Survey: Arizona taxpayers want more buses, light rail

PHOENIX — Two decades ago, the Arizona legislature set foot on a slippery slope when it swept transportation dollars to the general fund.

Nearly $2 billion later, the Arizona Transit Association would like to see that habit end when new leaders take office.

“All of the elected leaders need to be more aware,” said Jim Dickey, the transit association’s executive director. “We need to reset some priorities, and look at some creative ways local and regional government can help.”

His agency commissioned a transportation study and recently released the survey.

“People under 30 have a very high interest in public transportation systems, not only in the urbanized areas, but in rural Arizona as well,” he said of the survey results.

He said the survey also found more than two-thirds of taxpayers preferred their dollars go toward more public buses and light-rail systems.