Valley Metro (Phoenix)

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Valley Metro
Serves Greater Phoenix
Hours of Operation
Weekdays 3:15am–12:30am
Saturdays 5:00am–12:00am 1:00am (Downtown Tempe)
Sundays
Holidays		 5:00am–11:00pm
Fixed Route Buses
Fleet 694
Routes 83 (60 local, 22 express/rapid, 2 limited stop)
Annual Ridership 51.8 million
Operating Cost
Per Passenger		 $2.45
Farebox Ratio 23.07%
Shuttle/Circulator
Fleet 47
Annual Ridership 2.5 million
Operating Cost
Per Passenger		 $1.48
Farebox Ratio 0.32%
Dial-a-Ride
Type Paratransit
Fleet 283
Annual Ridership 1.0 million
Operating Cost
Per Passenger		 $23.52
Farebox Ratio 5.19%
Vanpool
Annual Ridership 0.9 million
Operating Cost
Per Passenger		 $1.99
Farebox Ratio 82.78%
Light Rail
Rail Gauge Standard (4 ft 8½ in)
Opened December 2008 (anticipated)
Fleet 36
Stops 27 (32 stations)
System Length 20 mi. (32.2 km)
Annual Ridership 9.5 million (anticipated)
Operating Cost
Per Passenger		 $2.38 (anticipated)
Farebox Ratio 33% (anticipated)
FY2003-04 statistics except for Light Rail. Source: [1]

Valley Metro, officially named the Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA), is the system responsible for public transit in the area of Phoenix and Maricopa County, Arizona.

Contents

Contrary to popular belief, Valley Metro does not actually operate the majority of transit services in the region; it is considered a membership organization, and most services are separately funded and operated by the several individual cities and suburbs in the greater Phoenix region. These cities have agreed to participate in Valley Metro as a unifying brand name to streamline service and reduce confusion among riders.

The three largest operators of bus service are the city of Phoenix, the Regional Public Transportation Authority (operating multi-city routes and services in Mesa and Chandler, and the city of Tempe (which also operates most services for the city of Scottsdale). There is also a circulator service in Glendale operated by the City of Glendale directly, and another circulator service operated by the city of Scottsdale directly. Besides these two circulators, all other services are either operated by Phoenix, Tempe, or the RPTA.

Each city (through its mayor or board of supervisors) appoints a representative to the RPTA board of directors, and a chairman, vice chair, and treasurer are voted on amongst the board members for a one-year term.

The RPTA operates a customer service, marketing and long-range transit planning operation (from headquarters in downtown Phoenix) which is shared among all Valley Metro member cities. A few routes, which operate within several member cities, have their funding and operations shared between those cities. Some RPTA funding is used in certain cases to augment service provided by the member cities (this is expected to increase over the next several years due to the 2004 voter approval of an extension to the original 1985 sales tax for transit funding (see below)). The City of Phoenix alone operates 73 percent of all Valley Metro routes (several of which also serve suburban cities). [2]

The RPTA was formed in 1985 as the result of Phoenix-area voters approving a one-half percent sales tax increase for long-overdue expansion of the local freeway system, and for expansion of mass transit. The RPTA was then chartered under the laws of the State of Arizona. Valley Metro, as an integrated regional transit service, did not begin operations under its own brand identity until 1993, when the RPTA board of directors chose that name, the logo and color scheme as described below.

Originally, Phoenix Transit System buses were painted with an orange and pink stripe, and a logo on the sides, rear and front, featuring a character known as "Tico", which was a sun wearing sunglasses, and a sombrero. In 1993-4; RPTA replaced Tico and changed the colors to a green and purple color scheme (which the majority still have), with a green stripe and a large purple "V" on the passenger's side, and the reverse on the driver's side. In 2006, a simplified new color scheme was introduced with the delivery of the C40LFR buses. This scheme is similar to the original scheme except that the "V" has been removed (it obscured visibility from inside the buses in many cases), there is only a green stripe around the bus, the Valley Metro logo is displayed on the front, rear, and rear sides of the bus, and the sides are lettered "Valley" in purple and "Metro" in white. All new buses from 2006 onwards feature a new interior very similar to that of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority but with darker tinted windows, no Transit TV (since Valley Metro divisions except for Phoenix prohibit advertising) and blue seat fabric (as opposed to the "rainbow" seat fabric used on LACMTA buses). Most buses are still in the old scheme, but new ones have been delivered with the new scheme and there are a number of 1998-1999 NABI 40-LFWs, 1999 and 2000 ElDorado E-Z Riders and 1994 New Flyer D40LFs that have been rehabilitated with new seat fabric (the same fabric used on the RAPID bus rapid transit buses, but only on the 1998 Phoenix-owned NABI buses) and repainted in the new scheme. (For a detailed listing of the Valley Metro fleet, and vehicle models used, see the "bus fleet" section below).

In the early years of Valley Metro and throughout the 1990s, the Phoenix metropolitan area was the largest metropolitan area in the United States to have transit service operating only Monday through Saturday, with no Sunday Service or Saturday night service (after 8 p.m.) at all. Even on weekdays, some bus service ended as early as 7 or 8 p.m. This provided huge hardship for a large portion of the Phoenix labor force (some of who had to walk or bicycle large distances to and from work when bus service didn't operate) and may have been a deterrent to some who wanted to relocate to the Phoenix area.

That began to change in 2001 when Valley Metro expanded to Sunday service in Phoenix, Glendale and Scottsdale, with Tempe having Sunday service since 1999 (this resulted in large part from the approval of the Transit 2000 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which involved a new 0.4 per cent sales tax in the city of Phoenix, with the other cities approving similar measures around the same time). In addition, in 2004, Proposition 400 was passed, which extended a half-cent sales tax originally earmarked entirely for freeways. The tax was revised to provide funding for not only freeways, but "supergrid" bus service, (concentrated along Phoenix grid streets), bus rapid transit, and light rail extensions. The rest of the service area, including Mesa, still has no Sunday service as of January 2007, with the exception of the portion of Route 72 (see below) that runs into Chandler, and the section of route 156 that runs across Chandler.

In 2002, the cities of Tempe and Scottsdale merged BOLT (Better Options for Local Transit) and Scottsdale Connection into the Valley Metro system in order to unify the Valley Metro brand and to reduce confusion (especially along the Red Line, which was operated by both Phoenix and Tempe and used Valley Metro and BOLT branded vehicles). All of the BOLT buses were repainted into standard Valley Metro colors (they still have a different interior from other Valley Metro buses) and the Scottsdale Connection buses were replaced. However, before the merger the systems were featured in the Valley Metro Bus Book and had the same fare structure as the rest of the system. They were basically a different brand.

Valley Metro operates bus routes around the Phoenix area through private companies in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, and other parts of Maricopa County. These include fixed routes on city streets, suburban Express buses, RAPID buses, and circulators in downtown parts of Phoenix, Glendale, and Tempe.

The basic local fare is $1.25. Reduced fare (for youths 6-18, seniors 65 or older, people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders) is 60¢. Day passes, 3-day passes, 7-day passes, and 31-day passes are available. (some of these passes are available at reduced prices through various employers, schools and colleges such as Arizona State University.)

On December 1, 2007, transfers were eliminated. An "All-Day Pass" that costs $2.50 was introduced to replace transfers, which will not substantially increase costs for riders (because most bus trips are round trips anyway). However, "31-Day Passes" increased in price from $34 to $45 for standard fare passes, $17 to $22.50 for reduced fare passes, and $51 to $68 for express bus passes. Compared to other recent transit agency fare increases, this was a relatively modest increase and is the first in 13 years. Fuel costs have not risen as rapidly as that of other transit agencies due to the fact that the majority of the Valley Metro fleet is powered by natural gas rather than diesel fuel, and natural gas has not seen price increases to the degree of oil price increase. This fare change helps Valley Metro catch up with simultaneous rising incomes and costs of living, which has substantially changed since 1994.

