Public Transit Department

Debbie Cotton, Public Transit Director Valley Metro Transit Information, (602) 253-5000; for customers with hearing impairments, TTY (602) 261-8208. Media Center Follow Phoenix Public Transit on Twitter!   Citizens' Transit Commission 2009-10 Meeting Dates REVISED Citizens Transit Commission Mission Bylaws (Revised Apr. 2008) Creation of Commission Commissioner terms Nov. 5, 2009 CTC Meeting Agenda Other Phoenix Transportation Services Reserve-A-Ride Human Services Department Rideshare promotes car- and vanpool options for drivers More transit information sites Transit Glossary. Terminos de transporte en espanol. Phoenix Transit Plan information Public Transit Department Annual Reports 2008 Annual Report 2007 Annual Report 2006 Annual Report. Public Transit Department Environmental Policy Statement Transit Now cable show on PHX 11 (Cox and Qwest) City of Phoenix Finance/Purchasing Department Current solicitations for bids and requests for proposals. Valley Metro Rail Phoenix is a partner in METRO, the light rail transit project, along with the cities of Tempe, Mesa, and Glendale. Regional Transportation Plan National Transportation Web sites American Public Transportation Association Federal Transit Administration Center for Transportation Excellence Want to do business with Phoenix? Learn about the Minority, Woman, & Small Business Enterprise here. High Capacity Transit Corridor Study Executive Summary Technical Memo: Potential Corridors Technical Memo: Corridor Screening Technical Memo: Corridor Prioritization

JARC and New Freedom Grant Awardees Announced Two Valley transit agencies were selected to receive funding through Federal Transit Administration grant programs targeted to expand transportation services for persons with disabilities or low-incomes.   Read the list of awards. ARRA Funding Update The Phoenix Public Transit Department has more than $3 million worth of construction work open to bid, with more projects opening for bid in coming weeks.   The projects are funded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Read more here. Park-and-Ride Lots to Be Resurfaced The Phoenix Public Transit Department will begin resurfacing and striping pavements at five different Park-and-Ride locations. All work will be done during weekend hours beginning Friday nights. It is important to have all vehicles removed from the sites during these scheduled resurfacing projects. Vehicles parked at the sites during the resurfacing will be towed. The schedule is as follows (subject to change): PHOENIX PARK-N-RIDES BELL ROAD/I-17, 16808 N. Black Canyon Highway Friday-Monday, 10/09/09 – 10/12/09, starting at 7 p.m. Friday-Monday, 10/16/09 – 10/12/09, starting at 7 p.m. SHEA BOULEVARD/SR-51, 10203 N. 32nd Street Friday-Monday, 10/23/09 – 10/26/09, starting at 7 p.m. Friday-Monday, 10/30/09 – 11/02/09, starting at 7 p.m. Friday-Monday, 11/06/09 – 11/09/09, starting at 7 p.m. BELL ROAD/SR-51, 3535 E. Bell Road Friday-Monday, 11/13/09 – 11/16/09, starting at 7 p.m. Friday-Monday, 11/20/09-11/23/09, starting at 7 p.m. 79TH AVENUE/1-10, 7805 W. McDowell Friday-Monday, 12/04/09 – 12/07/09, starting at 7 p.m. Friday-Monday, 12/11/09 – 12/14/09, starting at 7 p.m. SUNNYSLOPE TRANSIT CENTER Saturday, 12/19/09 (minor striping only at this location), starting at 7 p.m. Certain elements may affect this schedule such as weather, excessive vehicles parked on site, etc. If so, a revised schedule will be sent out in addition to updating the websites, on-site signs and flyers. For further questions, please call 602-262-7242. Transit Watch: Be Everyday Safe! The Public Transit Department asks you to be "everyday safe" and participate in Transit Watch, by being sure to observe your surroundings while using transit vehicles and facilities. Watch for suspicious packages and suspicious behavior. If you see suspicious behavior, report it to the vehicle operator, or the police! Transit Watch guidelines in English and Spanish ARRA Grants Awarded to Public Transit Funded by: The Phoenix Public Transit Department announced on Aug. 20 that it was awarded $88.8 million in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for projects in the Phoenix/Mesa urbanized area. The portion of these funds dedicated to city of Phoenix projects totals more than $29.1 million in improvements to its transit system and infrastructure, including $3.9 million for METRO light rail improvements in Phoenix. Also, as the region’s federal grant recipient for the Phoenix/Mesa urbanized area, the city of Phoenix was awarded additional funds to disburse to grant sub-recipients. Media Release on ARRA Funding JARC/New Freedom Grants Announced The City of Phoenix has opened a supplemental grants process for 2009, and is accepting applications for two Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants in the Job Access/Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom programs, supporting low-income commuters and persons with disabilities. The grants are competitive and open to government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private