The public will have an opportunity to voice its opinion about cutbacks proposed by Valley Metro at a first round of meetings on Feb. 23 and March 1.
People are encouraged to attend so they can tell officials what they feel is most important about public transit, said Sue Taaffe, marketing coordinator for the city of Tempe.
Last year’s operational cost of Tempe public transit was $46 million. The potential cutbacks would reduce that number to $30 million, she said.
This first round of meetings will be an overview, laying out proposals for cutbacks among the light rail, Orbit buses and express buses, Taaffe said.
Possible changes could include eliminating or modifying bus routes, reducing the frequency of service for the light rail and buses and the elimination of late-night Friday light rail service, she said.
David Bradley, a finance senior, said he rides the bus to and from campus every weekday.
It’s important to keep the same bus schedules because commuters won’t be able to get to class and back home in time for other arrangements, he said.
The Feb. 23 and March 1 meetings are open to every public transit rider. Officials will then make decisions based on what the public finds most important, Taaffe said.
Patrick Barry, a political science senior, said he rides the Orbit three days a week.
“On campus, parking is so expensive — I rely on the buses to get to class,” he said.
The transit system is funded primarily by a half-cent sales tax. Sales tax revenues have dramatically decreased, causing Tempe to reevaluate the transit system to make it more efficient in order to reduce costs, according to the Tempe in Motion Web site.
Once officials make decisions after the first meetings, a second round of meetings will be held on March 29 and 30 to formally announce proposed cutbacks, Taaffe said.
Barry had simple advice for the officials, which he said was on behalf of all transit riders.
“Don’t cut back on the Orbits, because people appreciate the free buses,” he said.
Officials talked about imposing fees for the Orbit, even though it was started as a free service to Tempe, Barry said.
“People need to go to the meetings to express their opinions,” he said.
Reach the reporter at mmbarke1@asu.edu
