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{{Short description|Regional transportation system in Phoenix, AZ}}
{| align="right" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 20em; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px #aaa solid; border-color: black; background: #f9f9f9; margin: .5em"
{{other uses}}
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; color: white; background: Purple" | Valley Metro
{{Infobox Public transit
|-
| name = Valley Metro
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Serves'''
| image = Valley Metro logo.svg
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin;" | [[Phoenix metropolitan area|Greater Phoenix]]
| imagesize = 250px
|-
| locale = [[Phoenix metropolitan area]]
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; border-color: black; color: white; background: Teal" | Hours of Operation
| transit_type = [[Public transport bus service|Bus]] <br> [[Paratransit]] <br> [[Microtransit]] <br> [[Transit bus]] <br> [[Vanpool]] <br> [[Light rail]] <br> [[Tram|Streetcar]]
|-
| lines = Light rail: 2<br/ >Streetcar: 1<br />Express/RAPID bus: 19<br />Bus: 102
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Weekdays'''
| stations = 41 (light rail)<br/>14 (streetcar)
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin;" | 3:15am&ndash;12:30am
| daily_ridership = {{American transit ridership|AZ Phoenix Valley Metro total daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}}
|-
| annual_ridership = {{American transit ridership|AZ Phoenix Valley Metro total annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}}
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Saturdays'''
| chief_executive =
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin;" | 5:00am&ndash;12:00am 1:00am (Downtown Tempe)
| headquarters = 101 North 1st Avenue<br /> [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
|-
| website = {{url|valleymetro.org}}
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Sundays<br />Holidays'''
| began_operation = 1993<ref>{{cite web|title=Valley Metro – History and Local Funding|url=http://www.valleymetro.org/overview/history_funding|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907072445/http://www.valleymetro.org/overview/history_funding|archive-date=7 September 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin;" | 5:00am&ndash;11:00pm
| operator = {{Plainlist|
|-
* [[Valley Metro Bus]]
|! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; border-color: black; color: white; background: Teal" | '''Fixed Route Buses'''
* [[Valley Metro Rail]]
|-
* [[Valley Metro Streetcar]]
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Fleet'''
}}
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 694
}}
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Routes'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 83 (60 local, 22 express/rapid, 2 limited stop)
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Annual Ridership'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 51.8 million
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Operating Cost<br />Per Passenger'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | $2.45
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''[[Farebox recovery ratio|Farebox Ratio]]'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 23.07%
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; border-color: black; color: white; background: Teal" | Shuttle/Circulator
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Fleet'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 47
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Annual Ridership'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 2.5 million
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Operating Cost<br />Per Passenger'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | $1.48
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''[[Farebox recovery ratio|Farebox Ratio]]'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 0.32%
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; border-color: black; color: white; background: Teal" | Dial-a-Ride
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Type'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''[[Paratransit]]'''
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Fleet'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 283
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Annual Ridership'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 1.0 million
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Operating Cost<br />Per Passenger'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | $23.52
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''[[Farebox recovery ratio|Farebox Ratio]]'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 5.19%
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; border-color: black; color: white; background: Teal" | Vanpool
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Annual Ridership'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 0.9 million
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Operating Cost<br />Per Passenger'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | $1.99
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''[[Farebox recovery ratio|Farebox Ratio]]'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 82.78%
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; border-color: black; color: white; background: Teal" | Light Rail
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''[[Rail gauge|Rail Gauge]]'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | [[Standard gauge|Standard]] (4 ft 8&frac12; in)
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Opened'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | December [[2008]] (anticipated)
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Fleet'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 36
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Stops'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 27 (32 stations)
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''System Length'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 20 [[mile|mi.]] (32.2 [[kilometer|km]])
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Annual Ridership'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 9.5 million (anticipated)
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''Operating Cost<br />Per Passenger'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | $2.38 (anticipated)
|-
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin; white-space: nowrap" | '''[[Farebox recovery ratio|Farebox Ratio]]'''
| style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | 33% (anticipated)
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; border-style: solid; border-width: thin" | ''FY2003-04 statistics except for Light Rail. Source: [http://www.valleymetro.org/publications/ATPR05/2004%20ATPR%20Chap%202%20.pdf]''
|}
 
The '''Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority''', more popularly known as '''Valley Metro''', is the unified public brand of the regional [[Public transport|transit]] system for the [[Phoenix metropolitan area]]. Within the system, it is divided between [[Valley Metro Bus]], which runs all bus operations, [[Valley Metro Rail]], which is responsible for light rail and streetcar operations in the Valley. In {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}, the combined bus and rail system had a ridership of {{American transit ridership|AZ Phoenix Valley Metro total annual}}, or about {{American transit ridership|AZ Phoenix Valley Metro total daily}} per weekday as of {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}}.
'''Valley Metro''', officially named the '''Regional Public Transportation Authority''' ('''RPTA'''), is the system responsible for [[public transit]] in the area of [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] and [[Maricopa County, Arizona]].
 
