NAIPTA adding amenities to accommodate growing ridership
On the heels of recording the highest-ever month of transit ridership, the Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA) and the Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization (FMPO) are investing in Flagstaff’s transit future by adding amenities for this growing ridership.
NAIPTA saw a record ridership of more than 210,000 trips in October 2013, also marking only the second time that monthly ridership has surpassed the 200,000 milestone. With this increased ridership, NAIPTA is focusing on providing amenities and services that create an overall positive experience for transit riders, and ensuring that transit stops meet the accessibility standards of the American’s With Disabilities Act.
Through $124,000 in federal funding from the FMPO and matching funds from NAIPTA, 25 stops along the entire route network received new amenities and concrete landing pads to provide ADA access to and from the bus. Six of these stops now have full shelters to keep riders protected from the elements. The remaining 19 stops were upgraded to “Logo Stops,” which means they will now have a bench and a light for rider comfort and safety.
“Because of our strong partnership with the FMPO, NAIPTA is thrilled to be able to strategically invest these dollars to strengthen our transit system by growing the number of bus stops that are completely accessible to the disabled,” said NAIPTA Board of Directors Chairwoman Celia Barotz.
The addition of these amenities is a pre-cursor to NAIPTA’s upcoming route enhancements as outlined in the recently approved Five-Year and Long-Range Transportation Plan.
NAIPTA is the transit agency in northern Arizona operating the Mountain Line, Mountain Lift and Mountain Link systems in Flagstaff. NAIPTA also coordinates services with Campus Shuttle Service at Northern Arizona University. Visit www.naipta.az.gov for more information.
Contact: Jacki Lenners
928.679.8933 or jlenners@naipta.az.gov