3.2.2.a Regional Collaboration Discussion

The transit system is also largely affected by plans and programs that guide the development and management of the regional transportation system. The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) adopted by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) in September 2004 calls for a significant expansion of regional transit services into portions of Maricopa County which are currently underserved, including Surprise. Proposition 400, the funding measures to implement the RTP, was passed by voters in November 2004, extending the one-half cent sales tax for transportation an additional 20 years, until 2025. This funding will be divided between freeway, arterial roadway, and transit projects. Commuter express service from Surprise to downtown Phoenix via the Grand Avenue corridor began in January 2006, and similar express service along Bell Road and the SR 101L freeway to Arrowhead Towne Center, Desert Ridge, and Scottsdale began in the summer of 2007.  Much of the balance of regional transit service to be extended to Surprise through Proposition 400 (both frequent stop trunk line and limited stop express services) will not occur until later stages of the 20 year plan. Regionally funded transit services included in the RTP for Surprise are shown in Figure 4-2. The levels of transit service provided in the RTP are not adequate to accommodate projected demand given the rate of development in Surprise.  In an attempt to bridge the gap for the short term, the Surprise Transportation Commission has recommended that “connector” services should be extended to other West Valley activity centers with higher levels of regional transit connectivity. Destinations include Arrowhead Towne Center, Luke Air Force Base, and Estrella Mountain Community College. 

As transit services in these connector corridors are regionalized, the resources saved should be redirected to mobility needs internal to the city of Surprise. Service areas for internal “circulators” or “shuttle” services could include the Original Townsite, the Civic Center Complex, and the Prasada commercial complex. Such routes could offer “route deviations” for those with disabilities who cannot directly access the routes. Regional connector routes and internal shuttle service areas are shown in Figure 4-3. 

By 2030 the Surprise Planning Area will have a population of almost 400,000. A much more robust transit network will be needed to support that population level. The RTP provides very limited funding for transit in Surprise until after 2025, unless new regional funding sources are found. Because of this lack of regional funding, Surprise is focusing on making regional connections along a major transportation corridor.

During the public outreach effort for this Surprise General Plan 2030, citizens showed a preference for development patterns concentrated around major transportation corridors.  Surprise has no major transportation corridor more significant than US 60/Grand Avenue. Not only is this roadway part of the State Highway System, it is also immediately adjacent to the BNSF Railway. MAG has recently completed the initial phase of a regional commuter rail study which shows support for passenger service in this corridor. Such service is not yet assured, and will, in any case, be years in the future. Until that time, concentrated rubber tired-transit services in the corridor can both demonstrate the demand for service and influence land use patterns in the corridor. A good example of this approach is the Main Street corridor in the city of Mesa. In that corridor, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is being implemented as a starter service. If it is successful, frequency and hours of operation may increase. At some future time, they will consider replacing the service with Light Rail technology, if ridership warrants. The Ultimate Transit Plan is shown on Figure 4-4. This network is based upon directing mobility demands toward the US 60/Grand Avenue corridor. The network is also congruent with the “Roadway Plan” and the “Land Use Element” of the Surprise General Plan 2030.