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Title:	Mass Transit Could Be In CYMPO's Future
Author:	Paula Rhoden
Source:	The Daily Courier
Date:	October 21, 2006

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Tri-Cities Eligible To Receive $1.9M For Mass Transit
 
PRESCOTT-- The Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization is eligible to receive more than $600,000 annually from the Federal Transportation Administration. In fact, CYMPO has a four-year backlog of about $1.9 million.

To access the money, CYMPO must approve a transit service.

Transit consultant Nelson/Nygaard Associates said Wednesday evening that a regional transit study indicates a demand for public transportation. He said those most likely to ride a bus prefer a fixed-route service.


"What really caught our eye is that local non-profit agencies have a strong interest in coordinating with public transit," Nygaard said.

He said local governments and human services spend more than $500,000 annually on passenger transportation.

Nygaard presented three service alternatives (see Transit Service Alternates) to the CYMPO Board of Directors, including a full-coverage fixed-route system with complementary paratransit; a regional fixed-routed system with local general public dial-a-ride; and a regional fixed-route system with a modified user-side subsidy program.

Neighborhood Routes
The full-coverage fixed-route system would provide three regional routes connecting Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, Prescott and Prescott Valley. Three local routes would cover Prescott and Prescott Valley neighborhoods.

Nygaard said federal regulations require complementary paratransit as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Paratransit must serve destinations within three-fourth of a mile of a bus route and be available whenever the fixed routes are running.

Alternative 2 and 3 include the same regional fixed routes as alternative 1.

Alternative 2 includes a local general public dial-a-ride serving neighborhood destinations and transfer points in Prescott and Prescott Valley. It also includes complementary paratransit service.

Alternative 3 offers a restructured side subsidy program replacing the Northern Arizona Council of Governments voucher system.

Nygaard said CYMPO could receive money from the FTA and the Local Transportation Assistance Fund. He said an untapped source of money might be local service agencies, which spend $300,000 to $400,000 for transportation.

Public Hearings Planned
Nygaard plans to conduct public hearings Nov. 14 to 16 in Chino Valley, Prescott and Prescott Valley. After identifying community support for an alternative, Nygaard said in January he would present the executive board with a consensus recommendation.

Chairman Karen Fann asked if the study indicated areas of support for a transit system.

Nygaard said, "Transit is about density. A bus system should do well in central Prescott Valley, which has the most density, and central Prescott. There is a strong interest from human service agencies that have daily contact with people having transportation needs."

Fann asked about the capital investment for buses and bus barns.

Nygaard said a small bus costs about $65,000 and alternative 1 would require 14 buses. He said bus barns could be small until the system is completely up and rolling.

"Usually bus barns are popular because they bring in jobs, brick and mortar. I would recommend working out of a temporary location until you are sure the system will take," Nygaard said.

Fann said she would like to see "realistic start-up costs. It is going to be expensive and voters will have to decide how to pay for it."

David Quinn of the Northern Arizona Interfaith Council said it would be helpful to understand the lifecycle of the system and whether it would be possible to start with alternative 3 and build to alternative 2.


Contact the reporter at prhoden@prescottaz.com