Valley Metro is a membership organization. Most services are separately funded and operated by 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. Each city appoints a representative to the RPTA board of directors, and a chairman, vice chairman, and treasurer are voted on amongst the board members for a one-year term.
==About Valley Metro==
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 two largest operators of bus service are the city of Phoenix and the Regional Public Transportation Authority (operating multi-city routes and services primarily in [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]], [[Chandler, Arizona|Chandler]], [[Gilbert, Arizona|Gilbert]], and [[Tempe, Arizona|Tempe]]). Circulator service in [[Glendale, Arizona|Glendale]] is operated by the city of Glendale directly, the Scottsdale Trolley circulators are contracted by the city of Scottsdale, and intra-city paratransit service in the cities of Glendale and [[Peoria, Arizona|Peoria]] are operated by the respective cities directly.
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 thea 2004 voter approval of an extension to the original 1985 sales tax for transit funding (see below)). The Citycity of Phoenix alone operates 73 percent of all Valley Metro routes (several of which also serve suburban cities).<ref>{{cite [web|title=Phoenix Public Transit Department: Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://phoenix.gov/PUBLICTRANSIT/faq3.html]|publisher=City of Phoenix|access-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927054616/http://phoenix.gov/PUBLICTRANSIT/faq3.html|archive-date=September 27, 2011}}</ref>
 
===History===
{{main|Transportation in Phoenix, Arizona}}
 
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 Statestate of [[Arizona]]. At the time, almost all transit service in the Phoenix area was operated by Phoenix Transit System, with a few other bus services such as in Mesa (Mesa Sunrunner) and Scottsdale (Scottsdale Connection) having started around 1990. 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. At this time, Phoenix Transit System and Mesa Sunrunner were rebranded as Valley Metro, and several new routes operating under the RPTA were started.
 
Prior to the formation of the RPTA, the bus route structure of Phoenix Transit System was quite different, both in terms of numbering and routes. Previously, the bus system was based on a "hub-and-spoke" structure with most routes starting from downtown Phoenix. These routes were split in half by [[Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona|Central Avenue]], which most routes used to access downtown Phoenix. For example, the western half of [[Van Buren Street (Arizona)|Van Buren Street]] was served by route 3W, and the eastern half of [[Van Buren Street (Arizona)|Van Buren Street]] was served by route 3E. Most bus routes inherited a seemingly arbitrary, but chronologically assigned, system from their [[Phoenix Street Railway]] heritage (for example, route 0-Central was originally numbered route 5). Express routes were numbered in the 80s and 90s (for example: route 510 serving Scottsdale was originally numbered route 90, which is today assigned to route 90-Dunlap/Cave Creek).
Originally, buses were painted in a green and purple color scheme (and the majority still are), 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. 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 NABI 40-LFW buses that have been rehabilitated with new seat fabric (the same fabric used on the RAPID buses) and repainted in the new scheme.
 
In the mid-1980s, the route structure was changed to form the basis for the system operating today. Most routes were restructured so that they would stay on a single street rather than be based out of the downtown terminal. Routes that operated on multiple streets were also split (for example, route 22-Camelback Crosstown covers parts of today's route 50 and route 72). The route numbering system was simplified so that bus routes were numbered according to the block number of the street that they operated on. For example, route 50-Camelback is numbered because it runs mostly on Camelback Road, which is in the 5000 block. Because of the establishment of route numbers in the 80s and 90s, the express routes were renumbered to the 500-series, where they remain today. The second digit of the 500-series express routes denotes the region of the metropolitan area where the bus is traveling to (for example, the 510 series go to Scottsdale, the 530 series go to Mesa, and the 570 series go to the Northwest Valley). The evolution to a full "supergrid" structure continues today as route branches are either replaced with circulators or separated into new routes.
In the early years of Valley Metro and throughout the 1990s, the Phoenix metropolitan area was the largest metro area in the United States to have transit service operating 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. It was a source of national embarrasment to have a huge regional population in the service area with such a limited level of bus service; 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.
 
