Title
October 2024 Proposed Bus Service Improvements (Ordinance S-51285)
Description
This report requests the City Council authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to implement the October 2024 bus service changes. If approved, the service changes will take effect October 28, 2024.
Report
Summary
The Public Transit Department (PTD) is proposing to modify the east end of Route 13 (Buckeye Road) to terminate at the PHX Sky Train 24th Street Station, near 24th Street and Buckeye Road. This modification was requested by the Phoenix Aviation Department due to their upcoming planning and environmental study needs for on-site capital projects, and which would remove duplicative service with Sky Train service between 24th Street and Terminal 3, as well as alleviating vehicle congestion on Sky Harbor Boulevard.
In addition, the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) is requesting Valley Metro to extend Route 77 (Baseline Road) west to 83rd Avenue and Sunshine Road to service the GRIC Community Service Center. Route 77 operates in, and is funded by, the cities of Phoenix, Mesa, and Tempe.
Brief description of proposed changes
- Route 13 (Buckeye Road): Modify east end of the route to terminate at the PHX Sky Train 24th Street Station. Remove service on Buckeye Road and Sky Harbor Boulevard between 24th Street and Terminal 3.
- Route 77 (Baseline Road): Extend the west end of the route 83rd Avenue to serve the Gila River Indian Community Service Center.
See maps in Attachment A.
Current Route Description
- Route 13: The route runs on Buckeye Road between 75th Avenue (to the west) and former site of Sky Harbor Airport Terminal 2 (to the east).
- Route 77: Valley Metro operates the route on Baseline Road between 75th Avenue in Phoenix, to the West Mesa Park and Ride at Country Club Drive.
Proposed Changes
- Route 13: Modify the east end of the route to terminate at the PHX Sky Train 24th Street Station and remove duplicative service on Buckeye Road and Sky Harbor Boulevard between 24th Street and Terminal 3. Bus passengers would use the PHX Sky Train to access airport terminals. The PHX Sky Train extension to the Rental Car Center, via the 24th Street Station, was opened in December 2022. Since then, Route 13 passengers have had the option to either alight the bus at 24th Street and use the PHX Sky Train to access the airport terminals, or continue to ride the bus to the end of the route near the former Terminal 2 site. With the proposal to end Route 13 at the 24th Street Sky Train Station, riders can continue to make connections via the Sky Train to access the Sky Harbor Airport Car Rental Center, Terminal 3, and Terminal 4.
- Route 77: Extend the route westward to 83rd Avenue to serve the GRIC Community Service Center. The extension is one mile in each direction, most of it within the jurisdiction of the GRIC. If approved, the extension would increase Phoenix revenue miles by 0.2 miles, per trip in each direction.
Service Equity Analysis
Per Federal Transit Administration regulations, a Title VI Service Equity Analysis on each proposed service change was conducted to analyze if the proposed change causes a disparate impact on minority populations or yields a disproportionate burden towards low-income populations. According to the established major service change policy for the region, none of the service change proposals for October 2024 qualifies as a major service change, therefore no further Title VI analysis is needed. Details of the analysis for the proposed October 2024 proposed service change is included (Attachment B).
Public Input Process
The Public Transit Department used the locally adopted public outreach process to solicit public feedback on proposed service changes.
The public input process took place from May 6 to June 7. Phoenix and Valley Metro staff conducted outreach utilizing posters and A-Frame signs placed at key areas along each route to notify the public of the proposed changes and direct passengers to visit Valley Metro’s website and submit comments. The proposed changes were also advertised via social media and on-board bus public messaging announcements. A hybrid public hearing was held on May 22 at Valley Metro’s offices and virtually for the public to attend.
Overall, 46 total comments and suggestions were received about Phoenix’s proposed service changes, with 31 registering either a positive or negative option on each service change proposal. The result of the public input by route are as follows:
Route 13 - Terminate route at PHX Sky Train 24th Street Station:
- 13 Support (87%)
- 2 Against (13%)
Route 77 - Extend route to 83rd Avenue in Gila River Indian Community:
- 15 Support (94%)
- 1 Against (6%)
Based on the feedback received, PTD is recommending all proposed service changes.
Financial Impact
The proposed service changes will decrease PTD's operating budget expense by $133,000 annually.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was recommended for approval at:
- The Citizens Transportation Commission on June 27, 2024, by a vote of 8-0.
Location
Council Districts: 7 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.