Valley Metro Hosts U.S. Second Gentleman for Streetcar Ride

U.S. Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff joined local and federal officials recently for an event and a ride on Valley Metro (Phoenix, AZ) streetcar to emphasize the importance of public transit investments. Emhoff emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration’s $903 million investment in transit projects in Arizona, including the recent $15.9 million USDOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equality (RAISE) grant award for the Rio East-Dobson Streetcar Extension.

“President Biden and Vice President Harris understand how important it is that everyone has access to reliable public transportation,” said Emhoff. “This grant will improve transportation access for low-income, underrepresented and transit-dependent populations in both Tempe and Mesa. It will enhance the quality of life for residents by providing a more convenient, frequent, one-seat ride across the Valley Metro streetcar corridor.”

The Rio East-Dobson Street Extension will enhance connectivity and mobility and support projected population growth along the Tempe-Mesa project corridor. The 4.4-mile extension builds on the success of the streetcar in Tempe, which has served more than 1.4 million rides since opening in 2022.

“We are immensely grateful to the Administration, USDOT and our federal elected leaders for their advocacy and continued investments in public transit,” said Valley Metro CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller. “This RAISE grant for the Rio East-Dobson Streetcar Extension is a testament to the power of federal partnerships in enhancing regional mobility.”