Summer 2012

ALERT

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

summer oZoneApril was Valley Bike Month, and Valley Metro encouraged local residents to use a bike for travel and leisurely trips. With an online contest and more than 14 events held across the Valley, there were plenty of reasons to pedal – fun, fitness, savings and to improve air quality!

Thanks to all who participated and our sponsors. We look forward to Valley Bike Month next year!

summer ozone season has begun. Summer ozone season began April 1 and will last through the end of September. Ozone is an odorless gas that can irritate people’s eyes, nose, throat and respiratory system upon exposure. Ozone pollution is a concern in summer because it is created when heat and sunlight combine with trapped pollutants. Ground level ozone forms when emissions from fossil-fuel fired equipment, industrial and chemical processes, and even household activities react with heat from the sun. More information, risks involved and prevention tips are provided in this packet and can be found by visiting www.CleanAirMakeMore.com.

High pollution Advisories. High Pollution Advisories (HPAs) are issued when air pollution is in danger of exceeding the federal health standard. Here in Maricopa County, elevated levels of pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter in our air pose health risks.

When an HPA is issued, notices are emailed to transportation coordinators (TCs) who have signed up to receive them. At that time, TCs are expected to activate HPA plans to help lower pollution levels. Those plans may include sharing the electronic notice with employees, posting signage, encouraging alternative mode use and rewarding participants with a prize drawing.

You can sign up to receive HPA notices and to view a list of recent HPA days by visiting valleymetro.org/tools_resources/hpa_advisories/.

VALLEY BIKE MONTH IN REVIEW

VALLEY BIKE MONTH IN REVIEW

effective July 23, 2012, there will be changes to transit service valley-wide. Please refer to the summary of changes located inside this packet or visit ValleyMetro.org for the most up-to-date information.

High school art students across the Valley competed recently to have their artwork exhibited on a moving canvas for the 12th annual Bus Wrap contest.

The winning design was produced by Stephen Bielecki, a senior at Pinnacle High School. Stephen’s artwork was chosen out of more than 103 entries submitted by public and charter schools across the Valley. In addition to receiving his winning artwork on a 40-foot bus for one year, he took home various prizes.

Honorable mentions were handed to students from Corona del Sol High School and Metro Tech High School in Phoenix.

The unveiling event took place on April 26 at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix and included a brief presentation with remarks from Valley Metro CEO Steve Banta and Pinnacle High School Principal Jason Reynolds.

“We understand that transit options are important to our youth, and this student-inspired bus wrap is one way to that we can connect to a younger generation,” said Steve Banta, Valley Metro Chief Executive Officer.

“Stephen Bielecki’s artwork was chosen because it is simple yet strong,” said Dolores Nolan, Valley Metro Transit Education Manager. “The image is reminiscent of the American icon, Superman, which exudes strength and confidence in serving the community.”

DESIGN A BUS WRAP CONTEST & UNVEILING

Left to right: Theresa Boettcher - Pinnacle High School Art Teacher Dr. Jason Reynolds - Pinnacle High School PrincipalSteve Banta - Valley Metro Chief Executive Officer Stephen Bielecki - 2012 Bus Wrap Art Contest 1st place winner Stephen Jewell - 2012 Bus Wrap Art Contest 2nd place winner

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Peoria Unified School District #11

Research Specialist/Planning Analyst and

Transportation Coordinator, Christian Williams

and his mother, Sandra Williams at Peoria’s

Pioneer Days Family Bike Ride

For the third year in a row, Transportation Coordinator Christian Williams and his mother Sandra Williams have participated in the Valley Bike Month event, Peoria’s Pioneer Days Family Bike Ride.

Besides setting an example for the Trip Reduction Program participants and alternative mode users at his work place, Mr. Williams gains personal satisfaction by getting involved. He explained, “I enjoy biking for the fun and the scenery, which is why I attend Peoria Pioneer Days. It’s great to go riding through the Historic Old Town area of Peoria and see all of the people enjoying the heart of our community. It’s a nice, slow-paced way of exploring the city.

Also, being Transportation Coordinator for the Peoria Unified School District has been a blast! It is enjoyable to see my colleagues get excited about the prize drawing and the random bit of entertainment I ‘attempt’ to offer them.

This year I became the District coordinator, which has been a learning experience, but it is so insightful to see what site coordinators are doing to drive participation in TRP! It is nice to feel like PUSD. is doing its part to make the Valley a cleaner, healthier, safer, and less congested place. It is another way the District can give back to our community and the ones we care about most.”

cyclinG for more tHAn tHe

cAuse

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FEBRUARY 2012:• AbrazoAdvantageHealthPlan• EqualEmploymentOpportunityComm.• GruberIndustries• NorancoJetProcessing• PricewaterhouseCoopers• SpecialtyTextile• Trendwood–Plant&Warehouse• WestgroupResearch• WyndhamPhoenix (RenaissanceDowntown)

MARCH 2012:• AffilatedComputerServices• BeatitudesCampus• DirttEnvironmental• GraceHealthcare• HiltonPhoenixEast/Mesa• MaricopaAssoc.ofGovernments• MDSCommunications• MeKongMarket• NeutronIndustries• PhoenixModular• RadissonHotelPhoenixAirportNorth• TheSalvationArmy–SWHeadquarters• St.JudeMedical• Terros–1stStreet• UniversalForestProducts• ValleyoftheSunYMCA-Ahwatukee

APRIL 2012:• AlaskaAirlines• CapriCareCenter• DCMA• DesertMtn.Club• EmbassySuitesBiltmore• GustRosenfeldPLC• InternationalCruise&Excursions• Lovitt&Touche• SynergySolutions• UnitedHealthCityScape• USDept.ofInterior–B.I.A.• USDept.ofInterior–B.L.M.

conGrAtulAtions 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:

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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.

buy your trAnsit pAss before you boArD AnD sAve

We are pleased to announce that Circle K signed on as our newest retail partner this

past February. With many stores across the Valley selling local and reduced All-day passes,

passengers have more options than ever for purchasing their transit passes.

For a complete list of retail locations, along with the types of passes available and store hours, visit ValleyMetro.org.

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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:9:00am–11:30am• Tuesday,June26,2012• Wednesday,July11,2012• Tuesday,August14,2012• Tuesday,September25,2012

Location:101N.1stAvenuePhoenix,AZ8500313thfloor,METROboardroom

AnAll-daypassisavailable uponrequestatnocharge toregistrants.

Parking:Thereislimitedvisitorparkingavailable.Ifvisitorparkingisfull,youcanparkatthe21W.VanBurenparkinggarageandwalkoneblocksouthto101N.1stAve.Parkingatthesetwolocationswillbevalidatedif you do not opt for an All-day transit pass.Uponregistration,adetailedmapandinstructionswillbeemailedtoyou.

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

TCA LOCATION LOCATION ADDRESS

SW VALLEY Swift Transportation 2200S.75th Avenue Phoenix,85043

NE VALLEY Town of Paradise Valley PoliceDepartment

6433E.LincolnDrive ParadiseValley,85253

NW VALLEY U.S.BureauofReclamation 6150W.Thunderbird Glendale,85306

SE VALLEY City of Chandler 175S.ArizonaAvenue Chandler,85225

CENTRAL CITYPhoenixArtMuseum WolfswinkelEducation CenterBoardRoom

1625N.Central Phoenix,85012

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

June 6/6 6/12 6/20 6/21 6/28 6/27

July Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting 7/25

August Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting Nomeeting 8/22

TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR ASSOCIATION (TCA) MEETINGS

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