providers. Over $3.2 million is available within the Phoenix/Mesa Urbanized Area  in Maricopa County through the Federal Transit Administration grant program. Recipient agencies' programs are selected through a competitive process administered by the city of Phoenix Public Transit Department as designated by the governor of Arizona. The Federal Transit Administration is expected to award the funds by early 2010. For more information visit www.phoenix.gov/publictransit/grants.html Federal government pays $90 million to light rail cities With a $90 million reimbursement coming from the federal government the week of August 3rd, the METRO light rail cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa are close to being completely paid back on the $587.2 million they fronted for the federal portion of the 20-mile Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail Transit Project. For details, read this media release. New tickets for Dial-A-Ride passengers The Phoenix Public Transit Department will have more options for ADA-certified Phoenix Dial-A-Ride (DAR) users purchasing fares starting August 1. Dial-A-Ride ticket books will be available, at a discount from cash fares. For more information, read this Dial-A-Ride media release. PHOENIX BUS SERVICE CHANGES JULY 27 The Phoenix Public Transit Department will be changing three of its neighborhood circulator routes, and eliminating a small portion of local bus service as part of the city budget adopted in June.  The service reductions were targeted at the least-used of the city’s bus routes. Service reductions taking effect July 27: DART Neighborhood Circulator reduced to hourly frequency; no route changes. DEER RUN Neighborhood Circulator reduced to hourly frequency, no route changes. ALEX Neighborhood Circulator reduced to 40-minute frequency on weekdays and hourly frequency on weekends, with Friday and Saturday evening hours extended.  Additionally, service has been rerouted to cover portions of Chandler Blvd and other areas.  7th Street Limited is eliminated.  Service will continue with the regular Route 7 – 7th Street service.  Route 156 (Chandler Blvd.) service only in Phoenix (Ahwatukee) is eliminated.  Route 156 on Chandler Blvd. now ends at 56th St. in west Chandler.  Additional information about routes and schedules is available by calling Valley Metro at 602-253-5000, or visit www.valleymetro.org. July 1 Fare increase on bus, rail, Dial-A-Ride Riders should be aware that July 1 marks fare increases on bus, light rail, and Phoenix Dial-A-Ride. Bus/Rail fares increase to $1.75 one-way, and $3.50 for an all-day pass.  Monthly Pass prices are also increasing. Phoenix Dial-A-Ride trips increase to $3.50 one-way, and a Monthly Pass increases to $65.  Additional fare options will be available in August. More information about fares is available here. Notice of Public Meeting June 18 The City of Phoenix Public Transit Department held a public hearing on behalf of the Phoenix and Avondale urbanized area on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), 302 N. First Avenue, 2nd Floor (Saguaro Room), Phoenix Arizona. . This was a joint public hearing with the Maricopa Association of Government’s transportation improvement program (TIP) process.   The public notice of public involvement activities and the time established for public review and comment was to satisfy the program-of-projects requirements of the urbanized Area Formula Program. Read the full Program of Projects here. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Projects Final Program of Projects The City of Phoenix Public Transit Department held a public hearing on behalf of the Phoenix and Avondale urbanized area on April 16, 2009 for American Recovery & Reinvestment Act funded projects. . The purpose of this hearing was to solicit and consider public comment on applications for capital projects for which financial assistance is being sought from the Federal Transit Administration, pursuant to 49 U.S.C.. The final program of projects for ARRA funding is posted below. . Read the entire Program of Projects for funding. Transit Reductions, Fare Increases Passed The Phoenix City Council approved transit service and budget reductions as part of the citywide budget balancing process. In addition to suspensions of service, Phoenix Public Transit will be implementing fare increases. Citywide Budget Information: phoenix.gov/budget/bud09sum.html Phoenix City Council Approves Service Suspensions The Phoenix City Council approved bus service suspensions at its Oct. 28 Policy Meeting that will go into effect on Dec. 29, 2008. The suspensions will affect trips on routes citywide that begin operation before 5 a.m. and after 10 p.m. More information is available in this press release. Insurance Savings for Bus Riders The Arizona Department of Insurance has published a brochure with information on possible auto insurance savings for drivers who ride the bus to work. For a copy of the 2008 Comparison Survey, visit the Department's website. No Taggin' Our Wagon Campaign Underway The Phoenix Public Transit Department is promoting the "No Taggin' Our Wagon" Campaign to alert passengers to the problem of graffiti on Phoenix buses. Passengers are asked let someone know when graffiti happens, by notifying the bus operator or members of the Public Transit Police Bureau. If you see someone tagging a bus, keep in mind: The bus number (its located inside at the front of the bus and outside the bus) The date and time The bus route and what direction the bus is headed Riders can call Valley Metro customer service with information, at (602) 253-5000.  