Most bus routes, especially those mainly serving the city of Phoenix, are numbered roughly according to the streets on which they travel. For example:

  • Route 35 is a north-south route which runs along 35th Avenue
  • Route 0 runs north-south along Central Avenue, which is the dividing street or "zero point" separating East and West Phoenix on the city's street grid (Central Avenue and Washington Street is the actual point of origin)
  • Route 50 runs east-west along Camelback Road, which is the 5000 block, north, on the street grid
  • Route 72 runs north-south along Scottsdale Road, which is the 7200 block, east, on the street grid (Scottsdale uses the City of Phoenix street numbering system).

The 500-series routes are commuter express routes, which for years only connected office workers from outlying suburban neighborhoods into central Phoenix (including the state capitol complex) in the morning and back again in the afternoons. However, in 2007 Valley Metro began suburb-to-suburb express routes, starting with route 534 from Tempe, AZ to Queen Creek, AZ. This route lasted only eight months and was discontinued due to extremely low ridership and the fact that an all-day, high-frequency Arizona State University free express shuttle bus already served part of the route. However, in July 2007 route 572 from Surprise, AZ to the Scottsdale Airpark started with a higher frequency of service and more publicity.

Most buses on major arterial streets operate from about 5 a.m. until at least 10 p.m.; some bus lines, especially within Tempe, operate as late as 1 a.m.

Newer long-term plans (through the years 2015-2020) call for more buses on arterial streets, especially those currently underserved (or not served at all in a few cases) by buses, extension of existing bus routes into fast-growing suburban neighborhoods, and expanded Express/RAPID service onto more freeways. Bus routes that end operations before 10 p.m. may see service extended later in the evening, perhaps as late as midnight, and begin service earlier in the morning. [3] There is no 24-hour service on any Valley Metro route, and no current plans to implement 24-hour service.

In July 2006, Route 72 Scottsdale/Rural was converted to "supergrid" service. This conversion extended 15-minute weekday daytime frequency to the entire route (whereas previously only a segment between downtown Tempe and downtown Scottsdale had 15-minute weekday daytime service), extended "short" trips to cover the entire route (except for a couple of late-night runs), and extended 30-minute frequency to weekday nighttime and weekend service over the entire route. In addition, the route was extended to Chandler on Sundays, becoming the first route in history to run to Chandler on Sundays. Most trips on this route use 2006 New Flyer C40LFR buses, the delivery of which enabled this "supergrid" service to start.

Previously, service frequency had been based on the availability of operating funds, or lack thereof at times, from each of the member cities, with the most trips going into Tempe and downtown Scottsdale, half-hour frequency in Scottsdale, south Tempe, and Chandler, and no Sunday service in Chandler. This effectively converted funding from city-based to county-based, eliminating short trips and restrictions imposed by city funding. All other major routes will be converted to Supergrid service through 2025. Sunday service is planned for Mesa within the next 10 years [4].

In July 2007, subject to both City of Phoenix and City of Tempe approval, eight new circulator bus routes began in both Phoenix and Tempe. Three circulator routes in Phoenix serving the Sunnyslope and Maryvale neighborhoods began service, and later in summer 2007 a new circulator system known as ORBIT began service on five routes: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Jupiter. This new service replaced the former Neighborhood FLASH service and opened up service into areas that had never been served by bus before, making connections much easier. In the future, these circulators will supplement the "supergrid" bus service, which will replace bus routes that do not operate on major streets. This is one of the largest expansions of bus service in the history of the Phoenix area, and also includes more "supergrid" routes and several new routes.

The next routes to be converted to "supergrid" service will be Route 61-Southern and Route 96-Dobson, which will bring Sunday service back into Mesa in the summer of 2008.

The Bus Book (mentioned above) is updated twice yearly and contains maps and schedules for all routes. Copies are available at no charge at Valley Metro ticket offices, many public libraries, community colleges and other civic facilities around the metro area, and on the buses themselves. Because the Bus Book is difficult to carry around easily (the size is similar to a medium-sized catalog, averaging about 250 pages), patrons often use the Bus Book to quickly reference the time when their next bus will arrive, and simply leave the book sitting at their bus stop when finished, for the use of other riders.

Additionally, route schedules are posted at most bus stops in Tempe, selected bus stops in Scottsdale and Glendale, and at major transit centers in the city of Phoenix and throughout the Valley. On RAPID routes, schedules are electronic and are based on real-time information.

A customer service call center is operated for passengers to plan their bus trips with the assistance of an operator. The Valley Metro website [5] also has an online trip planning function, and includes all schedules and maps featured in the Bus Book; since 2006, Valley Metro is relying more on the website to post schedule information and is printing fewer paper-based copies of the Bus Book.

Like most major cities, all buses include the Route Scout on-board passenger information system, which includes a lighted marquee displaying the correct date and time, Automatic Voice Annunciation (AVA) for audio and visual announcements for each major intersection (recorded by Liz Boyle [6], a local Phoenix radio personality for oldies station KOOL-FM), and an audio and visual Stop Requested announcement. [7] These automated announcements are prone to malfunction; when that occurs, the drivers often (but not always) call out each major intersection over the vehicle's public address system. This same system is used by the Los Angeles Metro buses and was introduced on the 2004 New Flyer D60LF buses.

  • Veolia Transportation (Phoenix) - Operated under contract to the City of Phoenix, Veolia Phoenix operates 26 local routes (Red, Blue, Green, 0, 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 27, 32, 35, 41, 44, 52, 60, 70, 80, 90, 131, and 154) two limited-stop routes (7L and Grand Avenue Limited), three express routes (581, 582, 590) the four RAPID bus rapid transit routes, the free-fare DASH bus circulator in downtown Phoenix, and the Sunnyslope Multi-Access Residential Transit (SMART) service in the Sunnyslope neighborhood of Phoenix Once a month, Veolia Phoenix operates a special circulator service known as the "Artlink" in the trendy Roosevelt Row neighborhood. Veolia Phoenix only operates the Red Line route (the metropolitan area's central designated transit corridor) on weekdays (the Red Line is operated by Veolia Tempe on Saturdays and Sundays (see below)). These routes are based out of two garages in North (opened in 1981) and South Phoenix (opened in 1982).
  • Veolia Transportation (RPTA) - Operated under contract directly to RPTA, Veolia Transportation operates 11 local routes (30, 61, 72, 81, 96, 104, 112, 120, 124, 136, and 156), the East Valley Dial-a-Ride service, and eight express routes (Routes 510, 512, 531-534 and 540-541). Communities served include Chandler, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Gilbert. These routes are based out of a main garage in Mesa, opened in 2003.
  • MV Transportation (Phoenix) - Operates the Ahwatukee Local EXplorer circulator and Phoenix Dial-a-Ride.
  • Veolia Transportation (Tempe) - Operated under contract to the city of Tempe (branded as "Tempe in Motion" or TIM, this system operates 11 local routes (45, 56, 62, 65, 66, 76, 77, 84, 92, 108, and 114, as well as the Red Line route on weekends, which also serves a large portion of Phoenix) the Free Local Area Shuttle (FLASH), and the ORBIT circulator in Tempe. Veolia Tempe also operates two express routes, routes 520 and 521. Originally, all the buses that operated out of this garage were painted in BOLT colors but were repainted in 2002. However, all of the Tempe buses retain different interiors (lighter gray and white compared to the other Valley Metro buses). Some of these Tempe routes also serve portions of Phoenix and Scottsdale. Since mid-2006, many buses operating out of this garage have been having destination sign problems, but since January 2007, a sign replacement program has been underway. All buses had their headsigns replaced with Luminator Horizon signs (instead of Twin Vision orange signs). These routes are based out of a main garage in Tempe across the Salt River from the main light rail facility. This new bus garage opened in 2007.
  • First Transit (formerly Laidlaw Transit Serivces) - Operated under contract to the city of Phoenix. This company operates 13 Valley Metro local routes (Green-Avondale, 3A, 13, 41A, 43, 51, 59, 67, 106, 122, 138, 170, and 186) three express routes (560, 570, and 571) and the Maryvale Area Ride for You (MARY) circulator in the Maryvale neighborhood of Phoenix. These routes are based out of a main garage in Glendale, but all of the vehicles are owned by the City of Phoenix. Later in 2007 this division will move to a new facility.
  • Valu Trans- Valu Trans is part of Total Transit Inc, the parent company of Discount Cab and Meditrans. This division operates under contract to the City of Glendale and the RPTA, and operates express routes 70X (actually a tourist express version of route 70 in Glendale that is branded as the "Glendale Express"), 572 and 573, route 660 (Wickenburg Connector), and Glendale Urban Shuttle (GUS) routes GUS I, GUS II, and GUS III.
  • Ollie the Trolley-This provider operates the Scottsdale Trolley and Scottsdale Neighborhood circulator under contract to the city of Scottsdale. All other services in Scottsdale are operated by the city of Phoenix, the city of Tempe, or the RPTA.
  • Ajo Transportation-This provider is based in Pima County rather than Maricopa County and operates rural route 685 to Gila Bend.

