Transit
The Regional Transportation Authority provides funds for additional evening, weekend and express bus services provided by Sun Tran, continued Sun Link streetcar operations, and continued Sun Shuttle and Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride, paratransit services.
RTA funding comes from a voter-approved half-cent sales tax that is collected from the RTA’s taxing district within Pima County.
Sun Tran expanded services as well as enhanced service frequency and Sun Link streetcar capital improvements were initially funded as part of the 2006 voter-approved RTA plan. Services continue to be funded as part of the 2026 voter-approved RTA plan.
The 3.9-mile Sun Link streetcar system, operated by the City of Tucson, also was built using federal grants and local funds. The streetcar route encompasses five major urban districts, including the Mercado District on the west side, downtown Tucson, 4th Avenue, Main Gate Square and the University of Arizona and UA Health Sciences campuses on the west end. Streetcar service is fully integrated with the Sun Tran bus system. Some 100,000 people live and work within a 1-mile radius of the streetcar route.
The RTA Sun Shuttle system operates 12 neighborhood circulator routes across the region with connections to the Sun Tran bus system. Sun Shuttle service is available for people of all ages and needs. Shuttles operate on scheduled routes to help commuters plan and make transfers to Sun Tran.
Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride provides door-to-door paratransit service to persons with disabilities living outside Tucson city limits or to City of Tucson residents needing to reach destinations outside city limits.
The RTA contracts with MTM Transit to operate the Sun Shuttle and Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride services.