Ever thought about starting a van-pool but couldn’t find enough in-terested people to join the ride? In-stead of starting your own vanpool, try finding one with empty seats. With the new Vanpool Seat Loca-

tor at ValleyMetro.org, commuters can find nearby vanpools with avail-able seats, along with a map of the vanpool’s route.

Just enter your starting and ending address or cross streets and click on the “Search for Vanpools” button. The search returns a list of vanpools that best match your criteria. Or, choose from the regularly updated list-ing of available vanpools. Drivers will approve requests based on avail-ability and compatibility of route and location. Just remember…if you find an available seat that fits your commute, you’ll need to act right away as seats become filled quickly.

Dear Blue Sky View Reader,

With a new level of service, comes a new name. Valley Metro Rideshare is transitioning to Valley Metro Business Services to provide you with an even higher level of service. With average annual commute costs in the thousands-of-dollars, employers can benefi t by partnering with Valley Metro to provide commuting assistance to employees throughout Maricopa County.

We understand that good employees are hard to fi nd and we’d like to off er you tools and services to help you attract and retain them.

A custom commuter program is the perfect compliment to your existing

slate of employee benefi ts and our Business Service representatives can assist you in designing the right program for your work environment.

From tax-benefi t consulting, custom commute planning and zip code mapping to onsite fairs, presentations and more, we can help make your employees’ commutes (and lives) a little easier and more productive.

Not only will your employees benefi t, you’ll see a return as well, including:

Opportunity to expand your labor pool Lower employee commute costs Reduced payroll tax obligations Reduced employee tardiness, absenteeism and turnover

And More!

Hey, Got a Seat in that Vanpool?

It’s a Green Thing

The 2008 Clean Air Campaign Awards and Luncheon, held on Tuesday, October 28, was a huge success with over 500 people in attendance.

Steve Irvin, anchor for ABC-15 News, served as the emcee for the event, while Craig Chaquico, Grammy-nominated guitarist and former member of the Jeff erson Starship band, delighted guests with a special musical performance.

Over 30 awards were given to honorees who went above and beyond in their eff orts to make the world a better and greener place to live, work and play.

Continued on back page

Visit us online at ValleyMetro.org

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A publication of Valley Metro Business Services

The Blue Sky View

Introducing Valley Metro Business Services

All Aboard the Bus

It’s no secret that today’s gas prices are enough to make you scream. While we can’t lower gas prices or help fi ll your tank, we can off er some relief by pro-viding you with a more aff ordable and effi cient way to travel. Check out the Transit Book to fi nd a route that meets your needs. If you are a current bus rider, check to see if your route has changed.

New Routes Mesa Circulator (serving Mesa)

Valley Metro Link - Main Street (serving Mesa)

Route 40 – Airport to Apache/Main Street

Service from Sky Harbor Airport Terminal #2 to Superstition Springs Center

Route 536 – Red Mountain Express

Service from Power Road and McDowell to Tempe/ASU with return trips in the afternoon

Route 542 – Chandler Express Service from Chandler Park-and-Ride to Downtown Phoenix

Route 576 – Northwest Valley Express

Service from Arrowhead Towne Center to 19th Ave-nue and Montebello light rail station

SCHEDULE CHANGES - WEEKDAY

0, 1, 3, 3A, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 17A, 19, 27, 29/Green, 30, 32, 35, 39/Blue, 41, 41A, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 56, 59, 60, 61, 70, 77, 106, 131, 154, 156, 170, 186, 571, DASH-Downtown

SCHEDULE CHANGES - WEEKEND

0, 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 27, 29/Green, 30, 32, 35, 39/Blue, 41, 43, 44, 45, 50, 52, 56, 59, 60, 61, 67, 70, 77, 80, 90, 106, 122, 138, 154, 156, 170, 186, DART, DeerRun, SMART, MARY

ROUTE CHANGES

0, 1, 13, 15, 30, 32, 39*, 44, 45, 56, 60, 61, 72, 76, 81, 96, 104, 112, 120, 122, 511, 540, 541, 572, 685, Orbitz (Earth, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury), RAPID SR-51

*Route 39 – 40th Street North

Service from the Central Avenue/Camelback light rail station to Mayo Hospital-Phoenix Campus and Paradise Valley Mall

ROUTE NAME CHANGES

Green Line changes to Route 29-Thomas Green A changes to Route 29-Avondale Blue Line changes to Route 39

ATTENTION RED LINE PASSENGERS

The Red Line is replaced by: Light rail service Route 15 in Phoenix Route 40 in the East Valley

ATTENTION BLUE LINE PASSENGERS

The Blue Line will no longer travel south of Camel-back. North ofCamelback, the route is replaced by Route 39, traveling along 40th Street.

Service eff ective December 29, 2008 and is subject to change.

Check ValleyMetro.org often for updates.

December 2008 marks a historic milestone in Valley transit history when Valley Metro Bus and MET-RO Light Rail come together to provide comprehensive and convenient service - connecting you to the entire region like never before. Choose from more than 60 bus route (including LINK) connec-tions to and from light rail stations and pay the same fare for all. More options, faster travel times and greater access to the entire Valley signifi es - it’s time to get on board!

A Transit Revolution Begins

All Aboard the Bu

It’s no secret that today’s gas k Whil

BUS

The Blue Sky View

Make Way for the TrainThe testing of light rail trains in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa could only mean one thing —METRO light rail is almost here. Testing of the 20-mile system will contin-ue to expand through the fall and up until the grand opening, December 27. METRO will off er free rides De-cember 27 through December 31. With trains operat-ing on Valley streets, now is the time to inform your employees about the rules of light rail safety.