Since 1998, the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and the RPTA have purchased coaches from North American Bus Industries (NABI); since 2004, Valley Metro has returned to purchasing coaches from New Flyer due to the late delivery of the NABI 45C-LFWs and the most recent NABI 40-LFW order.

Valley Metro was the original launch customer for the NABI 45C-LFW Compobus for its BRT and commuter express lines in the city of Phoenix as well as Tempe (the Phoenix RAPID buses have a different paint scheme (silver and green) from all other Valley Metro buses); other models in wide use include the nationally popular 40-LFW and 35-LFW (both of which Valley Metro was also the launch customer). Older RTS coaches manufactured by Transportation Manufacturing Corporation and D40LFs manufactured by New Flyer that were built in 1994 and 1996 were mostly phased out in 2007.

Short, low-volume routes in Tempe and Scottsdale are still serviced by older ElDorado National EZ Rider buses; the free Copper Square DASH circulator shuttles in downtown Phoenix also use similar ElDorado coaches.

Since 2004, most of Valley Metro's bus orders have been composed of former options from other transit agencies from around the Western United States; these options were either added to by Valley Metro or cancelled and taken up by Valley Metro. Although this limits Valley Metro's ability to order buses to its own specifications, it also allows for quicker bus delivery, which has become essential due to Valley Metro's rapid expansion. For more information, see the roster below.

In April 2006, RPTA put the first New Flyer C40LFR restyled transit buses into service in America; these vehicles are being used on the routes it directly operates in Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and the surrounding areas. In summer 2006, Valley Metro also was the first customer outside of California to purchase the NABI 60-BRT; these buses were attached to the large Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority order and were built with similar specifications. These buses run on the same routes as the C40LFs. In January 2006, the RPTA leased 20 Nova Bus RTS suburban buses from Golden Gate Transit that are used on Mesa and Chandler express routes, but will be sent back in 2008 after being replaced with C40LFR buses with "semi-suburban" seating. In March 2007, Phoenix negotiated a short-term (six-month) lease of three RTS buses from Omnitrans to operate local routes that were served by Phoenix-purchased RTS buses and New Flyer D40LF buses that had been taken out of service earlier than expected.

For 2008 Valley Metro will continue the purchase of New Flyer equipment with an order of 52 C40LFR CNG suburban buses and 10 New Flyer D60LFA buses (Valley Metro is the third agency to order this bus type) for more East Valley "supergrid" expansion. The C40LFR buses will have "semi-suburban" seating similar to that of SamTrans, Golden Gate Transit, and King County Metro. This will allow for these buses to be used on both local and express routes, merging the vandal-resistant features of local buses with the comfortable features of express buses.

Note that this listing does not include route 660-Wickenburg Regional Connector or GUS (Glendale Urban Shuttle) vehicles.