Riders can also call the Graffiti Hotline at (602) 262-7327.  Your tip may earn you some money and help us keep our buses graffiti-free. Phoenix Neighborhood Circulator Service This free transit service is designed to get local residents to the most popular locations in their communities. Phoenix Neighborhood Circulator Service Visit The Sunnyslope Transit Center North Phoenix residents can take advantage of the new Sunnyslope Transit Center to buy fare media, check schedules or park and ride. Located at the southeast corner of 3rd Street and Dunlap, the Sunnyslope Transit Center has security during bus operating hours, and covered parking for commuting transit riders. Transit Watch: Passengers Asked to Help Keep Transit System "Everyday Safe" The City of Phoenix Public Transit Department asks passengers to take part in the Transit Watch program to help keep Phoenix's transit system "everyday safe. Smoke Free Arizona Initiative, Proposition 201 as applied to city-owned transit vehicles and facilities in Phoenix The May 1, 2007 new anti-smoking provisions changes rules on public smoking. This fact sheet may answer questions about how they apply to city-owned transit vehicles and facilities. RAPID/Express Information As gas prices rise, so does interest in taking the bus. Before you plan your trip on RAPID(tm), know which buses are full by checking out the seating capacity charts. For the on-line trip planner go to ValleyMetro.org. Light Rail Construction Updates Newsletter Topic: Bus Stops and other changes to bus service This newsletter focuses on changed bus stops in the area of light rail construction and other passenger questions. You can subscribe to receive transit news via e-mail at the PubTrans listserv site. Transit Information E-mails To subscribe to information about public transit Bus Basics to Using Transit If you'd like to take the bus, here's some information on planning your bus trip: Bus Basics: How to Ride Right Time and Route: Choosing a trip Smooth Ride: Tips for a Courteous Trip Park your car and ride the bus: Check available parking places Local route chart or RAPID/Express routes: Find out which routes have the heaviest ridership. Phoenix Transit Plan Seven years ago, Phoenix voters approved the Phoenix Transit Plan allowing the Phoenix Public Transit Department to add more local and commuter buses and Dial-a-Ride vehicles, increase frequency and hours of service, and plan other transit improvements including METRO, the regional light rail that will serve Phoenix and other parts of the Valley. As a member of the Valley Metro, organization, Phoenix owns and operates transit service within the city and has about 45 million passengers boardings each year on buses traveling more than 18 million miles on city streets. The Public Transit Department business number is (602) 262-7242 and is located at 302 N. 1st Ave., Suite 900, Phoenix, AZ, 85003. Valley Metro Transit Information line is (602) 253-5000 or for persons with text telephones (602) 261-8208. The Phoenix Transit Plan supports these transit services: Local buses , also known as Metro buses, go more places, more often daily, including holidays. Phoenix Dial-a-Ride, a paratransit service for people who are ADA-certified, persons with disabilities, and seniors. If you live in other areas of the Valley, check other cities for their Dial-a-Ride programs. RAPID is a park-and-ride based commuter service that runs Monday through Friday within the city of Phoenix that goes to and from downtown Phoenix. Passengers can park their cars at a number of secured park-and-rides around the city and ride in on a specially-designed RAPID buses, which are made for freeway travel . Some trips have standing room only, so check out your RAPID or Express route for seat availability. Express is a Monday through Friday commuter service that travels along both city streets and the freeway to pick up passengers going to and from downtown Phoenix. ALEX is a neighborhood circulator covering the Ahwatukee area seven days a week. DASH Monday through Friday, the sleek blue- and green-colored DASH buses run between the State Capitol and Phoenix City Hall, and around Downtown Phoenix. Transit Facilities including transit centers and Park-and-Ride lots are all part of service improvements. If you'd like more information about transit programs and updates, sign up for transit news. Or contact the Public Transit Department at (602) 262-7242. Email the Public Transit Department back to top of page