===Color schemes===
That began to change in 2001 when Valley Metro expanded to Sunday service in Phoenix, [[Glendale, Arizona|Glendale]] and [[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]], with [[Tempe, Arizona|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, Arizona|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, Arizona|Chandler]].
[[File:Phoenix Tico.svg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|"Tico"]]
Originally, the buses of one of Valley Metro's predecessors, Phoenix Transit System, were painted with orange and pink stripes, and a logo on the sides, rear and front, featuring a character known as "Tico", which was a [[sun]] wearing [[sunglasses]] and a [[sombrero]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.valleymetro.org/blog/2022/02/135-years-of-transit |title=135 years of transit |author=Penaloza, Viviana |date=February 25, 2022 |website=Valley Metro |access-date=5 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.phoenix.gov/publictransitsite/Pages/TICO-Tuesday.aspx |title=TICO Tuesday |publisher=City of Phoenix, Arizona |access-date=5 September 2023 |quote=No one is 100% certain about Tico's origin story, but those lack of facts only adds to his mystique. As the story is told today, sometime in the mid-1970's Tico first appeared on the front and sides of buses and began his life as the city's transit mascot. How he got his name is now a chapter in the oral history of the Public Transit Department, but it's generally held that Tico was selected from a local kids' contest.}}</ref> In the late 1980s, this logo disappeared and buses were simply labeled "City of Phoenix Transit System". In 1993–1994, the RPTA changed the colors to a green and purple color scheme, 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 color scheme was introduced with the delivery of the [[New Flyer Low Floor|C40LFR buses]]. This scheme is similar to the previous 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 delivered to the RPTA from 2006 onwards feature a new interior very similar to that of the [[Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (LACMTA) but with darker tinted windows, no Transit TV (since all Valley Metro divisions except for the City of Phoenix divisions and Valley Metro Rail prohibit advertising), and blue seat fabric (as opposed to the "rainbow" seat fabric used on LACMTA buses). Buses delivered to the city of Phoenix from 2006 to 2008 feature a similar interior to those delivered from 1993 to 2006 but with the same seat fabric used on the RAPID commuter buses.
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.
 
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150" widths="200">
==Bus service==
File:ValleyMetroCentralAve.jpg|The Valley Metro color scheme used from 1993 until 2006
Valley Metro operates bus routes around the Phoenix area through private companies in Phoenix, [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]], [[Tempe, Arizona|Tempe]], [[Glendale, Arizona|Glendale]], and other parts of Maricopa County. These include fixed routes on city streets, suburban Express buses, [[bus rapid transit|RAPID buses]], and circulators in downtown parts of Phoenix, Glendale, and Tempe.
File:Smallbusdriving1 (2587124229).jpg|Purple and green "V" (1993–2006)
File:ValleyMetroLoloma.jpg|Updated livery (2006–2008)
File:Sweet bendy bus (3647973390).jpg|Valley MetroLINK (2008-present)
File:MetroBus6669.jpg|Tempe-owned bus (2010-present)
File:Valley Metro Bus - Downtown Phoenix, Arizona (49441796646).jpg|Phoenix-owned bus (2013-2018)
File:PHX VM Gillig 44thSt SKYT.jpg|Phoenix-owned bus (2019-present)
</gallery>
On December 27, 2008, Valley Metro introduced a new logo, replacing the "V" logo that had been in place since 1993. The green and purple colors were retained, but the green was made lighter and the purple was made darker. The new logo as well as the new shades of green and purple were introduced on the Valley Metro LINK arterial bus rapid transit service, as well as a new interior color scheme.
 
On October 30, 2009, Valley Metro introduced a concept paint scheme on two New Flyer C40LFR's which are serving as demonstration units for the new scheme. The scheme consists of a silver body with a green and purple swoosh going from forward of the front wheel to the rear of the CNG tanks. Riders were provided surveys which were collected and information reviewed. This scheme became official on all RPTA-owned buses (not including the LINK buses) built since 2010. The LINK buses used a variant of this scheme, with a purple front instead of silver. That scheme would go on to be used on RPTA-owned buses between 2016 and 2018.
Many 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; and the Route 50 runs east-west along Camelback Road, which is the '''50'''00 block, north, on the street grid).
 
In 2010, the City of Tempe introduced a variant of the new Valley Metro scheme with a green front instead of silver on one New Flyer L40LFR. This became the official scheme for all Tempe-owned buses starting with the 2011 New Flyer C40LFRs.
Newer plans call for more buses on arterial streets, especially those currently underserved by buses, extension of existing bus routes into fast-growing suburban neighborhoods, and expanded Express/RAPID service onto more freeways.
 
In 2013, the City of Phoenix introduced a new scheme for its fleet. They differ from the RPTA- and Tempe-owned fleet in that the body is mostly painted white and the green and purple swoosh wraps around the front and rear of the bus. This modification in design was likely made to accommodate advertisements below the windows, since the City of Phoenix is the only operator (other than Valley Metro Rail) that allows advertisements on its fleet.
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. Previously, service frequency had been based on city funding, 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.
 
