Local transit fans get encouraging news

An expanded local transit system for the Green Valley and Sahuarita area is expected to be launched here in early April, one of the leaders of the project predicted Wednesday.

Dick Roberts, former president of Green Valley Community Coordinating Council, chairs the local group promoting improved transit project, the Green Valley/Sahuarita Transit Committee.

Most of the funding and planning comes from PAG, the Pima Association of Governments.

Roberts and about a dozen other local transit movers and shakers met with two PAG officials to hear some of the plans.

It should be possible soon, Roberts said, for a Green Valley or Sahuarita resident to catch public transportation to the Tucson Airport, paying only one fare, and making just one transfer. He can reverse that trip when his travels are over.

Representing PAG Wednesday were Jeremy A. Papuga, short range transportation planning team lead, and Jennifer O’Connor, senior transportation planner. They talked about some of the research providing data to help design the local system.

Roberts said eventually public transportation service will be extended to southeast Green Valley especially when the East Frontage Road is completed. He also said there are plans to expand to the area southwest of Camino Encanto.

In a post meeting interview Roberts said planners are studying which systems might work best for here, one with transportation offered just five days a week, or with it six days and even seven.

From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 PAG conducted surveys trying to measure potential riders preferences.

PAG received 495 surveys.

One question was: “For our public transit system, I would prefer to ride in:”

a) 12- to 16-passenger bus wheelchair accessible, 40.4 percent;

b) Minivan — wheelchair accessible, 22.5 percent; or

c) Mid-sized car, 11 percent.

Another question asked what incentives would get the person to leave your car at home and use these types of transportation services:

a) no car, 4.6 percent;

b) prices of gas/save money on gas/save gas, 19.2 percent;

c) low cost/cheap/affordable/ price/reasonable price, 26.5 percent;

d) convenience, 30 percent. There were a handful of other options, as well.

The local PAG meeting is scheduled for Jan. 21.

jlamb@gvnews.com | 547-9749