Builder Model Year Length Fuel Number(s) Quantity Operator(s) Notes
New Flyer D40LF 1994 40' Diesel 4002-4072 20 Veolia-RPTA, First Transit All of these buses were originally operated by Veolia-Phoenix. In 1999 and 2002, buses 4002-4039 were transferred to Veolia-RPTA and 4040-4072 were transferred to First Transit. In 2007 most of these buses were retired due to air conditioning issues, but around 15 buses continue to operate for Veolia-RPTA and only a handful operate for First Transit. All remaining vehicles will exit from service in 2008.
New Flyer D40LF 1996 40' Diesel 3701-3729 29 First Transit These buses are similar to the 1994 D40LFs. Originally, all were operated by Veolia-Phoenix, but were transferred to First Transit from 1999-2004. 3727 was built as an L40LF LNG test bed, but was converted to diesel after being transferred to Veolia-RPTA. It was retired in 2006, and most of the others have been retired early despite the FTA 12-year minimum.
Nova Bus RTWFD82 1997 40' Diesel 6461-6480 20 Veolia-RPTA These buses are owned by Golden Gate Transit in California and have been leased from January 2006 until 2008. They have 1 door and full highback, reclining suburban seating with reading lights and luggage racks. These buses operate routes 510, 512, 531-533, and 540-541. Originally, they were numbered 1311-1330, but were renumbered due to conflict with Dial-A-Ride vehicles in the 1300 series. These are the only 40-foot buses not equipped with Route Scout because Golden Gate Transit does not have it. These buses will be returned to Golden Gate Transit in 2008.
NABI 40-LFW 1998 40' LNG 6001-6156 156 Veolia-Phoenix These buses were the first LNG-powered production buses in Phoenix. Buses 6001-6029 have different number fonts and speaker locations, while buses 6030-6156 have "standard" speaker locations. Bus 6001 had a wheelchair sign but it was removed, bus 6002 has a wheelchair sign, and bus 6003 has space for a wheelchair sign but it was never installed. Buses 6071-6085 were leased to the RPTA from 2005 until 2006. Buses 6141-6156 have all lengthwise seating and are mostly used for training. Since 2006, these buses have been rehabilitated with the new paint scheme, new Luminator LEDot signs, new seat cushions, and new windows.
NABI 40-LFW 1998 40' LNG 6157-6163 7 Veolia-RPTA These buses are mostly operated during rush hours. They are identical to 6001-6156 but do not have advertisements.
NABI 40-LFW 1998 40' LNG 6164-6172 9 Veolia-Tempe These buses were the first ones purchased by Tempe and were built to the same specifications as 6001-6156 but without advertisements. In 2007, they had their Luminator LEDot signs replaced with Luminator Horizon signs. Bus 6165 has been repainted in the new colors.
NABI 40-LFW 1998 40' LNG 6173-6180 9 Veolia-Tempe These buses were built for the FLASH (Free Local Area SHuttle) service serving downtown Tempe and ASU and were originally painted in the maroon and white FLASH scheme. They have soft seats, a wheelchair sign, and no driver's side route sign. In 2007 their LEDot signs were replaced with Luminator Horizon signs. Buses 6173-6176 and 6179 were repainted in the new colors and given fareboxes in August 2007. These buses were traded with 1998 NABI 35-LFW buses 6184-6188 to increase capacity on local routes and decrease capacity on FLASH routes.
NABI 35-LFW 1998 35' LNG 6181-6195 15 Veolia-Tempe These buses have similar specifications to 6173-6180 and have Luminator Horizon signs. Bus 6181 was originally built as the "FLASH Lite on Mill" bus and remained in FLASH colors until 2006, when it was repainted as the "Tempe in Motion 10th Anniversary" bus, and wore handprints until 2007. This bus continues to operate FLASH service except during the summer of 2007, when it operated local service. Buses 6182-6187 were always painted in Valley Metro colors and were leased to the RPTA until 2000, when they were returned to Tempe. Buses 6188-6195 were painted in "BOLT" colors until 2002, when BOLT was integrated into Valley Metro. Buses 6182-6183 were repainted into FLASH colors in 2005. Buses 6184-6188 have no farebox and operate FLASH service, although 6184-6186 and 6188 are in the old Valley Metro colors. 6187 was repainted into the new green FLASH colors in 2007.
ElDorado National E-Z Rider 1998 30' LNG 4101-4120 20 Veolia-Tempe Originally, these buses were painted in BOLT colors but were repainted in 2002. They had Luminator LEDot signs that were replaced with Luminator Horizon signs in 2007. These buses also have lights mounted on top of the advertising racks, but have no advertisements.
ElDorado National E-Z Rider 1999 30' LNG 4121-4145 25 Veolia-Tempe These buses are similar to the 1998 E-Z Rider buses, but were built with TwinVision LEDot signs, no wheelchair sign, two wheelchair ramps, and lights mounted on the bottom of the advertising racks. Buses 4121-4131 were originally painted in BOLT colors but were repainted in 2002. Buses 4132-4145 were leased to the RPTA and were gradually returned between 2002 and 2006. Bus 4132 is in the new colors.
NABI 35-LFW 1999 35' LNG 6196-6210 15 Veolia-Tempe These buses are similar to the 1998 35-LFWs, but were built with Twin Vision LEDot signs, which were replaced by Luminator Horizon signs, and green tinted windows rather than brown tinted windows. All of these buses were originally in BOLT colors but were repainted in 2002.
NABI 40-LFW 1999 40' LNG 6211-6245 35 Veolia-Phoenix These buses are different from the 1998 Veolia-Phoenix 40-LFWs in the fact that they have Twin Vision LEDot signs, a slightly different front end, a wheelchair lift sign in the rear, slightly different flooring, TSI seating (rather than American Seating), and different speakers. Some of these buses have been rehabilitated with the new color scheme, new windows, and new seat cushions.
NABI 40-LFW 1999 40' LNG 6246-6254 9 Veolia-RPTA These buses are mostly operated during peak hours. They are similar to the Veolia-Phoenix 1999 40-LFW buses, but have no advertisements and are getting new seat cushions of a different type than on the Phoenix buses. Bus 6247 has been repainted in the new colors, but with smaller titles and other different details. Bus 6254 is on lease to Veolia-Tempe.
NABI 40-LFW 1999 40' LNG 6255 1 Veolia-Tempe This one-of-a-kind bus is owned by the city of Scottsdale and operated by Veolia-Tempe because Tempe provides all intra-Scottsdale bus service. It is different from the other 1999 40-LFW buses in that it has no driver's side LED sign, has a small LED "runbox" by the front door, has a different seating configuration in the "high floor" section of the bus, and soft seats. This bus will probably get Luminator Horizon signs because the current TwinVision LEDot signs are not functioning correctly.
NABI 35-LFW 2000 35' LNG 6256-6261 6 Veolia-RPTA These buses are owned by the city of Scottsdale but are operated by Veolia-RPTA. Ironically, they are rarely used in Scottsdale and instead mostly operate routes in Mesa. They are similar to bus 6255 but have a different seating configuration in the low-floor section compared to 6255.
ElDorado National E-Z Rider 2000 30' LNG 4146-4154 9 Veolia-RPTA, Veolia-Tempe These buses are owned by the city of Scottsdale. They differ from the 1999 E-Z Rider buses in that they were built with Luminator LEDot signs (including a driver's side route sign), a single wheelchair ramp, an extra seat, a black carpeted rear wall, and a gray (rather than white) driver's area. Buses 4146-4159 are operated by Veolia-RPTA and rarely see service in Scottsdale itself, but eventually will be transferred to Veolia-Tempe. Bus 4146 was formerly a "Poetry in Motion" bus but wears the "old" Valley Metro colors. Bus 4148 has been repainted in the new colors. Buses 4150-4154 are operated by Veolia-Tempe and tend to service routes 66, 76, 84, and 114 because these routes also serve the city of Scottsdale. Buses 4152-4154 have had their LEDot signs replaced with Luminator Horizon signs.
ElDorado National E-Z Rider 2001 30' LNG 4155-4163 9 Veolia-RPTA These buses are owned by the city of Scottsdale. Like 4146-4149, they rarely see service in Scottsdale itself. These buses are nearly identical to 4146-4154, but have ceiling-mounted "Step Up/Step Down" signs.
NABI 40-LFW 2001 40' CNG 6262-6281 20 Veolia-RPTA From 2001-2005, these buses were owned by the city of Mesa and operated by Veolia-Mesa until that division was merged into that of Veolia-RPTA. Now, these buses are owned by the RPTA. They were the first NABI buses to be powered by CNG and have a CNG tank on the roof. As a result, their A/C unit has been relocated from the rooftop to the rear of the bus. These buses were also the first to feature TwinVision Amber LED signs. Inside, they are similar to 40-LFW buses 6211-6254 except for an A/C vent on the rear wall and welded walls (as opposed to screwed-in walls). These buses are having their seat cushions replaced.
ElDorado National E-Z Rider 2001 30' LNG 4164-4172 9 Veolia-Phoenix These buses were built and operate the Copper Square DASH (Downtown Area SHuttle) service in Downtown Phoenix, and are painted with a copper and black color scheme. During the first Friday of each month, these buses also operate the Artlink First Friday service around the trendy Roosevelt Row district of downtown Phoenix. These buses feature TwinVision Amber LED signs, new blue tinted windows, and a rear wheelchair sign (but no driver side sign). Inside they feature the same hard seats as the 1998 Phoenix-operated 40-LFW buses, as well as smooth (as opposed to glossy) ceilings.
