People Mover
Paula Kangis, Marketing Manager
KangisPJ@muni.org (907) 343-8491
Fifteen new People Mover buses will begin serving Anchorage residents this month. Each 2010 New Flyer bus is equipped with automatic vehicle locators, passenger counters and computer aided dispatching. Additional features include larger bike racks to hold three bicycles and a video camera system which will enhance passenger safety and security.
The new fleet will replace nearly half of the 1998 buses which have traveled more than 500,000 miles each. Fifty seven percent of the purchase is funded with Federal Highway Administration Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality funds, 36 percent is funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds (ARRA) and seven percent with local bond matching funds.
Two other Public Transportation divisions will also be putting new vehicles on the streets this summer. AnchorRIDES will replace seven vehicles and Share-A-Ride will replace nine vans and have one to expand service.
“With People Mover ridership up over 10% the last two years and nearly 1,000 people in our vanpooling program, we’re pleased to continue improving our public transportation services by upgrading our aging fleet of vehicles,” said Jody Karcz, Public Transportation Director. “I anticipate we will keep about five of the retiring People Mover buses for emergencies and for anticipated growth to our system. The remaining vehicles will be sold in accordance with Municipal code, with the sale proceeds going back into the Public Transportation Department capital budget.”
People Mover maintains a fleet of 55 buses that travel over two million miles a year. Fourteen regular transit routes serve the Anchorage and Eagle River areas.
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