2019 saw an updated version of the LINK scheme for RPTA-owned buses, this time with a darker shade of purple with the swoosh becoming lime-colored. This livery became adopted by the Phoenix-owned fleet from 2020 onwards, but returning to a green-colored swoosh.
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.
 
===Service improvements under RPTA===
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.
 
In the early years of Valley Metro and throughout the 1990s, the Phoenix metropolitan area was the largest in the United States with 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 schedule was a huge hardship for a large portion of the Phoenix labor force (some of whom had to walk or bicycle long distances to and from work when bus service did not operate) and may have deterred some who wanted to relocate to the Phoenix area.
A customer service [[call center]] is operated for passengers to plan their bus trips with the assistance of an operator. The Valley Metro website [http://www.valleymetro.org] 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.
 
That began to change in 2001, when Valley Metro expanded to Sunday service in Phoenix, [[Glendale, Arizona|Glendale]], and [[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]], with [[Tempe, Arizona|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 percent sales tax in the city of Phoenix, with the other cities approving similar measures around the same time).
===Some companies offering Valley Metro bus service===
*'''[[Veolia Transportation]] (Phoenix)''' - Operated under contract to the City of Phoenix, Veolia Phoenix operates 24 local routes (Red, Blue, Green, Green-A, 1, 3, 3A, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 24, 32, 35, 41, 41A, 44, 52, 131) two limited-stop routes (7L and Grand Avenue Limited), nine express routes (510, 512, 560, 570, 571, 581, 582, 590) the four RAPID [[bus rapid transit]] routes, and also operates the DASH bus circulator in downtown Phoenix. 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 and South Phoenix.
*'''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 five express routes (Routes 531-534 and 540-541). Also operates rural route 685 to Gila Bend. Communties served include [[Chandler, Arizona|Chandler]], Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and [[Gilbert, Arizona|Gilbert]]. These routes are based out of a main garage in Mesa.
*'''[[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, this system operates 11 local routes (as well as the Red Line route on weekends, which also serves a large portion of Phoenix) and the Free Local Area Shuttle (FLASH). 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. 1998 model buses are having their Luminator LeDot destination signs replaced with Luminator Horizon signs (instead of Twin Vision orange signs)
*'''City of Glendale''' - The City of Glendale operates a local route (Route 70) and three shuttle routes (GUS I, II, and III).
*'''[[Laidlaw]] Transit Services''' - Operated under contract to the cities of Phoenix and Glendale. This company operates 11 Valley Metro local routes (mainly in North Phoenix, West Phoenix and the city of Glendale). These routes are based out of a main garage in Glendale, but all of the vehicles are owned by the City of Phoenix.
*'''[[Total Transit, Inc.]]'''- This company started contract operations in July 2006 and currently operates Route 660-Wickenburg Regional Connector.
 
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, i.e. basically a different brand.
===Bus fleet===
 
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.
Since 1998, the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and the RPTA have purchased coaches from [[North American Bus Industries]] (though since 2004 Valley Metro has returned to [[New Flyer]]).
 
The rest of the service area still had no Sunday service as of the fall of 2008, with the exception of the portion of route 72 (see below) that runs into [[Chandler, Arizona|Chandler]], the section of route 156 that runs across Chandler, and routes 61 and 96, which established regular Sunday service in selected portions of the city of [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]] in July 2008. As of 2018, Sunday service is provided in the East Valley on all local routes except the 104-Alma School Road, 120-Mesa Drive, 128-Stapley Drive, 136-Gilbert Road, and 140-Ray Road. As of 2018, Routes 45-Broadway and 77-Baseline do not serve Mesa on Sundays, and Route 96-Dobson does not serve Chandler on Sundays.
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 and 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). There are older RTS coaches manufactured by [[Transportation Manufacturing Corporation]] and D40LFs manufactured by [[New Flyer]] that are still in use (especially on the Laidlaw-operated routes) and date from the late 1980s and early 1990s; these are slowly being phased out.
 
===1989 ValTrans proposal===
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.
In 1989, a referendum took place in the RPTA constituent cities on expanded bus services (the fleet size would nearly have been tripled) and the implementation of [[elevated rail]] as part of a plan called "ValTrans".<ref>{{cite web|title=A Brief History Of Transportation Elections|url=http://www.azrail.org/trains/transit/transit-elections/|publisher=Arizona Rail Passenger Association|access-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717060054/http://www.azrail.org/trains/transit/transit-elections/|archive-date=July 17, 2012|date=2000}}</ref>
 
