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Image Source: Arianna Grainey/City of Tempe
In some U.S. cities, getting around is a breeze. You’re never far from a train that can whisk you away to other parts of the city or bike lanes to safely use pedal power for neighborhood maneuvering. Some cities are just built differently. This is not another story about transit-friendly cities like New York or Chicago or upcoming stars like Austin, Texas, or Minneapolis, Minnesota. Instead, we bring you the story of a city that has been as intentional as any in its approach to moving people without the use of cars.
Located just east of Phoenix, the city of Tempe (population 191,336), has one of the most robust transit systems in the southwest. Along with 13 bus routes on most major streets, there is an extensive neighborhood shuttle service, a light rail train that operates seven days a week, a downtown streetcar, and 42 miles of bicycle lanes designed for low-stress rides to wherever residents want to go.
Thanks to the interconnected system, Tempe boasts the highest ridership per capita in the region. In 2023, they reported more than 6.5 million rides on their system — with even more projected in 2024. Fares are affordable (and sometimes free), thanks to sales tax initiatives that sustain the popular service.
In nearly every neighborhood, people can walk outside their front doors and flag down a shuttle bus that will deliver them to transit stations, community centers, and other popular destinations. In some communities, there is no need for a car at all.
As a result, economic leaders have had increasing success in attracting developers to the region. While the concept of transit-oriented development is gaining traction throughout the U.S., it’s already well-established in Tempe.
“Transit is a major economic driver,” said Sam Stevenson, the city’s transit manager. “It connects people to jobs and opportunities. We don’t have infinite space for cars in our city. Transit helps mitigate congestion. We know it will still happen, but we want to provide alternatives.”
Image Source: Arianna Grainey/City of Tempe
It wasn’t always this way. Thirty years ago, public transportation was extremely limited in Tempe. Councilwoman Jennifer Adams said the city, home to Arizona State University and now many corporate headquarters like Carvana and GoDaddy, was experiencing a population boom.
“People were sitting in traffic, and you can’t build freeways fast enough to keep up with the demand. We were running out of space and the ability to get around town,” she said. “We did a huge campaign to get everyone on the same page on the importance of this.”
In 1996, Tempe citizens passed a half-cent sales tax to fund transit construction and operations. The tax never sunsets, and in 2023, the city netted $68 million from the tax, Mr. Stevenson reported.
Then in 2004, a second countywide proposition passed as an additional funding source. In 2024, voters decide to continue that sunsetting funding source for another 20 years.
Tempe’s Deputy Transportation Director Shelly Seyler said support for transit became even greater as new services came online.
“The residents really understood this was a benefit to them and the community to serve people who may not have the ability to have vehicles,” she said. “They saw what Tempe could be like with a better transit system.”
Elected officials need to be forward-focused with Tempe’s transit, especially when it comes to approving new development. Councilwoman Adams is quick to point out Culdesac, a new car-free apartment complex built along the light rail line. Residents are restricted from owning automobiles there.
“It’s really cutting edge,” she said. “They worked with all the council members and explained the concept. We have the best transportation in the entire valley. It was an easy sell. We’re trying to get people out of their cars and into public transit.”
Culdesac is an example of transit-oriented development, in which new projects support existing transit infrastructure. With this urban trend, developers may be required to add dedicated roadway lanes for public transportation, streetscaping, shelters and pull-outs for buses, and even extensions for the city’s streetcar system.
“It’s important to get out ahead of those decisions,” Mr. Stevenson said. “It’s about planning for now and for the future. It’s not just solving the congestion problem today, but what do you expect in the future for growth?”
Indeed, governmental projects take time. Even as Tempe officials plan five to 10 years out on transit projects, they must remain dynamic. The coronavirus pandemic, for example, changed regular work commutes away from the typical morning and evening rush. When the university is in session, extra service is necessary in specific areas of the city to ensure no one is left behind.
Image Source: Arianna Grainey/City of Tempe
The key to Tempe’s transit success is its holistic focus, recognizing that everyone has different needs and habits. One person may wish to bicycle to the light rail, requiring a space on the train to transport a bike. Another person may have disabilities or limited mobility, requiring a personalized, on-demand service. Ms. Seyler said they’ve been working to integrate technology into the transit system to address these and other diverse requirements. They’re currently adding new technology for a more responsive system for traffic light changes. They’re also welcoming Waymo self-driving cars, which they hope can integrate with the public transit system.
“It’s important to provide as many options as possible. It’s not just a freeway or an arterial or transit for bikes; it all has to be part of the city,” she said. “Every resident has different travel patterns and needs, so you need to provide a system that is comprehensive to everyone.”
As part of that effort, the mayor appointed a Transportation Commission of 15 residents. They meet monthly to review projects, propose agenda items, and provide valuable feedback about what works and what needs improvement.
Councilwoman Adams, who is also the vice chairwoman of the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority, said it helps that the average age of Tempe residents is 29.7, a generation that’s less inclined to drive. Younger residents may be more likely to prioritize the environment, too.
“We need to work on saving our planet, and it promotes sustainability practices by getting all those cars off the road,” she said. “We want to get the people who live in Tempe the opportunity to lower their carbon footprint, save fuel, and save money.”
The city’s main transportation hub, located conveniently downtown, is certified through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). A bicycle repair shop is located inside, and an operations center has cameras to help refine the flow in realtime. Tempe’s center for buses, which all run on alternative fuel, is also LEED certified.
Still, the focus remains on benefiting Tempe residents — especially those who have less access to cars and consider the transit system to be a “lifeline,” Mr. Stevenson said.
“Transit is for all,” he said. “It’s about making sure we’re accommodating as many people as we can.”
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