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With no input from the citizens of Oro Valley, two Oro Valley employees and two town council members have decided that the Regional Transit Authority should take over the Coyote Run service in 2013. The employees are Greg Cayton, Interim Oro Valley Town Manager, and Amy Ramsey, Oro Valley Town Transit Administrator. The council members are Lou Waters and appointed council person, Steve Solomon.
This was revealed at a Transportation Update Public Hearing last night in Town Council Chambers.
There is no guarantee that the Coyote Run service won't change substantially once it is turned over to RTA. In fact, it is likely that it will change substantially. Once out of the control of Oro Valley, who knows what it will look like?
Certainly, in order for Coyote Run to survive and to be run by the town of Oro Valley, the Town needs to come up with a funding method. Currently, thanks to Council Person Garner, it is funded by the bed tax through June of 2012. After that, there is no funding source.
It is clear to us that only Council Person Garner has any interest in finding this source for our needy citizens so that Oro Valley can continue to run this service. So, turning it over to the RTA is the only resort to assure some funding and some service.
Or said another way: Rather than taking $300,000 out of the public safety budget of $12.5 million to fund Coyote Run, a budget that the Council refused to challenge, the town is willing to throw the transportation needs of our most needy into the hands of others.
Its a pity, really, because Coyote Run does a lot of good.
This is not a "done deal."
We have been told that there will be further public hearings on this before it is presented to council; but with their mind made up, we fear that these hearings will be nothing more than a "charade." Then, the plan will go to Council for approval.
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For those interested, click here to read KOLD's report of the situation. It is the Town's spin on this deal. Essentially they are painting themselves as heroes for Coyote Run.
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1 comment:
I attended the October 24, 2011 Coyote Run Update at Oro Valley Town Council Chambers.
As I walked into the Council Chambers I remembered the old quote “nothing ever really changes”.
Ten years ago Oro Valley was faced with the same identical problem it has today of how to provide for the continuation of the Coyote Run Service.
There is a 62 page Oro Valley Transit Development Plan for 2003-2012.
Excerpts from Oro Valley Transit Development Plan of ten years ago:
Oro Valley Transit Development Plan 2003-2012
The main purpose of the Plan is to identify specific community needs and implementation strategies that Town officials can use to improve and expand transit service over the next ten years
Transit Task Force (Ten Years Ago)
The Task Force consisted of residents, local business owners and managers, local transit professionals, and Town officials.
Ten years ago the Town thought it was imperative that the residents of Oro Valley be involved in the Transit Task Force from the beginning of an analysis of Coyote Run.
The current 2011 Transit Task Force did not seem to think the initial involvement of the residents was needed or required.
Funding and Costs (Ten Years Ago)
Existing Funding Sources and Costs (Ten Years Ago)
Prior to fiscal year 2000, the Town of Oro Valley used Federal Transit Administration (FTA) 5310 Grants Program funds to pay for capital improvements for Coyote Run.
In fiscal year 2000, Town officials decided to switch to using FTA 5307 Grant Program funds for Coyote Run service.
The majority of operating costs for Sun Tran and Coyote Run services are paid for using monies from two State funds, the Local Transportation Assistance Fund (LTAF) I and II.
Transit Plan Recommendations 2003-2012 (Ten Years Ago)
Transit Service
Based on extensive public input, the top priority should be to maintain and improve Coyote Run paratransit service for the elderly and disabled. The second priority should be to improve and expand regional fixed-route service on Oracle Road. And the third priority should be to implement a deviated fixed-route neighborhood shuttle system as local transit demand increases.
Funding
It is recommended that funding for new transit services should come from a variety of sources, which includes: State and Federal grants, fare-box revenue, private-sector contributions, advertising, and a local sales tax for transportation.
The majority of all Federal and State funding dried up in 2010 for Coyote Run Service and is currently supported by the Town budget for 2011 and 2012.
When citizens arrived at the October 24, 2011 three handouts were available:
1. A handout called “Proposed Regional Transit Solutions”
Goal – Make progress toward the creation of a seamless regional Dial-a-Ride system
• Initial Objectives
o Consistent regional branding
o Single call center
o Investigate expanding Special Needs Boundary to include un-served areas
o Common policies and service standards –tonight’s discussion
2. An Oro Valley Proposed Transit Map with A Blue Zone, Yellow Zone, Green Zone, and ADA Zone
3. An ADA Paratransit Eligibility sheet to provide an explanation of how to apply to become eligible for that classification.
In 2011, the transit working group held at least 5 internal (non-public) Oro Valley working meetings. Even though no residents or business groups were present, RTA participation took place. The decision was made that the RTA will take over Coyote Run in 2013 as a “regional transit entity”. Much of this has to do with the RTA providing the future funding.
In my opinion, the public meeting on October 24, 2011 was simply to provide citizen input to “tweak” the policies and/or procedures already chosen to take effect. There may be future public meetings but none has been scheduled.
Nothing ever really changes!
John Musolf
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