. It is what we need to support our growing population and enhance our economic viability. And even in this economy, we have to continue building in smaller segments with the total transit network in mind.

The Regional Transportation Plan contains the next steps in the total transit network with the building of 37 additional miles of high-capacity transit. The Central Mesa and Tempe South extensions are on the immediate horizon.

Central Mesa has completed planning to determine that it will be light rail on Main Street to Mesa Drive by 2016. The Federal Transit Administration has approved, with high marks, the project’s entrance into design; construction is scheduled to begin in 2013.

The Tempe South project is nearing a recommendation on the transit option to move forward into design, construction and ultimately operation in 2016. A modern streetcar in a Mill-Ash Avenue loop terminating at Southern Avenue is the highest-performing alternative in this study. If approved, this would be the region’s first introduction to streetcar.

Streetcar has a unique ability of strengthening a downtown core, providing greater neighborhood connectivity and stimulating higher-density, urban development. I’ve seen its success as a public transit option and economic development generator during my time with TriMet, the regional transit agency in Portland, OR. Streetcar working in conjunction with other modes is a next step in developing the total transit network.

The value of streetcar, or any new mode, is what it brings to the regional transit network and the livability of our communities. With each new corridor, we are taking a step towards building a total transit network that enhances regional mobility, supports and creates future growth and, most importantly, makes transit trips easier and more convenient for you, the customer.

For more information on METRO’s extension plan, please visit www.metrolightrail.org. The Regional Transportation Plan is also available online at www.azmag.gov.

Creating a super fun and clever adult Halloween costume is easy-breezy thanks to a variety of stores along the light rail in Phoenix. Whether you want to be a sexy doctor, slutty nurse, or some take on pop culture, you’ll find it on my list of Halloween Costume Shopping Along the Light Rail.

Easley’s Fun Shop (McDowell Rd / Central Ave Station) is the granddaddy of all costume shops. Family owned and operated, the store has everything to complete your ensemble. In fact, most Yelp reviews about Easley’s made the comment you can find almost anything here, even when you think there’s no way they’ll have what you need. Sales associates can even show you how to apply makeup, as Marty F. noted on his review. Easley’s is located at 509 W McDowell Road, which is just a short bike ride or walk from the McDowell at Central Ave Light Rail Station.

Retro Ranch (Campbell at Central Ave Station) is a Melrose District landmark which specializes in vintage styles, funky pieces, and retro looks. Heidi P. reviewed Retro Ranch on Yelp and says RR has a “crazy awesome clothing section!” Heidi also says the store is packed to the gills with great finds at shockingly low prices. Retro Ranch is located at 4303 N 7th Avenue, seven blocks west of the Central at Campbell METRO Light Rail Station. Take your bike or be prepared for a good walk.

Seconds 2 Go (Camelback Rd at Central Ave Station) is a great place to find gently used clothes and feel good knowing your purchase will help victims of domestic violence. S2G is not in the business of costumes: Seconds 2 Go will help complete your look with everyday clothes at thrift store prices. Seconds 2 Go is located at 4747 N Central Avenue in Phoenix, across the street from the light rail station. Find Seconds 2 Go on Yelp.

The following two items on my list are for mature audiences, so please tell the children to leave the room.

Castle Boutique (Camelback Rd at Central Ave Station) will help bring out your inner bad girl or boy. What’s inside? Just take a look at Jetta R‘s Castle Boutique Yelp review to find out. Here’s a quick rundown: Handcuffs, naughty nurse outfits, and blow up dolls. Surely, there’s a costume here! The store is located at 300 E Camelback, which is three blocks from the light rail.

Off Chute Too (Indian School Rd at Central Ave Station) is also for mature audiences. The store caters to the alternative crowd where men and women will find trendy clothing lines, jewelry, leather, shorts (or leather shorts?), and fetish wear. However, that description on their website misses the mark. Judging from these fierce lace gloves mixed with a tough pair of boots,  I see Off Chute Too as the place to go for an 80s punk or glam rock look, no? Off Chute Too is located seven blocks from the Indian School Station, so take your bike or be prepared for a bit of a walk. Store information can be found on the Off Chute Too Yelp page.

I stress out over Halloween because I’m costume challenged. I can come up with a plan, but committing and executing the plan are difficult. This year, I really have to find something good since I’m helping to promote Freaky Tiki – a Halloween costume party at Hula’s Modern Tiki on Sunday night. I’ve got four three days… I better go shopping! See you at Hula’s!

Most of the stores above are local and independently owned. The car-free lifestyle has taught me many things, especially the importance of buying at local. More tax dollars go back into the community when you shift the way you shop. Learn more about the Shift Arizona Campaign here: (http://shiftarizona.com).

Light Rail Map

A 7-day METRO pass  ($17.50)

What better way to encourage someone to see Phoenix (or the city where you live) than to give them a weeks pass or fare card to be used on the lightrail or bus.  You can either buy the ticket online or at a vending machine located at every  light rail station in Phoenix.  Either way, the ticket will be good for both the trains and the bus.  For more information on how to purchase click on METRO‘s site here.