The locations of three of Valley Metro's most heavily traveled bus routes (before the December 2008 start of light rail service) would have been the elevated rail lines' paths, and referred to by these color designations:
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 (and only, so far) 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. Finally, in January 2006, the RPTA purchased 20 Nova Bus RTS suburban buses from [[Golden Gate Transit]] that are used on Mesa and Chandler express routes.
* '''{{Color box|red|border=darkgray}} Red Line''', traveling from east [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]] to [[Metrocenter Mall (Phoenix, Arizona)|Metrocenter Mall]] in northwest central Phoenix, including stops at [[Arizona State University]]'s main campus in [[Tempe, Arizona|Tempe]], [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]], and the downtown Phoenix business, sports, and entertainment corridor (the resulting bus line was the second most heavily used in the Valley Metro system).<ref>{{cite web|title=City of Phoenix Public Transit Department: Quick Facts|url=http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PUBLICTRANSIT/qckfacts.html|publisher=City of Phoenix|access-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928201016/http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PUBLICTRANSIT/qckfacts.html|archive-date=September 28, 2007}}</ref>
* '''{{Color box|blue|border=darkgray}} 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 Hotel|Arizona Biltmore]] resort), Lincoln Drive, a brief express portion on the [[Arizona State Route 51|State Route 51]] freeway, 32nd Street, Shea Boulevard, Tatum Road, and eventually serving [[Paradise Valley Mall]] and [[Mayo Clinic|Mayo Clinic Phoenix]].
* '''{{Color box|green|border=darkgray}} 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, Arizona|Scottsdale]] (the resulting bus line is now the most heavily used in the Valley Metro system). The color lines are no longer in service and were renamed as routes. The Green Line was renamed to Route 29 – Thomas Rd.
* '''{{Color box|#BBBB00|border=darkgray}} Yellow Line''', traveling from 83rd Avenue/Peoria, down Grand Avenue, a major arterial street which runs diagonally from the northwest into downtown Phoenix and is a major section of [[U.S. Route 60 in Arizona|US 60]]) 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/US 60 led by the [[Arizona Department of Transportation]]; the project made Grand Avenue more expressway-like by eliminating 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.
* Other routes, such as a commuter line to [[Chandler, Arizona|Chandler]] and an inter-city route serving [[Tucson]].
 
Funding for would have come from a sales tax plan with a set expiration and reapproval date by 2019, a 30-year authorization period. The ValTrans proposal was soundly defeated at the polls. Concerns about noise, cost, and overall effectiveness were prominent, as well as voter frustration over the lack of progress on existing road and freeway construction.
Currently, Phoenix has ordered 69 [[New Flyer]] D40LFR buses and 28 New Flyer D60LFR buses (they will be the launch customer for the D60LFR) with options for 23 more D60LFRs. These buses will be used to replace all remaining [[RTS]] buses (except for the [[Nova Bus]] vehicles) and may ironically replace older D40LF buses. These buses will be delivered in 2007. The average age of the fleet is about 6 years, though this will greatly lower in March 2007 after the D40LFR/D60LFR order arrives and the TMC RTS buses are retired (which are 17-19 years old).
 
Similar referendums were later 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 the past, Valley Metro demonstrated a Neoplan AN440LF and operated MAN articulated buses, GMC RTS, AmGeneral 9640A, Flxible "New Look" buses, Flxible Metro-As, Orion 01.501 (Orion I), Orion II (DASH Shuttle), ElDorado National MSTs and Gillig Phantoms (35-foot and leased 40-foot buses).
 
With the start of light rail service in December 2008, these color-coded designations were retired. The Red Line was eliminated altogether as most of the route is now covered by the light rail line (with several portions, including Metrocenter Mall, now also covered by Route 15 – 15th Avenue); the Blue Line was renamed to Route 39 – 40th Street and now terminates at the intersection of Camelback Road and Central Avenue; the Green Line was renamed Route 29 – Thomas (its original pre-ValTrans name); its routing remains unchanged.
==Rideshare==
There are also [http://www.valleymetro.org/Rideshare/default.asp vanpool and carpool services] coordinated by Valley Metro, often through employer group programs. [http://www.capitolrideshare.com 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.
 
==Light=Transit 2000 light rail proposal===
In 2000, the Transit 2000 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which involved a 0.4 percent sales tax, was approved by voters in Phoenix. It sought to improve the local bus service and create bus rapid transit and light rail, among other things. Valley Metro Rail has a goal of a one-third [[farebox recovery ratio|farebox ratio]],<ref>http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0227fares0227box.html{{dead link|date=May 2015}}</ref> and the RTP anticipates this to rise to 45% by 2025. The plan implemented studies for [[#Future extensions and improvements|further rail service]], though for some time in the future. It also used the route placing and color designations from the 1989 plan.
{{future public transportation}}
{{splitsection|Valley Metro Rail (Phoenix)}}
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 [http://www.azrail.org/transit/election_history.htm "Val-Trans"]) in a referendum.
 
