CART Route Optimization Study

Public Meeting

SCMPO and CART present proposed recommended alternatives to CART inter-city bus route

Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization (SCMPO) and the city of Coolidge are sharing information on the new, streamlined CART service, recommended in the CART Route Optimization Study (CART ROS).

The CART ROS has evaluated historical and current conditions of the route and potential service alternatives to identify service recommendations aimed at improving efficiency and service of the route.

The recommended streamlined route changes are:

Removal of greyhound service and Love’s gas station stop
Addition of stops at Walmart in Coolidge, Downtown Casa Grande, and Fry’s Plaza
Consolidation of the current seven daily loops into five that better serve the current demand

The public can find more information on the new, streamlined CART service at the Public Open House. Meeting details are:

Wednesday September 28th, 2022

4:00pm – 6:00pm

City of Coolidge Council Chambers

911 S Arizona Blvd

Coolidge, AZ 85128

The draft STUDY documents are available for review and comment on the Sun Corridor MPO website at https://scmpo.org/test/cart-route-optimization-study/ and during normal business hours at the Sun Corridor MPO offices, located at 211 N. Florence St., #103, (back entrance), Casa Grande, AZ 85122. Public comments are welcomed at the open house or may be submitted in writing by 10:00 a.m. on September 30, 2022 to the address below.

Contact person:

Jason Bottjen, Sun Corridor MPO

jbottjen@scmpo.org

211 N. Florence St., Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other nondiscrimination laws and authorities, the Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization (SCMPO) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Persons that require a reasonable accommodation based on language or disability should contact Irene Higgs, SCMPO’s Title VI Coordinator at ihiggs@scmpo.org or (520)705-5143. Requests should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting so that accommodations may be arranged.

Background

The Central Arizona Regional Transit (CART) system provides intercity transit service

This map demonstrates the Study Area of the CART Route Optimization Study.

Study Area (click to see full size)

between Casa Grande, Coolidge, and Florence in Pinal County, Arizona. CART Ridership has declined over recent years, an issue that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and has resulted in the system providing less community benefit for the investment. The Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization is conducting a study in partnership with the City of Coolidge that will develop recommendations for improving the efficiency and ridership of the CART system.

The 2016 Coolidge Transit Plan took an in-depth look at both the CART and Cotton Express transit services, operated by the City of Coolidge, and developed recommendations for expanding the coverage and usability of these systems. Since 2016, there have been updates to the CART route to enhance connectivity and transit coverage. There has also been a large amount of growth and employment development within the region since the 2016 study. The combination of these factors means that reevaluating the CART routing against regional demographics and destinations could reveal opportunities for improving the efficiency and attractiveness of the system to riders.

Goals and Objectives:

Evaluate the current system, including the current routing, ridership, where transit is most needed, and how CART compares to similar systems.

Identify current constraints of staff, vehicle inventory, and funding of the existing system to recommend improvements to the efficiency of the CART route.

Evaluate the existing organizational structure of the City of Coolidge Transit staff and associated administrative activities to potentially reduce time or cost of administration of the transit system.

Design marketing materials that will aid the City of Coolidge in increasing awareness and ridership of the CART system.