By Tom Blodget, Lucie Flagg | YourValley
Transportation is consistently identified as a top concern for residents. For what transportation solutions, practices or policies would you advocate?
Chuck Bongiovanni, co-founder and CEO of Majestic Residences Franchise Systems
“I will analyze and evaluate the Gilbert Transit Survey results and how it incorporates an updated Traffic Master Plan to align with the 20-year vision for the Town’s multi-modal transportation network to connect people and places better. First, however, we need to be realistic about where we live. Some bike lanes are great, but we’re not Tempe, with 80,000 students biking to school every day. We need to remember the practicality of all projects. “
Bobbi Buchli, real estate broker
“I agree transportation is a must among residents I have spoken to as well. Roads, freeways and surface roads must be maintained, widened and expanded as is planned for growth. Gilbert residents and families are constantly in their cars not just for work, but getting their kids to school, sports, events, social gatherings, church, etc. The major mode of transportation in Gilbert is vehicles, and money needs to be spent to maintain them. Transportation avenues could be increased by ride shares, adding more bus stops and buses. Buses can go anywhere in Gilbert, from city to city, if they work local or to other cities if they work out of town. Buses would give commuters a convenient and inexpensive way to commute where they need to go should they not want to drive. Commuter rail is not a cost effective addition to transportation in Gilbert. Costing in the hundreds of millions to a billion dollars to build and years to complete only to become a huge tax burden on residents due to lack of usage. Adding more bicycle lanes to lanes that are now rarely used doesn’t make sense to me nor do I see families trying to bicycle their kids to sports, events and getting to school.
