TRANSIT ON THE MOVE LIAISON GROUP MEETING
October 6, 2005,
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
University of Arizona University Services Annex Building, 220 West 6th Street
Meeting Summary
1. Welcome.
Jim Glock, Director Tucson Department of Transportation, welcomed everyone to the meeting and expressed appreciation for the hard work being done by members of the Community Liaison Group. He turned the meeting over to Freda Johnson, Rillito Consulting Group and meeting moderator who asked people to introduce themselves. Ms. Johnson reviewed the general ground rules for the meeting. She announced that an evaluation questionnaire would be distributed later in the meeting for Community Liaison Group (CLG) members to fill out and return that evening. She asked that questions be held until after the presentation about the Tier II results and recommendation and said that a copies of the PowerPoint presentation could be used to take notes during the presentation.
2. Tier II Results and Recommendation.
Marc Soronson and Mathew Taunton of SR Beard & Associates made the presentation. They were assisted by Holly Hassett of Hexagon Transportation Consultants who presented information about ridership projections.
3. Discussion/Action
Ross Bryant, Campbell-Grant Neighborhood Association, asked about the possibility of extending transit service beyond the project area. He commented that he likes the service expansion to 1:00 a.m. Marc Soronson said that discussions have taken place with SunTran about reallocating saved miles (from modern streetcar service) to express service and that similar coordination has taken place in discussions with CatTran. Specifics have not yet been worked out.
Donovan Durband, Tucson Downtown Alliance, requested the addition of “downtown growth and development” to slide #2, and a list of objectives for the project.
Pat Dunford, Old Pueblo Trolley, observed that there would be cost savings if some bus routes were eliminated as a result of the modern streetcar operation.
Corky Poster, observer, asked for clarification about the route proposed to access Rio Nuevo. Marc Soronson reviewed the route as posted on a large map and shown on handouts distributed to everyone. He explained that continued coordination would take place with people working on Rio Nuevo projects.
Marcia Roberts, observer, asked what would happen if there are streetcar breakdowns. Response was made that there will be double tracks and crossovers from one to the other periodically.
Steve Farley, Blenman Elm Neighborhood Association, asked that 40-year capital costs be shown in presentations.
Joseph La Mantia, Grant Road Neighborhood Association/Iron Horse Neighborhood Association, spoke in favor of the modern streetcar from the point of view of its being environmentally friendly. He said that the amount of fuel used by buses would be saved once the modern streetcar is operating.
Grace Rich, North University Neighborhood Association, said she really likes the modern streetcar and that it will generate more tourism in the area. She asked if the initial outlay would be enough to get Federal funding. Mathew Taunton said he thinks the estimates are on track and that the University of Arizona will generate a huge number of riders. David Bachman-Williams, Bicycle Advisory Committee, asked if there is a non-rail option. Mathew Taunton said that bus technology is moving away from a “trolley bus” approach to diesel-electric hybrid vehicles.
Ellen Adelstein, Catalina Vista Neighborhood Association, asked about overhead wires and response was made that this is the case with modern streetcar. She expressed concern about graffiti on streetcars. Staff said that this is not too much of a problem in other places. She also asked about special parking areas for people wishing to access the modern streetcar. Staff said that special events are normally during off-peak hours, so there are already available parking locations on campus.
John Sedwick, Fourth Avenue Merchants Association, commented that there will be naysayers regarding the modern streetcar and its costs and his response would be that the economy would worsen if no improvements to our transportation system were made.
Ross Bryant asked about assumptions regarding ridership and fares for use of the modern streetcar compared to the bus system. Holly stated that studies do show that the modern streetcar will have increased boarding but the model required by the FTA does not differentiate between technologies and therefore, per FTA guidelines, we cannot make this conclusion. Mathew Taunton said that farebox recovery can be misleading and many modern systems include “ride-free” in congested areas so that there are not delays in the operation. He said that University students might just use a student ID card to pay if a pass system is utilized. Response was made to another question that streetcar boardings will be much greater than on buses.
Dick Basye, an observer, said that he thinks the existing trolley should be expanded and supplemented with more bus service. He asked about the cost of buses and the response was $500,000 for a custom vehicle in a bus circulator system.
Ryan Matchett, an observer, asked about flood control challenges in the area and response was made that more drainage work needs to be done.
David Bachman-Williams said that the bicycle community is strongly in favor of the modern streetcar. In response to a comment about concerns of bicyclists with regard to tracks, Mike Barton said that a special flange has been designed so that bike wheels do not get caught in tracks. David asked about how operations would work during the 4th Avenue Street Fair. Response was made that the system will operate at either ends of the fair in a dumbbell configuration.
Don Durband commented that land would be needed for maintenance facilities. Marc Soronson explained where this land would be in the vicinity of 4th Avenue. Don said that such a site would be well suited for transit-oriented development and this information might be added to presentations about the project.
Joseph LaMantia suggested that the system be made free. He described how a free gondola in the town of Telluride has enhanced considerable new development.
John Sedwick brought up the desire to have a multi-use maintenance facility.
Jane McCollum, Main Gate Square Businesses/Marshall Foundation, commented about how the modern streetcar enhances and maximizes parking between the University and Downtown.
Ellen Adelstein said she is interested in knowing more about the fare system. She suggested that the fare system used in Las Vegas be checked out because it works very efficiently for passengers.
Ross Bryant said that he likes the modern streetcar but he wonders if this would preclude a rapid bus system should funds not be available. Staff said that they are reasonably confident that the modern streetcar would be funded.
Joy Herr-Cardillo, Tucsonans for Sensible Transportation, said that she really likes the idea of reworking 2nd street in the modern streetcar scenario.
David Bachman-Williams asked if the modern streetcar braking system produces electricity that can be collected for re-use. Matthew and Marc had not heard of such a design but that it could be looked into at the vehicle manufacturer’s website (www.skoda.cz).
Jeff Barr, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, raised a question about any land takings needed for the modern streetcar. Response was made that no takings are envisioned though there will be some encroachment on private property at a sorority house on campus at 2nd and Cherry and that this would be mitigated in cooperation with the owners. In some other instances where turns are to be made, access to right-of-way owned by the University will be sought.
After discussion was completed, the Community Liaison Group unanimously and wholeheartedly supported the recommendation to move forward with the modern streetcar option.
Staff said that the CLG members would be informed of an open house in early November and subsequent consideration by Mayor and Council.
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