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Photo by Mike McKisson for AZ Luminaria
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Fare-free transit preserved... for now
Earlier this month we issued a call to action around fare-free transit in Tucson when a recommendation was made to Tucson Mayor & City Council to reintroduce fares on some transit services. As the City continues to grapple with budget projections they'll be looking to save money and generate revenues anywhere possible, including transit. The recommendation to Mayor & Council encouraged the exploration of charging fares on Sunlink (modern streetcar) and Sun Express services.
As part of the Transit For All Coalition we shared our opposition to the recommendation and—along with Zero Fares Tucson, FUGA, Tucson for Everyone, and others—encouraged Tucsonans to voice their continued support for all transit being permanently free. Thousands of letters of support were sent and it made a big difference!
At the end of the day Mayor & Council made it very clear that they are not yet ready to reinstate fares in any way, shape or form. But, this issue will come up again. Read this great op-ed and this article for a more in depth explanation of what's happening now and make sure to scroll down to our Actions & Opportunities section to see how you can continue to show up for fare-free transit.
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Photo by Taylor Miller
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Double your impact when you support streets for people this Arizona Gives Day!
What a great time to be in Tucson! It’s so beautiful outside. Just last week LSA staff set up an impromptu lunch meeting in a sunny parking space. The weather is perfect for exploring on foot, biking to school and work, or getting friends together for a weekend backpacking trip–just jump on a fare free bus and head to the Rincon Mountain Wilderness. The continued efforts of Tucsonans coming together to transform our streets for people is paying off, but we’re not even close to being done yet! We’ll continue to create change through Safe Routes to Schools, Cyclovia Tucson, street transformations, and big transportation initiatives.
This Arizona Gives Day we invite you to make our streets places for people and to bring our streets to life! Your contribution to Living Streets Alliance supports powerful programs, initiatives, and projects that are shifting the way Tucson’s streets look, feel, and function.
Join us on April 2nd from 5-7pm, for our AZ Gives Happy Hour at Westbound to celebrate all that we've accomplished together. Bring the family—we’ll have some great activities for the kids—and invite your friends. Westbound will contribute 10% of proceeds for the day to Living Streets Alliance, so the more the merrier!
Donate now through April 2nd and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $10,000, thanks to a generous match pledge!
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LSA welcomes two new team members
This month we're excited to welcome two new members to the LSA team. Benji Rouse joins us as the new Safe Routes Manager, bringing a wealth of experience in working with youth, bicycles, and Safe Routes to School. Harold Thomas joins us as Development Manager, lending his experience with nonprofits, foundations, and public policy to further LSA's mission and impact in the Tucson community. Click below to read their full bios.
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Mobile Bike Repair
The following Mobile Bike Repair clinics are scheduled in partnership with area schools. If your family attends one of these schools make sure to contact the front office to reserve you slot! We'll provide basic bicycle maintenance and youth bicycle helmets for FREE, thanks to Tucson Department of Transportation & Mobility.
Rio Vista Elementary
Tuesday, April 23rd from 6:00 - 7:30 PM
1351 E Limberlost Drive (85719)
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Volunteer Night with LSA
Thursday, March 28th, 5 - 7 PM
@ the LSA office
439 N 6th Ave Suite 201 (85705)
Big things are on the horizon for LSA and we could use your help getting ready! Join us for a fun, casual Volunteer Night and help with Safe Routes to School kit assembly, data entry, AZ Gives Day prep, and more. Dinner and good company provided!
RSVP here
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AZ Gives Day Happy Hour with LSA
Tuesday, April 2nd, 5 - 7 PM
Westbound
267 South Avenida del Convento #12 (85745)
Join us this AZ Gives for Happy Hour at Westbound. Stop by on your way home from work or school, grab a refreshing beverage and enjoy complimentary refreshments, door prizes, and more. Families: please join us! We’ll have some activities and games set up for the kiddos.
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Keep ALL public transit permanently fare-free!
At the March 5, 2024 Study Session, Mayor & Council opted out of beginning the process of reinstating fares. Mayor Romero said that the “incredible growth of our system with our fare-free transit system is absolutely worth the investment" and noted that "the Prosperity Initiative talks about prioritizing transportation options to connect disadvantaged communities to jobs, schools and resources." Council Member Santa Cruz also spoke compellingly in support of treating public transit as a public good.
Let's keep the pressure up, as the fare-free fight is bound to return in April and pressure to find funding solutions will continue to build with budget conversations. Click on the link below to share your support and thoughts with Mayor & Council!
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We're hiring!
Join LSA as the Open Streets Manager
Living Streets Alliance is looking for and Open Streets Manager to serve as the person that brings Tucson’s streets to life through transformative actions and events.
The Open Streets Manager is responsible for managing Open Streets as a legacy program of Living Streets Alliance and is tasked with evolving Cyclovia Tucson and growing Cyclovitas—mini open streets events—and other smaller scale events and activities that invite Tucsonans to envision and experience their streets in a new way. They work closely with neighbors, businesses, community organizations, and municipal partners to create fun, welcoming, and inclusive experiences that foster streets as vibrant spaces for people and encourage/promote/support biking, walking, and transit. The Open Streets Manager also coordinates quick-build traffic-calming projects as a strategy for creating permanent change.
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Article: Driving at Ridiculous Speeds Should Be Physically Impossible
"Reckless speeding is epidemic in the US. This simple technology could save tens of thousands of lives."
Speeding has become a serious danger to everyone using the roads—people on foot, people on bikes, and other people driving. This article highlights a simple and effective solution that could make a big difference here in Tucson and across the country.
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Blog: Responding to Public Transit Criticism
"Public transit plays a unique and important role in an efficient and equitable transportation system. Planners must communicate the benefits that public transit provides and respond to ill-informed critics."
Transit expert, Todd Litman, shares powerful facts and dispels myths, setting the record straight that public transit is a public good.
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Report: 50+ Cycling Survey results
Did you take the 50+ Cycling Survey we shared a while back? In case you've been wondering what happened with your feedback, the report is out. Key takeaways include: many older adults can continue to cycle as they age by using a different bicycle, establishing a different expectation with regard to cycling, finding others to cycle with, and using safe and comfortable cycling facilities.
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The mission of Living Streets Alliance is to advocate for a thriving Tucson by creating great streets for all of us.
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