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 2008-09 Meeting Dates Citizens Transit Commision Mission Bylaws (Revised Apr. 2008) Creation of Commission Commissioner terms June 4, 2009 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.

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. Valley Metro adds fare outlets ahead of July 1 fare increase Transit riders should be aware that when fares increase on bus and light rail July 1, they can save money by purchasing fare media before their trips, off of the bus. Passes will be available online, via ticket vending machines, and at fare outlets. For more information about new fare outlets, visit Valley Metro's website. 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. Keep your "Personal Cool" The Public Transit Department and the Fire Department are partnering to launch this year's "Personal Cool" campaign. They'll be out at Central Station and Sunnyslope Transit Center, distributing water to passengers, and providing hot weather safety tips. Read more about the events in the press release. Bus passengers are also pedestrians. Take care when using the bus system during the hot summer months. Here are a few tips on protecting yourself from the sun. JARC/New Freedom Grants Announced The City of Phoenix announced award of 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.  Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority was selected for full funding for these programs through a competitive process administered by the Phoenix Public Transit Department. Read the press release. Proposed Route for Ahwatukee Neighborhood Circulator Adopted The Ahwatukee neighborhood circulator ALEX will undergo re-routing and schedule changes on July 27. A City Council-appointed planning committee recommended that the ALEX circulator service significant portions of Chandler Boulevard, instead of Liberty Lane. The committee is also adopted a 40-minute frequency in order to cut costs. For the route as well as the proposed schedule, click below: Proposed ALEX Schedule Proposed ALEX Map American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Projects Final Program of Projects Funded by: 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. Phoenix Receives Stimulus Funds The city of Phoenix is aggressively working to secure funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create local jobs and stimulate our economy. The Public Transit Department is among the funding recipients. For more information, visit www.phoenix.gov/recovery 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