Light Rail in Tucson!




		As we enter the 21st century, Sensible Tucsonans are looking to a transportation plan which can ease congestion, offer real alternatives to the automobile, boost economic development, and unite the community. Here are the main elements of our visionary but practical plan. Light Rail Rapid Transit 13-mile starter line from Pantano along Broadway, up to 6th Street past the University of Arizona, down 6th Avenue through Downtown, and south to the Laos Transit Center, serving many major destinations and activity centers along the extremely well-traveled 8-Broadway bus route. Operating by 2008. BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) 47-mile high-quality express buses extending from Starr Pass to Rita Ranch, Tucson Mall to the Airport, and Park Place Mall to Catalina Highway. Will service Light Rail route until Light Rail line is built; will extend from ends of Light Rail starter line thereafter, possibly as future routes for rail extensions. Operating by 2003. Bus System Expansion 86 additional buses for a system total of 260; headways improve to 10-15 minutes in central city, no more than 20-30 minutes in outer areas; more express buses, new routes and extensions to the Southeast and Northwest sides; entire system streamlined to interface with light rail. Operating by 2003. Commuter Rail Two lines: Marana to Aero Park / Raytheon via Downtown and Downtown to Rita Ranch / Tech Park, running 4 morning trains and 4 evening trains on exisiting Union Pacific track. Operating by 2005. Park-n-Ride Lots Secure and possibly covered parking at major transit stops in outlying areas. VanTran Expansion Additional service area; aditional accessible vehicles; better response time and dependability. Operating by 2003.