Scottsdale Holds Public Meetings on Bus Service Changes

Media contact:  Annie DeChance, Transportation, (480) 312-2526, (480) 406-7153 – cell

Public hearings scheduled for proposed bus route changes

Due to State and local budgetary issues, Scottsdale is considering several changes to local bus routes, the Neighborhood and Downtown Trolley routes and paratransit service.

The Transportation Commission will review these potential service changes and reductions at their next meeting on Monday, April 12, 6 p.m. in the City Hall Kiva, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard.  The public is invited to attend this meeting and provide input. 

The Budget Review Commission also will receive an overview of these proposed changes at their Thursday, April 15 meeting, 5 p.m. in the in the City Hall Kiva, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard.  The public is invited to attend this meeting and provide input. 

In addition, two public hearings are scheduled for Wednesday, April 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Scottsdale Airport Terminal, 15000 N. Airport Drive and Monday, April 26 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road. 

Both meetings will be identical with an open house format to allow attendees have their specific questions answered one-on-one by city staff.  No formal presentation will be given.

Proposed changes include modifying service hours, the frequency or days of service and/or potential elimination of bus routes.  The routes affected include all Valley Metro fixed routes into Scottsdale, Routes 66 (68th Street), 76 (Miller Road), 81 (Hayden Road), Route 170 (Bell Road) and both the Neighborhood and Downtown trolley service.  Details of each route include:

**Valley Metro routes could see a reduction in service on weekends and/or the elimination of Sunday service (except route 72 - Scottsdale Road)

**Route 66 (68th Street) could be eliminated and replaced with service in Scottsdale only by the Neighborhood Trolley. 

**Route 76 (Miller Road) could see cost savings by changing operator contracts, creating a new route that combines both routes 66 and 76 or eliminating the route.

**Route 81 (Hayden Road) could have service north of Shea Boulevard eliminated, shorten service north of Shea to 20 minutes or eliminate off-peak hours.

**Route 170 (Bell Road) could eliminate off-peak service hours or terminate the route at Scottsdale Road.

**Downtown Trolley service could have the number of operating days reduced and/or service during the summer months eliminated.

**Neighborhood Trolley could see a reduction in service hours and/or frequency.

Other proposals being considered are the closing of the Loloma Transportation Station and eliminating non ADA compliant trips on East Valley Dial-A-Ride service.

More information on the proposed changes and an online comment form can be found by clicking here.