ElDorado National E-Z Rider 2002 30' LNG 4173-4175 3 Veolia-Phoenix These buses almost always operate on Route 131-START, and were owned by the RPTA until 2005 when the service was taken over by Phoenix. On rare occasions, they may substitute for DASH or First Friday shuttles. They are identical to 4164-4172 except that they are painted in the green and purple Valley Metro color scheme and also have fareboxes.
NABI 40-LFW 2002 40' LNG 6282-6377 96 Veolia-Phoenix These buses are similar to 6001-6156, but have TwinVision Amber LED signs, a rear wheelchair sign, the same front end as on the 1999 40-LFW buses, blue tinted windows, and a different number font. Inside they have "screwed-in" and welded walls as well as carpeted rear walls. Bus 6291 was retrofitted in 2004 with TwinVision Chroma IV multi-color signs. As a result, this bus operates during the summer and winter of each year as the "Flag Bus" and "Holiday Bus" respectively, because the multi-color signs can display special festive readings. During the spring and fall, this bus remains in the green and purple Valley Metro colors, but with the new seat cushions.
NABI 40-LFW 2002 40' LNG 6378-6381 4 Veolia-Tempe These are the most recent 40-LFW buses built for Valley Metro. These buses were delivered in the green and purple Valley Metro colors as opposed to the BOLT colors, but still have a BOLT interior. These buses were originally built with TwinVision Amber LED signs but they were replaced with Luminator Horizon signs in 2007. They have no advertisements both on the exterior and interior. Windows are much less tinted than those of the 2002 Phoenix-operated 40-LFW buses. Inside they are similar to buses 6173-6180, but have glossy light gray side walls (below the window line) and a glossy light gray rear wall, as well as different number fonts. Bus 6379 has been repainted in the new colors.
NABI 45C-LFW 2003 45' LNG 7101-7123 23 Veolia-Phoenix These were the first 45C-LFW "CompoBuses" ever produced, and have a composite carbon fiber design. These buses only operate Phoenix RAPID routes, and are painted in the green and silver RAPID livery. They have TwinVision signs and sealed, lightly tinted windows. Inside, they have highback reclining seats with adjustable headrests, dark gray walls, personal reading lights, air vents, and luggage racks.
NABI 45C-LFW 2004 45' LNG 7124-7156 33 Veolia-Phoenix These buses are identical to 7101-7123 but were delivered with the Route Scout system as opposed to 7101-7123 (which were delivered with the prior "Stop Requested" front sign and no automatic stop announcements). They also operate RAPID service.
NABI 45C-LFW 2004 45' LNG 7157-7164 8 Veolia-Tempe These buses are painted in the green and purple Valley Metro colors (as opposed to the RAPID colors as on 7101-7156) and operate Tempe express routes 520 and 521. On very rare occasions on weekends, these buses operate in Tempe local service. These buses have opening tinted windows, different highback reclining seats without headrests, light gray interiors, personal reading lights and air vents, and luggage racks.
New Flyer D60LF 2004 60' Diesel 8001-8020 20 Veolia-Phoenix These buses were the first D60LFs operated by Valley Metro and the first New Flyer buses since 1996. Due to a change in Arizona state law that considered ultra-low-sulfur diesel as an acceptable fuel for transit vehicles (from 1996-2004 all transit vehicles 30' and greater had to be powered by either CNG, LNG, or propane), Valley Metro was able to purchase articulated buses as at the time there was no LNG-powered articulated bus on the market. These buses do not have noticeably tinted windows, and also have TwinVision Amber LED signs, but starting with this order (and all subsequent orders) the driver's side LED sign was no longer a feature. These buses also have new floors and seats, but have the same beige and dark gray walls and ceiling as the earlier D40LF buses. These buses were the first to be delivered with Route Scout, but it was not activated until 2005. They are mostly used on crosstown Phoenix routes. This order was a joint order with Lane Transit District of Eugene, Oregon, who ordered five D60LFs built with identical specifications that were delivered at the same time as the Valley Metro order.
Startrans Replica Trolley 2004 30' Bio-Diesel 5001-5007 7 Ollie the Trolley These buses are owned by the city of Scottsdale and operate the Scottsdale Trolley route around downtown Scottsdale and the Scottdale Neighborhood Circulator around south Scottsdale. On occasion, they operate express service to various resorts in Scottsdale. They do not have Route Scout and have a wooden interior.
Startrans Replica Trolley 2006 30' Bio-Diesel 5008-5014 7 Ollie the Trolley These buses are owned by the city of Scottsdale and are nearly identical to buses 5001-5007.
New Flyer C40LFR 2006 40' CNG 6401-6452 52 Veolia-RPTA These were the first C40LFRs placed in service in the United States, as well as the first buses to wear the new Valley Metro livery and have the new RPTA interior. These buses can be found on nearly every RPTA-operated route. These buses were part of a joint order with Atlanta s MARTA system, which ordered similar buses around the same time. Inside, these buses feature dark blue tinted windows, USSC "Aries" passenger seating with blue seat inserts, new brighter lights, and a white corrugated vandal-resistant interior similar to that on Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses.
NABI 60-BRT 2006 60' CNG 8501-8510 10 Veolia-RPTA These 10 buses were originally ordered for East Valley express service (routes 531-533 and 540-541) but when service frequency increased to accommodate 40-foot buses, some of these buses were put onto busy crosstown routes such as route 30-University and route 61-Southern. These buses were part of a Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority order, and were built to similar specifications. However, unlike the LACMTA buses, they have TwinVision LED amber signs, a different A/C unit, blue rather than "rainbow" seat inserts, blue tinted windows, and no Transit TV (although this will be installed in 2008). Interior and exterior safety notices, however, are identical to those of LACMTA. These buses are also in the new Valley Metro color scheme.
New Flyer D40LFR 2007 40' Diesel 6453-6456 4 Veolia-RPTA These four buses are similar to 6401-6452, but have no rooftop CNG tank (the fuel tank is located under the three seats across from the rear door instead), lighter blue tinted windows, all lengthwise seating in the low-floor section, four wheelchair positions (as opposed to three), and more LED lighting. These buses were part of an order for VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio.
New Flyer D40LFR 2007 40' Diesel 6457-6460, 6481-6500 24 Veolia-RPTA, Valu Trans These buses are similar to 6453-6456, but have the "standard" seating configuration in the low floor section, and have highback non-reclining USSC "Aries" seats with headrests (only forward-facing seats). These "semi-suburban" buses do not have luggage racks or personal air vents/reading lights. As a result, these buses can be used on both local and express routes. These buses were also part of the order for VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio. The gap between 6460 and 6481 is filled by the Nova Bus RTWFD82 buses. Buses 6457-6460 and 6481-6488 are operated by Veolia-RPTA on all of their routes. Buses 6489-6500 are operated by Valu Trans on express routes 572-573.
New Flyer D40LF 2007 40' Diesel 6501-6596 96 First Transit, Veolia-Phoenix These buses were delivered in the new color scheme, and also have a grille over the engine to prevent overheating. However, they have the original D40LF design rather than the restyled front and rear design present on the D40LFR buses. Unlike the D40LFRs, these buses have their rear door three (instead of four) positions back fron the front door to allow easier loading and unloading with the wheelchair ramp (which is located in the rear), and this is the same position as on the 1994 and 1996 D40LF buses. These buses have the same flooring, seating type, and walls/ceiling as the 2004 D60LF buses, but they have new seat cushions, new light gray advertising racks with brighter lighting, different number font, and new windows. Buses 6501-6548 are operated by First Transit, while buses 6549-6596 are operated by Veolia-Phoenix.
New Flyer D60LF 2007 60' Diesel 8021-8050 30 Veolia-Phoenix These buses have the new color scheme and numbering font, but have smaller "Valley Metro" lettering compared to the 2007 D40LF buses. They have the exact same specifications as the 2007 D40LFs, but have two rooftop air conditioning units. They are utilized on busy Phoenix crosstown routes.
ElDorado National Aerotech 2007 25' Gasoline 1421-1460 40 Veolia-Tempe These buses are painted all blue and are used for the Tempe ORBIT circulator service. They have Freedman Seating soft mid-rise lengthwise gray seats, and do not have Route Scout or a "Stop Requested" sign.
Startrans Senator 2007 25' Gasoline 1461-1500 40 MV Transportation-Phoenix, First Transit, and Veolia-Phoenix These buses are all painted in the purple and white "Phoenix Neighborhood Circulator" color scheme. They have roll signs, hard gray forward-facing seats, a glossy white interior, and Route Scout. Buses 1461-1473 are operated by MV Transportation on the ALEX (Ahwatukee Local EXplorer) circulator route, buses 1474-1486 are operated by First Transit on the MARY (Maryvale Area Ride for You) circulator route, and buses 1487-1500 are operated by Veolia-Phoenix on the SMART (Sunnyslope Multi-access Area Residential Transit) circulator route.
ElDorado National Aero Elite 2007 30' Diesel Unknown Unknown Ajo Transportation These buses entered service on December 10, 2007. They operate route 685-Gila Bend Regional Connector service.

