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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Forty-eighth Legislature – First Regular Session

                                                            INTERIM MEETING

BLUE RIBBON TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Minutes of Meeting

Thursday, October 25, 2007

SHR 109  --  1:30 p.m.

Co-Chair Gould and Co-Chair Biggs called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. and attendance was noted by the secretary.

Members Present

Senator Tim Bee                                             Representative John Nelson

Senator Robert Blendu                                   Representative Tom Prezelski

Co-Chair Senator Ron Gould                         Co-Chair Representative Andy Biggs

Members Absent

Senator Pamela Gorman

Senator Rebecca Rios

Representative Jim Weiers

VALLEY METRO RAIL:  PRESENTATION ON LIGHT RAIL

John Farry, Director, Government & Community Relations, Valley Metro Rail (Metro), narrated a Presentation on Light Rail (Attachment 1).

Mr. Farry responded to questions posed by Committee members as follows:

• He said he would provide data at a future time regarding the current number of Dallas light rail ridership, and the number of cumulative mass transit ridership prior to the opening of the light rail.
• He said he did not have specific information on whether riders of the light rail include elderly and disabled persons who may be unable to drive a car.  He said he would provide that data to the Committee at a future time.
• Metro is trying to build the light rail on budget.  Data to be included in the performance audit will be collected after the start of operations.
• The Metro full funding grant agreement with the Federal Transit Administration established a budget of $1.4 billion.  Therefore, the cost per mile for light rail would be $70 million.
• The cost to ride the light rail will be the same as the cost for local bus fare.
• The light rail does stop for traffic lights.

MARICOPA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (MAG)/ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (ADOT):  PRESENTATION ON COMMUTER RAIL STUDY

Kevin Wallace, MAG, narrated the MAG Commuter Rail Strategic Plan (Attachment 2).  He answered questions posed by Committee members as follows:

• Long distance rail would require that other transit options be available for passengers to reach their final destination.

Senator Blendu stated his understanding was that the Blue Ribbon Transportation Committee would develop a statewide plan for transportation.  He said he is not sure it is the State’s job to furnish local/regional buses and light rail. 

Representative Nelson stated the Committee should be aware of history as well as current transportation needs.  He said a composite of transportation systems should include major streets and freeway systems.

Representative Prezelski said local communities must receive Legislative authorization for many transportation projects.

Senator Blendu said he believes a commuter rail system should be part of a transportation plan.

Co-Chair Gould moved, without objection, that the minutes of the October 2, 2007 Blue Ribbon Transportation Committee be approved.

Victor Mendez, Director, ADOT, narrated a presentation on State Passenger and Freight Rail Strategies (Attachment 3).  Mr. Mendez responded to questions posed by Committee members as follows:

• Several years ago, the Legislature appropriated $650,000 for acquisition of a rail line that was expected to be abandoned in the west valley.   However, the line was not abandoned, and during the 2007 session, a bill was passed that allocated the $650,000 to help cover the costs of ADOT studies.
• The statewide planning effort with regard to rail does include smaller towns and cities in both southern Arizona and the entire State.

THE REASON FOUNDATION: PRESENTATION ON COMMUTER AND LIGHT RAIL

Leonard C. Gilroy, Director of Government Reform, Reason Foundation, narrated a presentation on Mass Transit’s Potential for Meeting Arizona’s Mobility Needs (Attachment 4), and Mass Transit’s Role and Potential for Providing Mobility to Arizona Residents and Businesses (Attachment 5).  He answered questions posed by Committee members as follows:

· He said most commuters make several stops to and/or from their work sites.

Co-Chair Biggs noted that more than 95 percent of people employed in the Valley do not work in the central business corridor, or anywhere along the light rail route.  Major employers are located throughout the Valley.  He said bus lines can be moved, but rail lines cannot be changed.

Representative McClure stated the Committee must address the need for public transportation to encourage those citizens who cannot afford automobiles.

Mr. Gilroy answered further questions posed by Committee members as follows:

· The 2007 Journal of Urban Economics study expected a pushback from rail advocates.  One discovery was that people attracted to light rail service were in the $50,000 per year income bracket.  A shift from bus to light rail could affect the lower income population by lessening their mobility.

· There are privatization and public/private partnerships moving forward in a variety of ways within transit services.

· In Las Vegas, where the bus services are privatized, the services still operate at a deficit that is subsidized by the taxpayer.

· There is an existing network of toll roads in Houston.

· In some areas, it appears as if toll revenues can cover the operating costs of HOT lanes.

· The installation of HOT lanes in Houston did not require a public vote.

The issue of government built transportation systems, particularly relating to toll roads, versus privately built transportation systems, was discussed by Committee members.

Mr. Gilroy completed his presentation.

ADOT: PRESENTATION ON BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE

Victor Mendez, Director, ADOT, narrated a presentation on Bridge Improvements and Maintenance (Attachment 6).  He answered questions posed by Committee members as follows:

• When a State Highway System roadway project is undertaken, any existing bridge problems would be corrected. There would not be separate projects for incorporated improvements.

ADOT:  PRESENTATION ON MOVEAZ 20-YEAR TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Victor Mendez, Director, ADOT, narrated a presentation on MOVEAZ 20-Year Transportation Plan (Exhibit 7).   He answered questions posed by Committee members as follows:

• He said ADOT projects $10 billion to $12 billion to be funded within the 20-Year Plan, and probably the same amount is unfunded.
• The maintenance component of bridges and highways must be addressed, and until additional revenues for transportation are provided, more and more existing revenues will be moved toward maintenance, with less funding going to new capacity and major improvements.

The ADOT Discussion of Transportation Framework Study Issues was postponed until the next meeting of the Committee.

Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 4:48 p.m.

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Yvette O’Connor, Committee Secretary

October 25, 2007

(Original minutes, attachments and audio on file in the Office of the Chief Clerk; video archives available at http://www.azleg.gov/)

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                        BLUE RIBBON TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

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                        October 25, 2007

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