=== Proposition 104 ===
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:
In August 2015, Phoenix voters passed Proposition 104, increasing the sales tax allocated to transit from 0.4 to 0.7%. It is expected to partially pay for a $31 billion transit plan over 35 years. Under the plan, about half of the new revenue will go to bus service, a third to light rail, 7% to street improvements, and 10% to debt service.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goth|first1=Brenna|title=Phoenix voters pass Prop. 104 transit tax|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2015/08/25/phoenix-elections-transit-results-prop104/32283455/|access-date=August 26, 2015|work=The Arizona Republic|date=August 26, 2015}}</ref> {{convert|42|mi}} of light rail are planned to be built.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McClay|first1=Bob|title=Proposition 104 on Phoenix election ballot is hot topic for city leaders|url=http://ktar.com/story/590723/proposition-104-on-phoenix-election-ballot-is-hot-topic-for-city-leaders/|access-date=August 26, 2015|work=KTAR News|date=August 24, 2015}}</ref>
 
==Services offered==
* '''Red Line''', traveling from east [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]] to [[Metrocenter Mall]] in northwest central Phoenix, including stops at [[Arizona State University]]'s main campus in [[Tempe, Arizona|Tempe]], [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]], and the downtown Phoenix business, sports and entertainment corridor (the resulting bus line is now the second most heavily used in the Valley Metro system)[http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PUBLICTRANSIT/qckfacts.html].
[[Image:ValleyMetroLoloma.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A bus waiting in [[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]], wearing the Valley Metro color scheme used from 2006 to 2008]]
{{maplink|from=Valley Metro Rail & Streetcar.map|from2=PHX Sky Train.map|text=Interactive map of all Valley Metro Rail offerings}}
 
===Bus service===
* '''Blue Line''', traveling from South Phoenix, through downtown and the Central Avenue corridor, along Camelback Road and the upscale Biltmore area, north on 24th Street (passing the historic [[Arizona Biltmore]] resort), west on Lincoln Drive, north on State Route 51, and northeast to [[Paradise Valley Mall]] and [[Mayo Clinic Phoenix]].
{{main|Valley Metro Bus}}
Valley Metro operates bus routes around the Phoenix area through private companies in Phoenix, [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]], [[Tempe, Arizona|Tempe]], [[Glendale, Arizona|Glendale]], and other parts of Maricopa County. These include fixed routes on city streets, suburban Express buses, [[Transit bus|RAPID buses]], and circulators in parts of Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Avondale, and Scottsdale.
 
===Light rail===
* '''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, Arizona|Scottsdale]] (the resulting bus line is now the most heavily used in the Valley Metro system).
<!-- This section is linked from [[Phoenix, Arizona]] -->
{{main|Valley Metro Rail}}
Valley Metro Rail operates two lines, the [[A Line (Valley Metro Rail)|A Line]] and [[B Line (Valley Metro Rail)|B Line]], totaling {{convert|38.5|miles|km}} of track between the cities of Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. The system was most recently expanded in June 2025, with two additional extensions in the design or pre-construction phases, with expected opening dates ranging from 2028 to 2030. Future extensions include service to the [[Arizona State Capitol]] and [[Desert Sky Mall]], all in Phoenix.
 
===Streetcar===
* 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.
{{main|Valley Metro Streetcar}}
 
The Valley Metro Streetcar, referred to as the S Line Streetcar on regional transit maps, is a [[Tram|streetcar]] extension of the Valley Metro Rail system. It serves 14 stops across three miles of track serving various parts of the city's downtown, as well as the [[Arizona State University Tempe campus|Tempe campus of Arizona State University]], with the Valley Metro Rail [[A Line (Valley Metro Rail)|A Line.]]
Funding 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.
 
===Paratransit===
Similar referenda 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 recovery ratio|farebox ratio]] according to [http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0227fares0227box.html], and the RTP anticipates this to rise to 45% by 2025. The plan implemented studies for [[#Future extensions and improvements|further rail service]], though for some time in the future. It also used the route placing and color designations from the 1989 plan.
Valley Metro offers [[paratransit]] for elderly and disabled residents via its Paratransit service. Paratransit providers include:
[[Image:ValleyMetroRailMap.jpg|left|thumb|300px|METRO light rail system map]]
* Valley Metro Paratransit (Contracted by the RPTA and operated by [[MTM Transit]])
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 [[United States dollar|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 Main Street line of the [[METRORail]] system in [[Houston]] and the surface sections of the [[Green Line (MBTA)|Green Line]] in [[Boston]].
* Phoenix Dial-A-Ride (Contracted by the City of Phoenix and operated by [[MV Transportation]])
* Glendale Dial-A-Ride (Operated by the City of Glendale)
* Peoria Dial-A-Ride (Operated by the City of Peoria)
 
