Title
Public Transit Department Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2024-25 through 2029-30
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee with information on the Public Transit Department’s proposed fiscal years 2024-25 through 2029-30 Capital Improvement Program, an integral component of the department’s efforts to implement the public transit elements of the Transportation 2050 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 operating and 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) 2025-30 CIP, as well as revised estimates for the FY 2024-25 CIP budget. Combined, the FY 2024-25 and preliminary five-year CIP for PTD totals approximately $1.6 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 Plan, approved 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.
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. The PTD CIP includes:
- Construction of new facilities.
- Bus stop improvements, including adding shade, furniture and transit pads.
- Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) infrastructure and vehicles.
- Buses, including zero emission buses, to replace aging vehicles.
- Updated technology.
- Renovation of older facilities to extend their useful lives.
- Expansion of light rail infrastructure.
- Purchase of light rail vehicles in concert with regional partners.
PTD’s CIP is fully funded, primarily with funds from the Federal Transit Administration, regional Propositions 400 and future 479 transportation taxes, and Phoenix Transportation 2050 (T2050).
The PTD CIP relies on federal formula funding as well as competitive Capital Investment Grants for large projects such as light rail expansion. Additionally, the regional Proposition 479 sales tax for transportation was approved by voters in November 2024 and will contribute to bus and BRT capital costs. PTD continues to closely manage all resources to ensure a balanced program, while meeting the community’s public transit needs and maintaining system assets in good repair.
Current Year (FY 2024-25) Projects
There are several important projects programmed in the current fiscal year CIP budget, including:
- South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail construction project.
- Capitol Extension light rail project design.
- The regional fare collection system upgrade project.
- Community outreach and preliminary (15%) design for the first BRT project.
- Installation of new shade shelters at bus stops.
- Purchasing newer-propulsion hybrid and zero-emission buses.
- Acquisition of land for a new bus operations and maintenance facility in north Phoenix.
Future Projects
In FY 2025-30, there are planned BRT infrastructure projects, ongoing improvements for bus stops and other passenger facilities, as well as the construction of the Capitol Extension light rail project and project design elements for the I-10 West Extension light rail project. Construction 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 will construct a new bus operations and maintenance facility in north Phoenix.
Financial Impact
Over the past 10 years, PTD’s CIP budget has grown in support of the voter-approved T2050 plan, increasing from $123.6 million to over $1.6 billion, with $387.5 million programmed in the preliminary CIP for 2024-25, see Attachment A. In addition, Attachment B provides a summary of the proposed current FY 2024-25 project categories for public transit and Attachment C provides the total estimated PTD CIP budget by funding source.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.