Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff took a ride on the Tempe streetcar recently, advocating for the growth of transit systems. During his visit, he underscored the importance of expanding the existing streetcar route, which has plans to stretch from Marina Heights on Tempe Town Lake to Mesa’s Main Street. Emhoff, alongside local officials and transit authorities, took to the rails to personally experience the service.
According to Emhoff, "President Biden and Vice President Harris understand how important it is that everyone has access to reliable public transportation," a sentiment he shared during the visit. The proposed transit investment aims to significantly improve access for various communities, including low-income and transit-dependent populations, by offering a "more convenient, frequent, one-seat ride across the Valley Metro Streetcar Corridor," as City of Tempe Government website.
The extension study for the Rio East-Dobson segment of the streetcar line recently received a substantial financial boost with a $15.9 million RAUE grant from the USDOT. This funding precedes a presentation of the recommended alignment to Mesa and Tempe city officials later in 2024. This move aligns with survey results that ranked multimodal transport as a top priority for Tempe residents, as reported by City of Tempe Government.
Tempe Mayor Corey Woods shared that their community stands to benefit greatly from "convenience and cost savings" in transit solutions. "Our community relies on it. Businesses want it. And it brings economic development," Woods stated. Moreover, Tempe's transit system is leveraged by its youthful demographic, with around 65% of streetcar riders under the age of 25. Recent college grad Bhishma Dave contributed to this narrative by detailing to the event how the streetcar has been a vital and affordable component in his daily life. "Since 2022, I've been regularly using the streetcar to travel from my home to college, appreciating its seamless integration into my routine," Dave claimed, as told to the audience in Tempe.
In line with Emhoff’s visit and the discussions therein, the benefits of this transit development are projected to ripple across the community. They are expected to not just ease the commute but to also stir economic growth, attract businesses, and create employment opportunities. As Mesa Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia pointed out, "It will link key destinations such as Tempe Marketplace, Marina Heights, ASU, and Novus Innovation District with Mesa Riverview Mall, Sloan Park, and the Asian District," according to the insights from the City of Tempe Government.
