Metro Light Rail is researching alternative methods of transportation for the city of Tempe, like a streetcar or a rapid bus transit system, said Hillary Foose, spokeswoman for Metro Light Rail.
Metro Light Rail budgets for 57 miles of high capacity transit, but the current light-rail system takes up only 20 of the miles in the budget, Foose said.
The new proposed plans for Tempe would use a small portion of the budget — or 3 miles — for the project called the Tempe South Project, she said.
“The streetcar would be an extension off of the current light rail,” Foose said, “but would look more like a trolley car like in San Francisco and they would also stop more frequently.”
A rapid bus transit system would be similar to the current light rail system in that it would have its own lane and have priority at stoplights to speed up travel time, she said.
“Both of these options are under [further] evaluation, which includes a more detailed analysis, evaluation of potential passengers, as well as recommended routes,” Foose said.
Due to the limited budget, only one of the two options is likely to be pursued, Foose said, but it will only be after more extensive research is done for both options.
Amanda Nelson, the community outreach and marketing supervisor for Metro Light Rail, said officials are making progress in deciding on the new forms of transportation.
“The goal is to provide a high-capacity public transportation option for Tempe,” she said.
The ultimate goal of this project is to connect south Tempe to the light rail to make it easier for people to get around the Tempe area, Amanda Nelson said.
How much the project is going to cost to build and operate is a problem light rail officials have to consider, she said. The current stage of evaluation includes opportunities for the public to voice its opinion about the proposals, so officials can see which option residents prefer, Amanda Nelson said.
Officials will hopefully reach a decision and begin planning by early 2010, she said.
Marketing sophomore Adrienne Nelson said she takes the Orbit buses up to five days a week to campus from her apartment. The benefit of the buses, she said, is that it’s convenient for people who can’t afford to get a bus pass or a light-rail pass.
“Sometimes I have to drive my car to campus because the buses are so full and I’ll be late to class if I wait for the next one,” she said.
If another transportation option came more frequently and had more space, Adrienne Nelson said she would use it.
“I would definitely like it better than the buses,” she said.
Reach the reporter at paige.soucie@asu.edu.
