Title
Public Transit Department Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2025-26 through 2030-31 - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee with information on the Public Transit Department’s proposed fiscal years 2025-26 through 2030-31 Capital Improvement Program, an integral component of the department’s efforts to implement the public transit elements of the Transportation 2050 (T2050) program and provide safe and reliable public transit services to the community.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
The Public Transit Department (PTD) and its regional transit partners work collaboratively to provide public transit services to the region. Capital infrastructure is a critical component of supporting the regional transit system. Each year, PTD’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes the projected costs for capital infrastructure projects and their funding sources, including the region’s financial share of projects. PTD has prepared and submitted to the Budget and Research Department its preliminary fiscal years (FY) 2026-31 CIP, as well as revised estimates for the FY 2025-26 CIP budget. Combined, the FY 2025-26 and preliminary five-year CIP for PTD total approximately $1.8 billion.
The PTD CIP is developed to support economic development, regional mobility, environmental sustainability, and to mitigate safety risks for transit passengers, staff, and contractors. Additionally, the PTD CIP budget supports the initiatives of the T2050 Program, approved and funded by voters through Proposition 104 in August 2015. Public Transit staff continue to work with the Citizens Transportation Commission, appointed by the Mayor and City Council, to implement the T2050 Plan.
In addition to T2050 sales tax proceeds, the PTD CIP is funded by Federal Transit Administration and regional funds, including Proposition 400 and 479 transportation taxes.
The scope of PTD’s CIP includes new facilities and infrastructure to expand and enhance the transit system, as well as upgrades and capital purchases to maintain the system in a state of good repair per federal guidelines.
Last year, large initiatives funded through the PTD CIP included expanded light rail service to south Phoenix through the South Central Extension and Downtown Hub project, creating a two-line light rail system for the first time in Phoenix, and the modernization of the fare payment system, providing reloadable and mobile payment options for bus and rail riders. Additionally, 25.5 acres of land was purchased in north Phoenix for a future bus operations and maintenance yard. Upgrade and maintenance funded through the CIP included the addition of 80 new bus shelters and the replacement of 35 bus shelters. Phoenix’s first electric and hybrid buses were also purchased to support the transition to a lower-emission fleet.
Current Year (FY 2025-26) Projects
There are several important projects programmed in the current fiscal year CIP budget, including:
- Relocation of Central Station staff and functions to the new Greg Stanton Central Station in a mixed-use development in downtown Phoenix.
- Closing out the Northwest Extension Phase II and South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail construction projects.
- Capitol Extension light rail project design.
- Closing out the fare collection system modernization project.
- Community outreach and preliminary design for Phoenix’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
- Project design for a new bus operations and maintenance facility in north Phoenix.
- Installation of new shade shelters at bus stops.
- Continued replacement of end-of-life buses with new, lower emission buses.
Future Projects
Projects in the FY 2026-31 CIP include planned BRT infrastructure build-out, ongoing improvements for bus stops and passenger facilities, as well as the construction of the Capitol Extension light rail project and design elements for the I-10 West Extension light rail project. Final project close-out for the South Central/Downtown Hub light rail extension, as well as the Northwest Phase II light rail extension, are programmed to be completed within this timeframe. In addition, the department is planning to construct a new bus operations and maintenance facility in north Phoenix.
Financial Impact
The PTD’s CIP continues to grow in support of the T2050 plan implementation, with over $1.8 billion programmed over the next five years.
Attachment A provides the annual PTD CIP budget since adoption of the T2050 plan in 2015. Attachment B provides a summary of the proposed current FY 2025-26 project categories for public transit. Attachment C provides the total estimated PTD CIP budget by funding source.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Amber Williamson and the Public Transit Department.