Note that this listing does not include GMC New Look, route 70-Luke Link, route 660-Wickenburg Regional Connector, Scottsdale Roundup (predecessor to the current Scottsdale Trolley service), or GUS the Bus retired vehicles.

Builder Model Year Length Fuel Number(s) Quantity Year Retired Notes
Flxible 53096 "New Look" 1973 40' Diesel 4701-4740 40 1994 These were the first buses produced for Phoenix Transit System. They were originally painted in the Phoenix "Phase I" color scheme, which had a white, silver, and yellow base, orange and purple stripes running across the sides, and an orange stripe around the windshield rims. These buses also featured "Tico" an orange anthropomorphic sun-shaped figure with a sombrero and sunglasses These buses also had soft blue "bucket" seats. In the late-1980s, these buses were rehabilitated and repainted into the Phoenix "Phase III" color scheme, which featured modified orange and purple stripes, with black paint up to the white roofline (to simulate the RTS and Flxible Metro-A buses), and white below the stripes. The "Tico" logo was also featured in this livery, but was replaced in 1993 by a small Valley Metro logo. These buses also received Vultron flip-dot signs at this time. These buses were replaced by the 1994 New Flyer D40LF buses.
Flxible 53096 "New Look" 1975 40' Diesel 4741-4755 15 1994 These buses were identical to the 1973 Flxible buses and went through the same changes as the 1973 Flxible buses.
AM General Model 9640A 1975 40' Diesel 4756-4788 33 1996 These buses were the first AM General buses built for Phoenix Transit System. They were all delivered in the "Phase I" scheme and featured rollsigns and soft blue bucket seats. They had woodgrain and white side walls as well. In the late-1980s these buses received Vultron signs and were repainted into the "Phase III" scheme. All of these buses were replaced by the 1996 New Flyer D40LF buses.
AM General Model 9640A 1975 40' Diesel 5101-5115 15 1996 These buses were similar to 4756-4788, but featured 51 seats instead of 47 (Phoenix Transit System numbered their buses with the first two digits representing the number of passenger seats per bus).
MAN/AM General SG-220 1979 60' Diesel 7001-7020 20 1998 These were the first articulated buses delivered to Phoenix Transit System. When they were first delivered, they were painted in the Phoenix "Phase I" colors. They also featured an electronic route number sign that was paired with a standard destination roll sign, and an underfloor A/C unit that proved to be extremely unreliable during Phoenix's hot summers. Inside, the buses featured blue floors, soft blue bucket seats (with hard plastic seats at the rear of the buses), aluminum and cream side walls, illuminated advertising racks, and a cream-colored ceiling. In the late 1980s these buses also were repainted in the "Phase III" scheme, received Vultron destination signs, and a rooftop A/C unit. These buses were retired in 1998, but were not replaced by articulated buses because there were no articulated buses that were fueled by LNG in the United States at the time. They were sold to World Transportation (now Coach USA) in Orlando, Florida after retirement.
GMC T8H-203 "RTS-03" 1979 40' Diesel 4501-4537 37 2002 These buses were the first RTS buses delivered to Phoenix Transit System. Originally, they were painted in the Phoenix "Phase II" colors, which were similar to the "Phase III" colors but featured an orange rim around the front windshield. These buses were delivered with rollsigns, sealed windows, and low-profile A/C units, which gave the buses a distinctive "slopeback" rear end. These buses also featured blue floors, soft blue seats (with hard plastic seats in the rear of the buses) blue walls below the windowline, cream window dividers, a blue rear wall, illuminated advertising racks, and glossy ceilings. In the late-1980s these buses received Vultron signs, four opening windows on each side (replacing the sealed windows), and an A/C unit that "squared off" the rear of the bus. In 1994, some of these buses were retrofitted with wheelchair lifts and given the then-new green and purple Valley Metro scheme. While most of these buses were replaced by the 1998 NABI 40-LFW buses (because they were not wheelchair accessible) the accessible units stayed in service until January 2002.
GMC T8J-204 "RTS-04" 1981 40' Diesel 4401-4415 15 2002 These buses were the first wheelchair-accessible buses to enter service in Phoenix. Originally, they featured first generation flip-dot signs, sealed windows, and a squared-off rear end with a more reliable A/C unit. Inside, the buses were similar to the RTS-03 buses but featured lights mounted above the advertising racks (rather than having the entire advertising rack illuminated). They were delivered in the "Phase II" scheme like the RTS-03 buses. In the late 1980s, the buses received two opening side windows, new Vultron signs, and the "Phase III" scheme. They were repainted into the Valley Metro scheme in 1994 and remained in service until late 2001 and early 2002. At this point, they were leased to the Utah Transit Authority for extra service during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Bus 4401 has been restored, repainted into a modified "Phase III" scheme with the "Tico" logo (but without black windshield rims and a different number font) and put on display in Central Station as part of the Valley Metro historic fleet.
GMC T8J-204 "RTS-04" 1981 40' Diesel 4301-4315? 15? 1999? These buses were not delivered new to Phoenix Transit, but were acquired second-hand in 1994 from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. These buses were originally built for the Southern California Rapid Transit District and featured similar specifications to the Phoenix Transit 1981 RTS-04 buses (sealed frameless windows, first-generation flipdot signs, pantograph doors, wheelchair lifts, etc). Inside, they featured a brown (rather than blue) interior. These buses were the first Phoenix-operated buses to be painted in the Valley Metro scheme, and were given Vultron signs. All were replaced no later than 1999.
GMC T8J-204 "RTS-04" 1982 40' Diesel 4538-4557 20 2002 Originally, these buses were numbered 4416-4435, but were renumbered due to conflicts with the 1988 TMC RTS buses. These buses were all wheelchair-accessible and were very similar to the 1981 RTS buses. They also went through the same modifications as the 1981 RTS buses, but upon retirement in 2002 did not end up in Utah. Bus 4548 has been preserved as a display bus for the Phoenix Family Museum.
Flxible/Grumman 40102 "Metro-A" 1983 40' Diesel 4801-4867 67 1998 These buses were some of the first Metro-A buses built, and were built with a Grumman nameplate rather than a Flxible nameplate. These buses were not wheelchair accessible, and featured first-generation flipdot signs (which were replaced with Vultron signs in the late 1980s). These buses were delivered with openable windows for about half the length of the bus. Inside, they featured a very similar interior to that of the RTS buses, but featured black (rather than cream) window dividers. None of these buses were repainted in the green and purple Valley Metro scheme. Because of the fact that they lacked wheelchair accessibility and commonality with the rest of the fleet, they were retired before the older GMC RTS-04 (and some of the RTS-03) buses.
MAN SG-310 1984 60' Diesel 7021-7035 25 1998 These buses were modified versions of the earlier SG-220 buses. They were the first buses to be delivered with Vultron signs, and were delivered in the "Phase II" scheme. Externally, these buses had a narrower rear (compared to the SG-220s) and originally featured lavatories that were removed in the 1990s due to maintenance problems (they were located at the rear of the bus on the driver's side, where there is a blank space). Inside, the buses were very similar to the SG-220 buses but featured lights that were located above the advertising racks (rather than having the entire advertising rack illuminated). These buses were repainted in the "Phase III" scheme but were never repainted in the Valley Metro scheme. Due to the fact that they were not wheelchair accessible, these buses were retired earlier compared to other buses, and were replaced by the NABI 40-LFWs. Because of the fact that there were no articulated buses available to replace these buses at the time, standard 40-foot buses replaced them. Until 2004, they were stored at the Veolia-Phoenix South Division and used as spare parts sources for the 1985 SG-310 buses, and bus 7035 was used as a training bus (in Phase III colors) until 2004.
MAN SG-310 1985 60' Diesel 7036-7056 21 2004 These buses were identical to the 1984 SG-310s, but featured a front wheelchair lift, which prolonged their life to 19 years. These buses were delivered in the "Phase II" scheme and were repainted both into the "Phase III" scheme and the green and purple Valley Metro scheme by 1999. These buses were mostly used on a small handful of crosstown routes, routes 12 and 15 (which had low ridership but could tie into express runs) and express routes 531-533, 540-541, and 560. Towards the end of their service, they suffered from major air conditioning problems during the summer. They were replaced by the 2004 New Flyer D60LF buses.
Orion Bus Industries 01.502 1987 30' Diesel 2701-2710 10 2002 These buses were some of the earliest 30-foot buses to be delivered to Phoenix. When new, they were in the "Phase II" scheme and featured Vultron signs. Their interior was very similar to that of the SG-310 buses. These buses were repainted in the "Phase III" scheme and then the green and purple Valley Metro colors. In the early 1990s some were leased to the city of Tempe but were returne in 1998, when they were placed into service on RPTA routes. This RPTA subfleet was retired in 1999. Several more buses continued in service on route 131-START until 2002, when they were repalced with ElDorado E-Z Rider buses.
TMC T80-206 "RTS-06" 1988 40' Diesel 4416-4433 18 2007 These buses were the first to be painted in the Phoenix "Phase III" scheme. These buses featured framed (as opposed to frameless) windows and plug (as opposed to pantograph) doors. They featured an interior that was very similar to the 1982 RTS-04 buses but they did not feature hard seats at the rear of the bus. All of these buses were repainted into Valley Metro green and purple, and given Route Scout towards the end of their service. All were retired in 2007 after being replaced by D40LFs.
TMC T80-206 "RTS-06" 1989 40' Diesel 4434-4435 2 2007 These buses were built as methanol demonstrators but were converted to diesel fuel in the 1990s. They were similar to the 1988 TMC buses but had different rear door windows, slightly different rear sides, and black side/rear walls.
TMC T70-206 "RTS-06" 1989 35' Diesel 3501-3515 15 2007 These buses originally operated on Veolia-Phoenix routes. When built, they were delivered in Phoenix Transit Phase III colors. In 1994, they were leased to Tempe to form the initial fleet of the FLASH (Free Local Area SHuttle) service. In 1998, they were sent back to First Transit routes and repainted in green and purple. These buses were similar to the 1989 40-foot buses but featured softer blue seats.
