Fall 2012

T h e b l u e S k y V i e wA p u b l i c A t i o n o f v A l l e y m e t r o b u s i n e s s s e r v i c e s

RIDESHARE MONTH 2012

Valley Metro will celebrate Rideshare Month in October, encouraging Valley residents to try transit, carpooling, biking, walking or teleworking.

Employers across the Valley are invited to participate by making the pledge, tracking alternative mode commutes, competing with other employers and entering to win great prizes!

The more who participate, the more savings, reduced pollution and traffic congestion.

Look inside the Fall Transportation Coordinator Kit for entry forms and details, or visit ValleyMetro.org.

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ShareTheRide.com

Celebrate Rideshare MonthOctober 1-31, 2012

carpool | vanpool | BUS | light rail | telework | Bike | walk

Sponsored by the arizona Departments of environmental Quality and transportation, Maricopa association of governments, Maricopa county air Quality Department and valley Metro rpta.

SERVICE CHANGESOn July 23, 2012, service changes occurred valley-wide, affecting local, Express and RAPID routes.

• VisitValleyMetro.org to view and print routes anytime.

• Foradditionalassistancewithrouteplanning, call customer service at 602.253.5000.

• Forinformationoncarpoolingorvanpooling, go to ShareTheRide.com or contact your Business Services representative.

WILL YOU TAKE THE CHALLENGE?

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Act locAlly on WorlD cArfree DAy

Every September 22, people from around the world come together to remind others to leave their cars at home and try an alternative form of transportation.

The belief is that we do not want just one day of celebration and then a return to “normal” life. It is up to us to help create permanent change to benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and other people who do not drive cars.

Let World Carfree Day be a showcase for just how our cities might look like, feel like, and sound like without cars.

World Carfree Day is the perfect time to take the heat off the planet, and give priority to cycling, walking and public transit.

So take the time, consider transportation options and join in the global movement! For more information and resources, go to www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd. Check out Valley Metro’s Facebook page at facebook.com/valleymetro for updates and a contest for those wish to go car-free!

Zoom circulAtor bus eXpAnDs into tolleson

The neighborhood circulator bus that serves Avondale residents began “zooming” into Tolleson in July. For the first time since the route began service over a year ago, trips are being made on Saturday, giving riders options for using neighborhood transit six days a week.

“Partnering with the City of Avondale on the first anniversary of the ZOOM circulator offers Tolleson residents half-hour service Monday through Friday with an abbreviated schedule on Saturday. This is the first time in our 100 year history that we will be able to provide connectivity to our residents, as well as to our Fortune 500 employers and our local businesses,” said Mayor Adolfo F. Gámez. “As a full service community to our 6,541 residents we are pleased to add this connectivity from Tolleson to the YMCA.”

ZOOM expanded travel between the areas of Gateway Pavillions, at 99th Avenue and McDowell Road, and Estrella Mountain Community College, near Thomas and Dysart roads. New stops include the Southwest Valley YMCA, Tolleson City Hall and Tolleson Crossings.

For compete route information, go to ValleyMetro.org.

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Many companies in the Trip Reduction Program (TRP) have more than one participating site. While these sites have

one TRP annual plan to comply with, it takes extra effort to manage additional sites’ alternative mode users, reporting, communications, etc. Submitting an extra form each year that accompanies the annual TRP plan, multiple bulletin boards and holding duplicate drawings are examples.

Marlene Hunter, Field Human Resources and Transportation Coordinator for Applebee’s, knows this process well. In addition to her main role that requires her to travel to five states and oversee activities at 88 stores, Ms. Hunter implements a TRP plan for 13 eligible stores.

Ms. Hunter describes some of the challenges of running a multi-site TRP: “The main challenge is our industry. We do not have a typical office setting that is conducive to holding meetings with employees to get the word out about trip reduction. Also, the nature of our business caters to customers, so incentives like carpool spaces are not a good fit because we want customers to have preferential parking.”

Applebee’s TRP is successful due to several factors. Ms. Hunter explains, “The key is to have a simple plan that is easy to interpret for managers and for employees to participate in. We have a low turnover rate so the TRP message is repeated year after by the same staff. Having support from upper management is critical; we simply do not take ‘no’ for an answer.

We also take the time to customize our incentives for our employees. If we have participants who enjoy bike riding, we’ll provide a new bike for the contest winner, as opposed to a generic prize. We will also wait until the winner is selected to choose a bike that is designed for the gender.” Applebee’s was the winner of the Bike Program Clean Air Campaign Award 2010.

The combination of their streamlined processes, consistency among each store, and compassion for its employees and the objectives of TRP – cleaner air and reduced traffic congestion - lead to a smooth operation when it comes to managing multiple sites.

