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Originally Posted by xymox
I think the issue is when you develop these major employment corridors is that you wind up with large companies that draw employees from across the valley - not just local. Its not practical (or even possible) for all the State Farm employees, Amazon employees, etc to live right there at a distance from which they can bike. We have a shortage on housing inventory as it is valley wide. This is where the 202 comes into play - and then the limited entry/exits from it during rush hour. The Scottsdale Airpark has these issues too for sure - but there seems to be a lot more surface road options to keep things flowing. Tempe is quite limited in that area - with no obvious solution to it. Well, maybe other than flying cars - but even then you have the airport there.
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When I worked in Tempe, I used a mixed mode commute -- light rail + bike -- to travel between Tempe and Phoenix. A lot of my coworkers seemed amazed this was possible. They'd assume I lived right near the office when they saw me pedaling.
Still, there is a need for more solutions. I think Valley Metro and Tempe should take a serious look at establishing some express bus routes that serve downtown Tempe. Right now, everything is hubbed in downtown Phoenix, but, as you point out, downtown Tempe employers are drawing people from throughout the metro area, beyond the reach of light rail. About ten years ago, there was an express bus from Queen Creek to Tempe, but it didn't draw enough riders to continue. I suspect enough has changed a decade later that a second try might be worthwhile.