How to Be SafeAny time you drive, bike or walk near the light rail tracks, be alert and obey all traffi c and pedestrian signals. Remember:

Light rail is extremely quiet; always listen for train bells and look for fl ashing train headlights. Look both ways before you cross the tracks.

Pedestrians should use the crosswalk and obey the signals, which are synchronized with the light rail system.

Never drive, bike, walk or skateboard in the track area, which is marked with curbs and refl ectors.

A traffi c signal that shows a red arrow means “do not turn.” (Not even after stopping).

Teach your children to stay away from the light rail tracks.

For more information on light rail safety, visit metro-

lightrail.org/safety on the Web. It’s a great place to get information for your own employee newslet-ters or paycheck stuff ers. If you would like posters and safety brochures to distribute to your employees, just fi ll out the Materials Order Form in your kit or call 602.262.RIDE.

For more information on the METRO grand opening, visit metrolightrail.org/grandopening.

Get Linked Up Valley Metro LINK is a new, state-of-the-art tran-sit service that invites customers to enjoy rail-like comfort, speed and reliability on the streets of Mesa!

Beginning in December 2008, the Valley Metro LINK will serve a 12-mile corridor, running from the Superstition Springs Park-and-Ride to the Sycamore Transit Center and connecting to MET-RO Light Rail.

The LINK employs traffi c signal priority (lights wait to turn red until the bus passes) to oper-ate more effi ciently, adding convenience and promptness to travel.

LINK engines have the latest ultra-low sulfur die-sel technology, making them more environmen-tally friendly than standard diesel bus engines. Riding the LINK is one of the best ways to help re-duce traffi c congestion and improve the Valley’s air quality.

Best of all, your $2.50 All-day pass, which in-cludes local bus and METRO Light Rail service, also includes LINK service! You won’t fi nd a better transportation deal anywhere.

The LINK is Valley Metro’s latest eff ort to make traveling throughout the Valley faster, more com-fortable and convenient for all of our residents and visitors.

We hope you enjoy your journey on the LINK!

Make Way for the TThe testing of light rail trains in Mesa could only mean one thin

RAILGet Linked UpValley Metro LINK is a new, stsit service that invites custom

LINK

RDS0731IND/gms/10/08

Give Your Commuters a Gift

The Commuter Club Card is back and has many new of-fers that will have your employees clearing out the seats of their cars to make room for others. Get your employ-ees excited about sharing the ride by giving them a Commuter Club reward card with deals on casual dining, entertainment and more. It’s a great way to show you care about their eff orts and an even better way to attract new alternative mode users to the program. Look for the order form in this kit.

Teach Students the Importance of Public Transportation

If your job involves working with groups of children, it’s never too early or too late to begin teaching them about making smart transportation choices. And Valley Metro makes it easy to add transit education to your curriculum or class time.

Valley Metro’s free classroom presentations to students in-still the importance of using public transportation such as bus and light rail and the impact that public transporta-tion has on the environment. Students learn about safety and how to ride public transit through presentations and fi eldtrips to their favorite destinations aboard a bus or light rail train.

A free Field Trip pass for travel on bus or light rail is avail-able for eligible school groups. For more details, call 602.262.4001 or visit ValleyMetro.org.

Outstanding TC

50-149 Employees

Zoe Long, Computer Guidance Corp.

Outstanding TC

150-499 Employees

Darlene Stogner,Bechtel Corporation

Outstanding TC

Over 500 Employees-Public

Rhianna EncizoCity of Glendale

Outstanding TC

Over 500 Employees-Private

Michelle Lue, Best Western International

Outstanding TRP

50-149 Employees

Computer Guidance Corporation

Outstanding TRP

150-499 Employees

Dolphin, Inc.

Outstanding TRP

Over 500 Employees-Public

City of Peoria

Outstanding TRP Over 500

Employees-Private

Scottsdale Healthcare

Outstanding Leadership

Tom Sadvary, Scottsdale Healthcare

Outstanding Marketing &

Creativity - Electronic Media

Scottsdale Healthcare

Outstanding Marketing &

Creativity-Print Media

Maricopa County

Outstanding Marketing &

Creativity-Event Under $500

ING

Outstanding Marketing &

Creativity-Event Over $500

Salt River Project

Outstanding Bike Program -

Public

City of Phoenix, Street Transportation Dept.

Outstanding Bike Program-

Private

Scottsdale Healthcare

Outstanding Vanpool Program

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Outstanding Bus Rider

Nancy Fountain

Outstanding Carpooler

Don Sandoval

Outstanding Vanpooler

Rhonda Rapp

Outstanding Bicyclist/Walker

Jessica KasupedasRyan SchmitzMichael Maynard

Outstanding Multi-Modal

Commuter

Nathaniel Wooden

Outstanding Site Coordinator

Rebeckah White, City of Phoenix Police Department

Media Award - Television

KPNX 12 News

Media Award - Print

The Arizona Republic

MAG Livable Communities

Award

City of Tempe, Tempe in Motion

People’s Choice Bulletin Board

ABC Nissan

Blue Sky Award

City of Goodyear and West Valley Hospital

(Continued from Page 1)

2008 Clean Air Campaign Award Winners

The Blue Sky View newsletter is a publication of Valley Metro and is available online at ValleyMetro.org.

Editor: Keisha Truxillo

Send comments to ktruxillo@valleymetro.org or

302 N. 1st Ave., 6th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Contact Valley Metro at:

602.262.RIDE (7433) | TTY 602.261.8208

or Rideshareinfo@ValleyMetro.org