Orion Bus Industries 02.502 1989 21' Diesel 2000 1 1990s? This bus was a prototype for the 1990 Orion II order. It was 4 feet shorter than the production buses and may have been used in Dial-A-Ride service as a test bus. It was retired by 1999.
TMC T80-206 "RTS-06" 1990 40' Diesel 4436-4475 40 2007 These were the last TMC RTS buses built for Phoenix Transit. They were very similar to the 1989 TMC buses and featured the same type of softer seats. In 2002 these buses were rehabilitated with new seat cushions and other interior enhancements. Although the majority operated for Veolia-Phoenix, there was a subfleet that operated for First Transit. All of these buses were replaced by New Flyer D40LFs in 2007.
Gillig 35102 "Phantom" 1990 35' Diesel 961-967 7 2004 This small subfleet of Gillig buses were the only Gilligs built new for Phoenix Transit. All were delivered in the "Phase III" scheme and operated for Veolia-Phoenix. In the mid-1990s they were all transferred to First Transit. These buses featured a very similar interior to that of the 1990 TMC RTS-06 buses but featured cream-colored walls. Interestingly, they were indirectly replaced by the NABI 45C-LFW buses, because the delivery of these buses to Veolia-Phoenix enabled Veolia-Phoenix to transfer D40LF buses to First Transit, which replaced the Gilligs by the summer of 2004.
Orion Bus Industries 02.501 1990 25' Diesel 2001-2006 6 2001 These buses were used to launch the DASH (Downtown Area SHuttle) service in downtown Phoenix in 1990. They were delivered with Vultron signs and an orange and purple color scheme. These buses were also the first all low-floor buses in Phoenix service. All were replaced by E-Z Rider buses in November 2001.
Gillig 40096 "Phantom" 1991 40' Diesel 250-263 14 2006 In 2005, following an Arizona State University program to give all students and staff free bus passes, as well as the unsuitability of the 1994 ElDorado National Transmark buses to handle increased ridership, Valley Metro leased 14 buses from Foothill Transit of West Covina, California until the C40LFR buses were delivered in 2006. These buses retained their Foothill Transit numbers (without the "F" prefix) and were painted all white with a Valley Metro logo. These buses did not have functioning destination signs (because they were programmed for Foothill Transit rather than Valley Metro routes) so a makeshift sign using a small yellow card was used. These buses had front wheelchair lifts and non-tinted windows. Inside, they had a "semi-suburban" interior with highback non-reclining soft seating, individual reading lights and air vents, but no luggage racks. They also had cream and gray walls. Despite their semi-suburban interior, these buses were mostly used on Veolia-RPTA local routes. All were retired in 2006 and sent back to Foothill Transit, who retired them.
Orion Bus Industries 02.501 1992 25' Diesel 2007-2008 2 2001 These buses were used for the expansion of DASH service to the State Capitol. They were nearly identical to the 1990 Orion II buses and were retired in 2001.
Gillig 40102 "Phantom" 1992 40' Diesel 3010 1 1998 This bus was a prototype Gillig bus that was used to determine whether Valley Metro wanted to purchase a new order of Gillig buses. It was delivered in 1992 and originally painted in Phoenix Transit colors before being repainted in Valley Metro colors by 1993. This bus featured Vultron signs, blue flooring, blue and black hard seats, and gray and cream walls. This bus was operated for the RPTA until it was replaced in 1998. It was retained as a training bus before being sold off in 2005.
Neoplan USA AN440LF 1993 40' Diesel 4001 1 1998 This bus was the first delivered in the then-new Valley Metro green and purple colors, and was also the first 40-foot low-floor bus in the Phoenix area (and all of Arizona). It originally had specifications that were very similar to the 1994 New Flyer D40LFs, but had a ramp (rather than steps) connecting the high-floor section of the bus to the low-floor section of the bus. This bus was used as a prototype to determine what buses Valley Metro would order. After Valley Metro ordered D40LFs, this bus was operated in regular service for Veolia-RPTA until 1998, when it was turned into an employee shuttle bus and training bus. It was sold off in 2005.
TMC T80-206 "RTS-06" 1994 40' Diesel 6481-6483 3 2007 These buses were leased in early 2007 from Omnitrans of San Bernardino, California to fill in for RTS buses that had broken down and were unable to be repaired. They operated First Transit routes and operated from January 2007 until May 2007. They were painted all white and had signs that were retrofitted from D40LF buses. Inside, they featured blue floors and hard seats, as well as cream-colored walls. They featured Route Scout because Omnitrans had it installed on their buses. Rear doors were pantograph-style and all windows were openable.
ElDorado National Transmark RE-32 1994 35' CNG 2301-2325 25 2005 These buses were built for the city of Mesa to replace Mesa Sunrunner buses. They featured Luminator Mega:MAX destination signs and the green and purple Valley Metro livery. Inside, these buses featured soft seats and a similar interior to the 1994 New Flyer D40LF buses. In 2005, following the combination of Veolia-Mesa with Veolia-RPTA, it was determined that it would be more cost-efficient to retire these buses early and replace them with leased Gillig Phantom buses.
Orion Bus Industries 02.501 1994 25' CNG 2009-2014 6 1998 These buses were some of the first CNG-powered buses in Phoenix, and were also the first buses purchased new by the city of Tempe. They featured Vultron signs and were quite similar to the 1992 Orion 02.501s with the exception of seat colors. These buses operated in FLASH service until 1998, when they were replaced with 40-LFW buses. Two buses were withdrawn in 1996 and sold to OC Transpo in Ottawa, Ontario.
ElDorado National Transmark RE-32 1995 35' CNG 2326-2329 4 2002 These buses were ordered for the RPTA and operated with Veolia-RPTA. Most of the time they operated routes around the city of Scottsdale. They were withdrawn from service in 2002 after a division reorganization.
ElDorado National Transmark RE-32 1995 35' CNG 2330 1 2002 This bus was built for Scottsdale Connection. Originally, it featured a white and gray livery but in the late-1990s was wrapped into a color scheme that was designed by students from local schools. Inside this bus featured blue hard seats. Following the amalgamation of Scottsdale Connection into Valley Metro, this bus was withdrawn from service.
Blue Bird Corporation CSFE 1996 30' Diesel 2501-2506 6 2002 These buses were built for Scottsdale Connection. They were high-floor and featured a rear wheelchair lift. Inside, they featured blue hard seats. Following the integration of Scottsdale Connection into Valley Metro in 2002, these buses were withdrawn from service due to their lack of commonality with the rest of the fleet. They were sold to the University of Arizona because they could not be retired from service.
Gillig 40102 "Phantom" 1996 40' Diesel 9108-9110 3 2006 These buses were also leased along with Foothill Transit Gilligs to handle Arizona State University-related ridership increases, as well as the condition of the ElDorado Transmark buses. These buses were leased from Hertz Corporation where they formerly operated airport rental car shuttles around Los Angeles International Airport. Some of these buses had a black window line and white below, but another was painted all white with the Valley Metro logo. Because these buses were built for rental car shuttle service, they were unique compared to regular transit buses. They had no destination signs at all, and had a wide rear door to fit luggage. They had small "Hertz" signs that remained with the buses but were covered up to signify that Valley Metro was leasing the buses. Inside, they featured black carpeted floors, a front wheelchair lift, and all lengthwise (except for the rear) soft black and yellow seating. Originally, these buses featured luggage racks but they were removed and replaced with a wheelchair position. These buses also featured cream and black carpeted walls, as well as no stop request system (although they did feature an interior LED sign that did not function). As a result, a "conductor" also operated these buses to help passengers get off the bus. Ad racks were carpeted and these buses also featured yellow lighting. Some of these buses received new seats and flooring, but the others retained their Hertz configuration until withdrawal in 2006.
ElDorado National Aerotech 1999 25' Gasoline 861-864 4 2005 These buses were originally purchased by the city of Mesa but were transferred to Neighborhood FLASH (now ORBIT) service in 2001. They were painted in the standard Valley Metro green and purple color scheme, and had soft gray seats.
ElDorado National MST 2000 30' CNG 2401-2406 6 2006 These buses were purchased by the city of Mesa and in 2005 were retained by Veolia-RPTA. They featured Luminator LEDot signs on the front, passenger side, and rear of the buses. They were high floor and inside featured thin shell seats, gray walls, and "wrapped" windows. These buses were also retrofitted with Route Scout. After Veolia-RPTA took over their operation, they were used mostly during rush hours only, especially on route 30-University. They were replaced indirectly by NABI 60-BRT buses.
Startrans Senator 2001 25' Gasoline 1318-1324 7 2004 These buses were purchased by the city of Phoenix to start the ALEX (Ahwatukee Local EXplorer) service. They were wrapped and had a blue livery. Inside they featured soft seats and no Route Scout. They were replaced by the 2004 Startrans buses.
Startrans Senator 2002 25' Gasoline 1331 1 2007 This bus was purchased as a suppliment in 2002 to operate ALEX service. It was identical to the 2001 Startrans buses except for a different rear door. It was retired in 2007.
Startrans Senator 2003 25' Gasoline 1332-1340 8 2007 These buses were purchased for Neighborhood FLASH service. They were painted all white with a small Neighborhood FLASH logo and had no destination signs. Inside they had soft seats arranged around the perimeter of the bus. They were replaced in 2007.
Startrans Senator 2004 25' Gasoline 1341-1347 7 2007 These buses were purchased to replace buses 1318-1324 and operated on the ALEX service. They featured a new paint scheme, no rollsigns, thin gray seats, and Route Scout. They were replaced in 2007.
Startrans Senator 2005 25' Gasoline 1399-1402 4 2007 These buses were purchased for Neighborhood FLASH service. They were identical to the 2003 Startrans buses but had a larger "Stop Requested" sign and larger wheelchair lift door windows. They were withdrawn from service in 2007.
Startrans Senator SII 2005 25' Gasoline Unknown Unknown 2007 These buses were used to launch route 685-Gila Bend Regional Connector service. They were replaced in late 2007 by larger Aero Elite vehicles.

