Downtown Phoenix is growing and the long-time downtown circulator DASH is changing with it. Inspired by Mayor Phil Gordon’s 2007 State of the Downtown speech, the Phoenix Public Transit Department is proposing a partial change to the DASH route and its frequency of service.

The new DASH routing will link it directly to light rail, scheduled to start in December 2008, and local and commuter buses that bring workers and students into the area. All changes will be done within the current budget. Also, the nine DASH buses are scheduled for a new paint job.

The public is invited to three open-houses, which will be held outdoors, to review the proposed changes:

• February 26, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Central Station, Central Avenue and Van Buren Street
• March 19, 2 to 4 p.m., Phoenix Convention Center, Second and Adams Streets
• April 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Phoenix City Hall, Washington and Third Avenue

A public hearing on the changes will be held before the Citizens Transit Commission on April 3 at 302 N. Central Ave. before a report goes to Phoenix City Council.

For more information, please visit Phoenix Public Transit’s Web site at phoenix.gov/publictransit/newdash.html or call (602) 262-7242