Phoenix: survey about new transit funding, new light rail & BRT

The city of Phoenix is conducting a survey regarding new light rail, new streetcar, new BRT and improvements to current transit services, as well as necessary funding.

The Citizens Committee on the Future of Phoenix Transportation recommended a 0.75% sales tax to replace the current 0.4% local sales tax, which is the main source of current transit funding but will expire, so some might think new transit funding is necessary:

The plan comes as Phoenix's current transit tax, known as Transit 2000, is set to expire in 2020.

[...]

The expiration of the current tax without some type of extension would lead to an estimated 60 percent reduction in bus and light rail service, according to the city, and the halting of plans for 23 new miles of light rail.

"There would be no way to pay for those services," [spokesman for Phoenix Public Transit Department, Matthew] Heil said.

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source:

Light rail, streetcar focus of proposed Phoenix sales tax

February 7, 2015

By Brenna Goth

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2015/02/07/light-rail-streetcar-focus-proposed-city-sales-tax/22988689/

Everyone interested can let the Phoenix Public Transit and Street Transportation Departments know what they think regarding transit in Phoenix at a special website:

http://www.talktransportation.org

Especially, there is a survey being conducted, asking specifically about which new light rail routes, new BRT routes or which improvements to bus service are important to respondents, as well as which kind of funding would be preferred.

While everything seems to be about improvements regarding pedestrians, bike infrastructure or transit, some could possibly be skeptical if question 6 seems to open the door for the transit funding possibly being spent on other, not transit-related road or highway improvements (as worded "additional funding for major maintenance and transportation projects, mobility improvements", also specially mentioning "pavement conditions"):

6. Street Improvements: With the aim of improving the current quality of streets, please select below EITHER street improvements that should be carried out to ensure better accessibility, pavement conditions, walkability, and bikability. (Select one option) Street Improvements - Street upgrades focused on maintenance and accessibility improvements within major transit corridors, to include new asphalt pavement and striping, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, street lighting, landscaping, and traffic signal enhancements.
Enhanced Street Improvements- Street upgrades focused on maintenance and accessibility improvements within major transit corridors plus additional funding for major maintenance and transportation projects, mobility improvements and technology enhancements.

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