MANAGING MULTIPLE SITES IN THE TRIP REDUCTION PROGRAM

Left to right: CJ Schneider Valley Metro Business Services Representative, Northwest Valley

Marlene Hunter Field Human Resources and Transportation Coordinator, Applebee’s

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TO TRP EMPLOYERS WHO REACHED THEIR 60% TARGET

Valley Metro and the Maricopa County Trip Reduction Program (TRP) would like to congratulate and recognize the TRP employers who have recently met or exceeded

their drive-alone rate and/or miles traveled goals at one or more worksites. Following is a list of the TRP employers who achieved the 60% floor:

MAY 2012 Dignity Health

Food for the Hungry

Lewis & Roca

Roosevelt Schools

VH Lassen

The Gap - Western Fulfillment

JUNE 2012: Assa Abloy

Dolphin, Inc.

Matson Navigation

Outback Steakhouse - Metrocenter

PF Changs Waterfront, Tempe

Taser International

Thornwood Furniture

Valley Metro – RPTA, Customer Service

Congratulations

Save time and money when you buy your pass before boarding the bus or light rail. There are now over 600 locations valley-wide where you can purchase your pass. For a complete list of retail locations, along with the types of passes available and store hours, visit ValleyMetro.org.

BUY YOUR TRANSIT PASS BEFORE YOU BOARD AND SAVE

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The Blue Sky View newsletter is a publication of Valley Metro and is available online at ValleyMetro.org.

ValleyMetro.org 602.262.RIDE (7433) TTY: 602.251.2039

Become a fan of Valley Metro on Facebook.

Travel with us on Twitter.

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2012

25th AnnuAl cleAn Air cAmpAiGn AWArDs

& luncheon

cAll for nominAtions The 2012 Clean Air Awards’ Call for Nominations is now underway. Help us honor the individuals and organizations who have made—and are still making—extraordinary efforts to create a brighter future for the Valley’s residents and visitors. The award’s honorees have significantly reduced air pollution and traffic congestion by supporting clean air programs and encouraging the use of alternative modes of transportation, including riding transit, biking, teleworking and more. Please join Valley Metro, SRP, and other community leaders in recognizing their efforts by nominating them for a prestigious Clean Air Campaign Award. We look forward to receiving your nominations.

People’s Choice Bulletin Board Submission Deadline Wednesday, August 22, 2012, 5:00 p.m.

Nomination Deadline Wednesday, August 29, 2012, 5:00 p.m. Go to ValleyMetro.org to download the nomination materials.

presentAtion of AWArDs Wednesday, October 31, 2012 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Grand Sonoran Ballroom 5350 East Marriott Drive Phoenix, AZ 85054

reGistrAtionDeadline for online registration is Wednesday, October 24, 2012. Cost: Tickets: $30 each or $275 per table of 10 After September 30, 2012Tickets: $40 each or $375 per table of 10

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neW to the trip reDuction proGrAm?

Valley Metro offers a free interactive workshop for new Transportation Coordinators (TCs) each month. The class is designed to provide an overview of the Trip Reduction Program and explain your role as the TC. Attendees will receive a comprehensive training manual.

Registration is required. To register, or if you have questions, please contact Jeff Reid at 602.523.6074 or jreid@valleymetro.org.

Upcoming training classes: 9:00 am – 11:30 am • Tuesday,August14 • Tuesday,September25 • Wednesday,October17 • Wednesday,November14 Please note that there is no class in December.

Location:101N.1stAvenuePhoenix,AZ8500313thfloor,METROboardroom

AnAll-daypassisavailable uponrequestatnocharge toregistrants.

Parking:Thereislimitedvisitorparkingavailable.Ifvisitorparkingisfull,youcanparkatthe21W.VanBurenparkinggarageandwalkoneblocksouthto101N.1stAve.ParkingatthesetwolocationswillbevalidatedifyoudonotoptforanAll-daytransitpass.Uponregistration,adetailedmapandinstructionswillbeemailedtoyou.

TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR ASSOCIATION (TCA) MEETINGS TCA meetings are a great venue to hear about current events happening at Valley Metro, our member cities and partners, and how they can impact your Trip Reduction Program. We encourage you to attend and network with other Transportation Coordinators in your area.

meeting times & locations: • Meetingsareheldfrom8:30am–10:00am • Webinarsareheldfrom10:00am–11:00am approximately

Locations and Addresses SW VALLEY: swift transportation, 2200 S. 75th Avenue, Phoenix, 85043

NE VALLEY: town of paradise valley, Police Department, 6433 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, 85253

NW VALLEY: u.s. bureau of reclamation, 6150 W. Thunderbird, Glendale, 85306

SE VALLEY: city of chandler, 175 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, 85225

CENTRAL CITY: phoenix Art museum (Wolfswinkel Education Center Board Room), 1625 N. Central, Phoenix, 85012

MONTH SW VALLEY NE VALLEY NW VALLEY SE VALLEY CENTRAL CITY WEBINAR

AUgUSt Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting 8/22

SePteMber 9/5 9/11 9/19 9/20 9/27 9/26

OCtOber 10/3 10/9 10/17 10/18 10/25 10/24

NoVeMBeR Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting 11/28

DeCeMBeR Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting 12/12

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