Valley Metro Paratransit operates all trips outside the cities of Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Glendale, and Peoria, as well as regional trips (defined as trips that begin or end outside the boundaries of Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Glendale, or Peoria, with the other end of the trip within the boundaries of those cities/towns). Phoenix Dial-A-Ride operates trips within the Phoenix city limits and the town of Paradise Valley. Glendale Dial-A-Ride and Peoria Dial-A-Ride operate trips within the boundaries of their respective cities. Service area boundaries vary by city, with some cities (specifically Avondale, El Mirage, Goodyear, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Tolleson, as well as unincorporated areas of Maricopa County) only offering service within {{convert|.75|mi}} of a fixed bus route while other cities offer service in a larger area (Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, and Surprise offering city/town-wide service, and Phoenix offering city-wide service south of Jomax Road). To handle overflow demand, some trips on Valley Metro Paratransit and Phoenix Dial-A-Ride are outsourced to local taxi companies or to non-emergency medical transportation providers.
[[Image:ValleyMetroRail200511.jpg|right|thumb|Prototype on display, November 2005]]
 
===Rideshare===
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).
Other commuting options are coordinated by Valley Metro's Rideshare department, funded by contracts with Maricopa County and the [[Maricopa Association of Governments]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Commute Solutions|url=http://www.valleymetro.org/commute_solutions|publisher=Valley Metro|access-date=30 May 2015}}</ref> The primary outreach effort of the Rideshare team is the Maricopa County Trip Reduction Program, which seeks to reduce traffic impacts on air pollution and emissions throughout the Valley. Any employer with 50 or more full-time employees is required to participate in the program, which seeks to convince employees to use transit alternatives. The 25,000 employees of State of Arizona government agencies who work and live in the Valley have their own Rideshare department, called Capitol Rideshare.<ref>{{cite web|title=Capitol Rideshare|url=http://www.capitolrideshare.com|access-date=30 May 2015}}</ref>
 
==Fares==
===Future extensions and improvements===
{{see also|Copper Card}}
[[Phoenix metropolitan area|Greater Phoenix]] covers many suburban areas previously not viewed as appropriate for rail. This has changed as the cities grow and increase in density.
 
The table at the bottom shows the current rate structure for the Valley Metro system, as of August 4, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fares {{!}} Valley Metro |url=https://www.valleymetro.org/fares |access-date=August 7, 2025|website=Valley Metro}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://valleymetro.org/news/2024/08/tips-for-validating-your-fare-on-our-purple-fare-readers|title=Tips for using purple fare readers|website=Valley Metro|date=August 19, 2024|access-date=August 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.valleymetro.org/fares/pricing|title=Pricing|date=August 4, 2025|access-date=August 7, 2025|website=Valley Metro}}</ref>
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 Arizona State University to southern Tempe,
* eastward from the Mesa terminus, and
* in [[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]], running along Scottsdale Road past the new ASU "Skysong" Center, a high-tech research area, at the intersection with McDowell Road. This project faced some local opposition, but civic groups and residents have gradually given it more support.
 
The Copper Card was officially launched on August 19, 2024 which replaced paper passes.
The plan also identifies several "eligible high capacity corridors" ([http://www.mag.maricopa.gov/detail.cms?item=5836 Figure 8-4]) for added service within a few decades, commiting to future study of light rail as an option for these routes. They are:
* northern Tatum Blvd. past Paradise Valley Mall,
* westward to [[Avondale, Arizona|Avondale]], [[Tolleson, Arizona|Tolleson]], [[Goodyear, Arizona|Goodyear]], and [[Buckeye, Arizona|Buckeye]],
* north on [[I-17]] to the [[Anthem, Arizona|Anthem]] community,
* to the northwest along Grand Avenue in Phoenix to the West Valley cities of Glendale, [[Youngtown, Arizona|Youngtown]], [[El Mirage, Arizona|El Mirage]], and [[Surprise, Arizona|Surprise]],
* a new, far southeastern route for [[Gilbert, Arizona|Gilbert]], [[Chandler, Arizona|Chandler]], [[Ahwatukee]], and southern Phoenix proper, and
* further north on Scottsdale Road as mentioned above.
 