There are also vanpool and carpool services coordinated by Valley Metro, often through employer group programs. Capitol Rideshare is among the largest, operating for employees of Arizona state government. Many other employers also have similar "trip reduction" programs to convince their workers to use transit alternatives. Despite the lesser media attention it receives, rideshare is one of Valley Metro's most widely used services and may be expanded in the future.

 This article or section contains information about a proposed, planned, or expected public transportation infrastructure in the United States.
It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the construction and/or completion of the infrastructure approaches, and more information becomes available.

Main article: METRO Light Rail

The planning of light rail in the Phoenix area has been an objective since Valley Metro's formation. In 1989, area voters were asked to have their say on expanded bus services and the implementation of elevated rail (a plan known as "Val-Trans") in a referendum.

The routing of three currently operating (and heavily traveled) bus routes would have been the elevated rail lines' paths, and referred to by these color designations:

  • Blue Line, traveling from South Phoenix, through downtown and the Central Avenue corridor, along Camelback Road and the upscale Biltmore area, along 24th Street (passing the historic Arizona Biltmore resort), Lincoln Drive, State Route 51, 32nd Street, Shea Boulevard, Tatum Road, and eventually serving Paradise Valley Mall and Mayo Clinic Phoenix.
  • Green Line, traveling along Thomas Road between Desert Sky Mall in West Phoenix, to the intersection of Thomas and 81st Street in the city of Scottsdale (the resulting bus line is now the most heavily used in the Valley Metro system).
  • In addition, there was a route called the Yellow Line that operated from 83rd Avenue/Peoria, down Grand Avenue (US 60) (a major arterial street which runs diagonally from the northwest into downtown Phoenix) to the Washington/Jefferson couplet, and down Washington Street to Sun Devil Stadium and the ASU campus in Tempe. This route was discontinued in 2003, as a result of a road improvement project for Grand Avenue led by the Arizona Department of Transportation; the project eliminated seven major at-grade intersections on Grand in the cities of Phoenix and Glendale (the new overpasses/underpasses did not have bus stops, making transfers impossible). The part of the route that traveled on Washington was renamed Route 1-Washington, and the Grand Avenue segment was converted to the "Grand Avenue Limited" commuter bus route that operates during rush hours and makes only limited stops.

Funding for Val-Trans would have been from a sales tax plan with a set expiration and reapproval date in 30 years. The Val-Trans proposal was soundly defeated at the polls.

Similar referendums were voted down in 1993 and 1997, although Tempe voters passed a half-percent sales tax dedicated for transit (which partly allowed officials to study light rail) in 1996. In 2000, the Transit 2000 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which involved a 0.4 per cent sales tax, was approved by voters in Phoenix. This would involve improvements of the local bus service and the formation of bus rapid transit and light rail, among other things. Valley Metro Rail has a goal of a one-third farebox ratio according to [9], and the RTP anticipates this to rise to 45% by 2025. The plan implemented studies for further rail service, though for some time in the future. It also used the route placing and color designations from the 1989 plan.

METRO light rail system map
METRO light rail system map

The first line of the light rail system, to be named METRO following the results of a 2003 contest, will be a 20-mile (32-km) line serving Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. The line will cost $1.4 billion USD, and will open in 2008. Construction began in March 2005. The line will mainly operate on city streets in a "center reservation," similar to the Red Line of the METRO light rail system in Houston and the surface sections of the Green Line in Boston.

Prototype on display, November 2005
Prototype on display, November 2005

The line will start at the area of 19th Avenue and Montebello (just south of Bethany Home Road), then follow 19th Avenue, Camelback Road, Central Avenue, the 1st Avenue/Central Avenue couplet, the Washington/Jefferson Street couplet, Washington Street, a private right-of-way around Arizona State University, Apache Boulevard, and Main Street to an intersection just east of Dobson Road. Twenty-seven stops are to be built along the route (see map).

Greater Phoenix covers many suburban areas previously not viewed as appropriate for rail. This has changed as the cities grow and increase in density.

A large, area-wide mixed transportation plan was approved in the 2004 elections. More light rail extensions are to be built. Among them are extensions:

  • north to Metrocenter (a major regional shopping mall in north central Phoenix),
  • west to Glendale from its terminus at Montebello,
  • to the western suburbs, following adjacent to I-10,
  • northward along Route 51 up to Paradise Valley Mall in northeast Phoenix,
  • from the flagship campus of Arizona State University (ASU) to southern Tempe,
  • eastward from the Mesa terminus, and
  • in Scottsdale, running along Scottsdale Road past the new ASU "Skysong" Center, a high-tech research area, at the intersection with McDowell Road (on the site of the former Los Arcos Mall, a 1970's-era regional shopping center which declined after the 1990s and was demolished in 2000). The Skysong project faced some local opposition from residents fearing a duplication of the stereotypical "party" atmosphere associated with the ASU Tempe campus, but civic groups and residents have gradually given it more support.

The plan also identifies several "eligible high capacity corridors" (Figure 8-4) for added service within a few decades, committing to future study of light rail as an option for these routes. They are:

Increasing city development may spur more frequent service, further suburban extensions, and one day, regional rail services to other Arizona cities. Elevated or subway lines may also be installed. Voters have, however, opposed similar plans in the past.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_Metro_%28Phoenix%29"
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