The Regional Transportation Authority’s transit funding commitments are to expand weekend and evening bus service; add express bus, streetcar and neighborhood circulator shuttle services; and enhance special needs transit for elderly residents and people with disabilities. As the operator of neighborhood circulator services and special needs transit, the RTA is seeking bids from transit operators for a new three-year contract.
The circulator service is called Sun Shuttle, and it serves people of all ages and needs in the communities of Marana, Oro Valley/Catalina, Green Valley/Sahuarita, Tucson Estates, the San Xavier District, Rita Ranch and Ajo. Regularly scheduled routes connect these communities with the regional transit system.
The origin-to-destination service for people living with disabilities outside the City of Tucson is called Sun Shuttle ADA Dial-A-Ride. There are two types of service. The ADA service is required by the Americans with the Disability Act. Service is provided within three-quarters of a mile of a comparable fixed-route bus service. Optional service is a premium service that goes above and beyond what is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Residents must qualify for the service, and then can make reservations for rides from the pickup site to their destination.
“We are proud to offer these services. As the existing contract expires, we’re seeking proposals to keep the services our community depends on,” said Amber Wagner, PAG’s transportation mobility administrator.
The RTA is currently seeking proposals from qualified transit operators to run these services from mid-2022 through mid-2025, with potential contract extensions through mid-2027.
Bids are due by noon Jan. 7 and are welcome from any qualified local and non-local transit operator.