There is a need to restructure the SR-51 RAPID service and the Downtown DASH service to provide new service to CityNorth and eliminate the DASH evening service. For the SR-51 RAPID restructure, this change of an additional 6.4 miles of service is proposed to be funded by eliminating two evening trips in the SR-51 corridor. For the Downtown DASH service, the Downtown Phoenix Partnership plans to implement an evening service for their downtown customer base that will run similarly to the service currently being operated by the City. The Downtown Phoenix Partnership’s proposed downtown trolley service will provide service during the evening hours.

OTHER INFORMATION

SR-51 RAPID

Bus Rapid Transit, called RAPID, is a successful major component of the voter-approved Transit 2000 plan passed in March 2000. The RAPID system, initially launched in July 2003, has significantly improved commuter bus service by providing faster service, more frequent trips, longer hours of operation, new and upgraded park-and-ride facilities, a new fleet of dedicated buses, and a distinctive image and identity for our loyal customer base. In August 2008, approximately 82,000 passengers used RAPID service and over 3,800 specifically used RAPID service in the SR-51 corridor. Staff is continuing to look at the entire program to enhance productivity.

Staff has analyzed the need for transit service to CityNorth when it opens later this year. CityNorth is a 144-acre, multiphase, mixed-use community located at the southeast corner of 52^nd Street and Deer Valley Drive in Council District 2. Currently, the SR-51 RAPID route brings passengers into the downtown from either the Bell Road/SR-51 Park-and-Ride, located at the southwest corner of Bell Road and SR-51 or the Paradise Valley Mall Transit Center, located at the southwest corner of Tatum Boulevard and Paradise Village Parkway. In order to serve CityNorth, staff recommends extending the northern point of origin of the route that begins at the Paradise Valley Mall Transit Center to now originate from CityNorth. To service future RAPID passengers, an enhanced bus stop east of the signalized Marriot Drive and Deer Valley Drive intersection is being completed by the developer of CityNorth. This area is central to the development and will provide a strong connection to CityNorth, Desert Ridge Marketplace, and the Marriott Hotel. Dedicated parking for transit passengers is located in the parking garage on floors 3, 4, and 5 built as part of CityNorth Phase I. If approved, the new 6.4 miles of RAPID service to CityNorth would begin on December 29, 2008.

Staff will coordinate this change with the CityNorth’s marketing staff and conduct in-person outreach to area businesses in November and December.

DASH Downtown

The Public Transit Department has operated the DASH circulator since 1990. DASH provides a free transportation option in the downtown area. DASH service was upgraded in July 2008 to include a dual-loop system and received City Council approval on June 10, 2008. The "government loop" connects Downtown/Central Station and the Arizona State Capitol. The "downtown loop" focuses on the education, neighborhood, biomedical, and hospitality destinations in the heart of downtown. Both loops operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every 12 minutes; the Downtown Loop operates between 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. every 20 minutes. In August 2008, over 38,000 passengers used DASH service. The Downtown Phoenix Partnership plans to implement an evening service for their downtown customer base that will run similar to the service currently being operated by the City. Staff recommends eliminating DASH Downtown evening service and reducing the budget accordingly. The Downtown Phoenix Partnership’s proposed downtown trolley service will provide service during the evening hours.

RECOMMENDATION

City staff recommends restructuring the SR-51 RAPID to provide service to CityNorth beginning on December 29, 2008. Staff does not anticipate any additional cost associated with the restructuring of the SR-51 RAPID. In addition, staff recommends eliminating DASH evening service and, as a result, service hours will be changed to operate between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. for both DASH routes.

CITY COUNCIL REPORT
CONSENT AGENDA
TO:	Thomas E. Callow, P.E. Deputy City Manager	AGENDA DATE:		December 2, 2008
FROM:	Debbie Cotton Public Transit Director	ITEM:	1
SUBJECT:	RESTRUCTURING SR-51 RAPID AND DOWNTOWN DASH SERVICE

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