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Ridership solid on new routes
Phoenix, AZ (August 28, 2008) Demand for express bus service was apparent from the very first day of service on three out of four new express bus routes. Funded by the countywide half-cent sales tax extended by Maricopa County voters in 2004, new and expanded bus service could not have arrived too soon.
“This is a perfect example of challenge meeting opportunity, and it has resulted in a positive outcome,” said David A. Boggs, Valley Metro executive director. Boggs refers to the ongoing need to combat volatile fuel prices this year by offering more transit alternatives. Valley Metro not only offers bus service, but transit alternatives including an online carpool matching system, a vanpool program and assistance with employer trip reduction programs.
Buses serving these routes are new and designed for express bus service:
- Buses are 40 ft. long and have a seated capacity of 36 and average standing capacity of 18
- The air conditioning system is high capacity built for the desert climate—and the refrigerant is R407c, which will not harm upper atmosphere ozone
- Fueled by Compressed Natural Gas, they have the latest in engine technology and meets federal emissions standards
- Buses are equipped with Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) to monitor activity of the bus
- Cost is $431,350 each and also funded by Proposition 400
- They are built by New Flyer in Winnipeg and assembled in Minnesota
On Monday, July 28, new routes were implemented and the first four weeks of ridership are shown below.
| Express bus service—funded by Prop. 400 | ||
| Week | Total Passengers | Average Passengers/Trip* |
| Route 511 – Chandler-Scottsdale Airpark (via Loop 101): 8 weekday trips | ||
| July 28-Aug 1 | 145 | 3.6 |
| Aug 4-8 | 137 | 3.4 |
| Aug 11-15 | 178 | 4.5 |
| Aug 18-22 | 206 | 5.2 |
| Route 535 – Red Mountain-Downtown Phoenix Express (via Loop 202): 6 weekday trips | ||
| July 28-Aug 1 | 999 | 33.3 |
| Aug 4-8 | 838 | 28 |
| Aug 11-15 | 885 | 30 |
| Aug 18-22 | 827 | 27.6 |
| Route 562 – Goodyear-Downtown Phoenix Express (via I-10): 6 weekday trips | ||
| July 28-Aug 1 | 938 | 31.2 |
| Aug 4-8 | 1,022 | 34 |
| Aug 11-15 | 1,074 | 36 |
| Aug 18-22 | 1,047 | 35 |
| Route 575 – Northwest Valley-Downtown Express (via I-17): 6 weekday trips | ||
| July 28-Aug 1 | 853 | 28.4 |
| Aug 4-8 | 829 | 27.6 |
| Aug 11-15 | 858 | 28.6 |
| Aug 18-22 | 868 | 30 |
In addition to new service, Valley Metro expanded service on routes 61, 96 and 660 on July 28.
| Route | Destinations Served | Service Expansion |
| 61 | Banner Desert Medical Center Mesa Community College Fiesta Mall Superstition Springs Center | All trips extended into Mesa’s Superstition Springs Mall and trips will be added on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday service introduced. |
| 96 | Snedigar Sports Complex Ocotillo Golf Course Intel’s Ocotillo Campus Orbital Chandler Regional Hospital Dobson Ranch Mesa Community College Banner Desert Medical Center East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) METRO station at Sycamore/Main Mesa Riverview | All trips extended north to serve Mesa Riverview Center and south to Ocotillo Road on weekdays and Saturdays, with additional trips. Sunday service introduced. |
| 660 | Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts Del E. Webb Health Center Desert Caballeros Western Museum Hassayampa River Preserve Wickenburg Community Hospital Wickenburg Library, Municipal Complex and West Plaza Arrowhead Towne Center (Glendale) Department of Motor Vehicles (Surprise) Surprise Municipal Offices Circle City Morristown Wittman | One weekday roundtrip added for four total and two Saturday roundtrips offered between Wickenburg, Surprise and Glendale. |
A registered nurse at Chandler Regional Hospital rides the Route 96 bus four days a week. “It’s a great way to get some exercise by walking to and from the bus stops,” she said. “I hope more people start riding Route 96. It’s easy and it’s a benefit to the environment.” She added that her employer subsidizes the bus pass so it’s also a great way to save money.