Daily 10-pack from the Bicycle Cellar in Tempe ($30)

The Bicycle Cellar is on the ground floor of the Tempe Transit Center next to Sun Devil stadium.  The facility is the first of its kind here in the state if not the west coast – and allows a rider to safely store their bike in a locker and take a shower.  A handy pass especially for people who work in this part of the Valley and live somewhere else.  The recipient of the gift can chose any 10 days in a 12 month period.  I’ll admit, I’ve never been here, but I plan on going very soon.  Learn more about the Bicycle Cellar here.  The Bicycle Cellar is located at the Tempe Transit Center which is a stop on the light rail.

Mini-bike lights ($13.99)

CenPho bike shop Slippery Pig has these cool lights, one for the front and one for the rear, both will make you street legal at night.  I use a pair and they throw a decent amount of light considering the size.  Read more information about Slippery Pig here.  Slippery Pig is located just north of the Camelback lightrail station.  From the station, head north on Central past Camelback.  Slippery Pig is in the strip mall just past the intersection on the west side of the street.

Warmth

These gloves were $27 at Bunky Boutique – I like the fingerless gloves because you’re able to use a phone, dig around in your shoulder bag, etc.  And even though they’re fingerless, they still keep your hands nice and toasty.  Bunky can be found on the web here.  Take the light rail to the Roosevelt station, then head east on Roosevelt to 3rd Street, then south just past the dirt lot.

A gift certificate to a local coffebar

What transit nerd doesn’t like coffee?  Any dollar amount on a gift certificate is good.  $20 might get you a kiss, $30 would be orgasmic.  Need some other great gift ideas along the lightrail?  Check out my list on DowntownPhoenix.com here.

]]> http://lightrailblogger.com/2009/12/17/gifts-ideas-for-the-railfan-or-alternative-transportation-geek/feed/ 0 http://lightrailblogger.com/2009/11/23/five-businesses-that-will-help-you-live-carfree/ http://lightrailblogger.com/2009/11/23/five-businesses-that-will-help-you-live-carfree/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:31:07 +0000 Tony Arranaga http://lightrailblogger.com/?p=1182 Grocery shopping, picking up dry cleaning and any errands that normally require a car can be especially tricky when you’re carfree in Phoenix. Alternative transportation like the light rail, a bike or even a Zipcar (car sharing program) can get you around, however I’m curbing my use of the latter after my record carfree spending month in October. Running errands is not a huge problem when you’re carfree, but the wire basket attached to the handlebars is limited to what it can carry because of size as you can see in the picture below.

I learned rather quickly to limit my purchases to whatever will fit in the basket and in one arm.  Once in awhile, I’ll go over my maximum capacity and regret the decision the entire 10 minute ride home. I say all this not to complain or to disuade someone from living carfree, but rather to bring a solution.  In an effort to save time, and possibly my arm from falling off during an errand run, I’ve decided to check into stores around the Valley that have delivery services – and see how they measure up in comparison doing it all myself.

Safeway.com – I used this site to purchase groceries and it was a breeze to navigate.  The tabs were pretty basic in terms of directing you to different pages on the site. You can chose the day and time in most cases the next day if not that same day if you place the order by a certain time.  I purchased 11 items ($60 worth of groceries) and the delivery cost is $12.  From what I could see, everything that I would normally buy at the store was also available online and for delivery.  Perfect!  The delivery charge is a bit much in relation to what I’m ordering, however the convenience will be worth it. Having said that, Safeway is currently offering free delivery for first time customers and for 60 days following your first purchase.  If you’re looking for great frozen food try Schwans.

GooberPetDirect.com – Carrying a small bag of dog food on a bike isn’t hard, but it becomes an issue when you have to go and buy that small bag every week or two.  Especially when you could buy a bigger bag and save a trip and money but can’t carry such a large bag while riding a bike.  A friend referred me to Goober Pet Direct which delivers dog, cat and small animal food (like rabbit and bird) right to your home.  Cost wise, the bags are comparable in price to the same product I bought at the store.  I ordered a bag of food, but couldn’t find anywhere on the site to schedule a delivery?  I also wish they had a close up picture of the dog treats.  The best part:  free delivery!

NaturesGardenDelivered.com – I’m so excited about delivery service because of four words: natural, organic and local fruit.  There was a good variety of fruits and vegetables to choose from in addition to the size of your order.  I purchased a tiny box of approximately 20 pieces of assorted fruit for $28.  Although the fruit will most likely be gone in a couple of days, I figured I would try a small box first just in case to see how quickly I eat it and how long the fruit will  keep. You order early in the week and Nature’s Garden delivers later.  Bonus: free delivery!

OrganicDryCleaners.com – My dry cleaner doesn’t deliver, but I have used Organic Dry Cleaners on Thomas back in my pre-carfree days. Organic does a great job, but the prices were a little higher than most cleaners and you can cut that price down a little with the special internet only offers on their homepage.  I’m not sure if this service would work for me because they require a three piece dry cleaning minimum per order and I’m usually going to get shirts laundered.  The delivery is free.

Baker Nursery – Schlepping a heavy bag of dog food is the least of my concerns compared to a prickly cactus for my patio or a house plant to green my living room.  Problem solved with the Baker Nursery delivery service. The cost for delivery to the Downtown area is $20 and is more expensive from there depending on how far east or west you are from the nursery which is located on 40th Street.

The most important thing to remember, as with most carfree living, be sure to plan ahead when ordering for delivery.  The stores I mentioned above may not be able to deliver the same day or even the very next day, so waiting until the last minute could mean you’re back to running errands on your own.

Did I miss any errands?  Have you used a delivery service either here in Downtown Phoenix or where you live?