[[Valley Metro Rail]] and the [[Valley Metro Streetcar]] share its fare system with the [[Valley Metro Bus]] system but uses a [[proof-of-payment]] system to allow for simplified boarding and platform access. Passes or a reloadable [[Copper Card]] can be purchased from ticket vending machines at the entrance to all stations, or purchased in the Valley Metro App, but must be validated or scanned before boarding the train.<ref>{{cite web|title=Proof of Payment – Valley Metro|url=http://www.valleymetro.org/paying_your_fare/proof_payment|access-date=February 22, 2016|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306230542/http://www.valleymetro.org/paying_your_fare/proof_payment|url-status=dead}}</ref> Passes and a [[Copper Card]] also be purchased on board buses, or in select retailers.
Increasing city development may spur more frequent service, further suburban extensions, and one day, regional rail services to other Arizona cities. [[elevated rail|Elevated]] or [[Rapid transit|subway]] lines may also be installed. Voters have, however, opposed similar plans in the past.
 
{| class="wikitable" width="35%" align="bottom"
|+Valley Metro fares
|-
!Fare type
!Local bus and light rail
!Streetcar
!Express / RAPID<sup>1</sup>
!Reduced fare<sup>2</sup>
|-
|Single ride
|$2
|$1
|$3.25
|$1 ($.50 for Streetcar)
|-
|Daily cap
|$4
|$4
|$6.50
|$2
|-
|Weekly cap
|$20
|$20
| -
|$10
|-
|Monthly cap
|$64
|$64
|$104
|$32
|-
| colspan="5" |'''Notes'''
# A local/light rail fare can be used on an Express or RAPID route for a $1.25 upcharge, or a $2.25 charge for reduced-fare customers.
# Reduced fares are available for individuals with disabilities, seniors aged 65 and older, children ages 6 to 18, and [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] beneficiaries.
|}
 
==See also==
* [[ListLists of rapidurban rail transit systems]]
* [[Roads and freeways in metropolitan Phoenix]]
* [[Valley Metro Rail]]
* [[Tempe Streetcar|Valley Metro Streetcar]]
* [[Transportation in Phoenix, Arizona]]
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
*[http://www.newflyer.com/index/news-app/story.39 New Flyer article on Phoenix buses]
 
===Further reading===
* {{Cite web| last = Harnack| first = Leah| title = A Total Transit Network in the Valley| work = Mass Transit| access-date = 2015-05-31| date = 2013-06-11| url = http://www.masstransitmag.com/article/10951203/a-total-transit-network-in-the-valley}}
* {{cite web|title=New Flyer Receives Orders for 465 Buses Totaling US $181.8 Million|url=http://www.newflyer.com/index/news-app/story.39|publisher=New Flyer|access-date=30 May 2015|date=July 20, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530074645/http://www.newflyer.com/index/news-app/story.39|archive-date=2015-05-30|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite news|last1=Semmens|first1=John|title=Buses, Trains, and Automobiles: Finding the Right Transportation Mix for the Phoenix Metro Region|url=https://www.heartland.org/sites/all/modules/custom/heartland_migration/files/pdfs/19157.pdf|access-date=30 May 2015|work=Policy Report|issue=188|publisher=Goldwater Institute|date=January 8, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530082522/https://www.heartland.org/sites/all/modules/custom/heartland_migration/files/pdfs/19157.pdf|archive-date=2015-05-30|url-status=dead}}
 
==External links==
* [http://www.valleymetro.org Valley Metro official site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150526041551/http://www.valleymetro.org/railmetrolightrail/ Valley Metro Rail]
* [httphttps://www.ci.phoenix.az.usgov/PUBLICTRANSIT/rapid.htmlpublictransit City of Phoenix Bus Rapid Transitpublic webtransit sitedepartment]
* [http://www.letskeepmoving.com/ Maricopa County Regional Transportation Plan official site] containing the current Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and updated drafts
* [http://www.aptaazrail.com/org Arizona PublicRail TransportationPassenger Association (APTA)] "APTAA andvolunteer itsgroup membersof andconcerned staffcitizens workworking tofor ensurebetter thatrail publicpassenger transportation is available and accessible for all Americansservice in communitiesthe across theDesert countrySouthwest."
* [http://www.azrailazta.org/ Arizona Rail PassengerTransit Association (AzTA)] "A volunteernon-profit groupstatewide oforganization concerneddedicated citizensto workingimproving forpublic better rail passenger servicetransportation in theall DesertArizona Southwestcommunities."
* [http://www.friendsoftransit.org/ Friends of Transit] "The mission of Friends of Transit is the instruction of the public on the benefits and importance to the Greater Phoenix community of a well-designed and accessible mass transit system which represents a major component of a balanced regional transportation plan."
*[http://www.azta.org/ Arizona Transit Association (AzTA)] "A non-profit statewide organization dedicated to improving public transportation in all Arizona communities."
 
*[http://www.friendsoftransit.org/ Friends of Transit] "The mission of Friends of Transit is the instruction of the public on the benefits and importance to the Greater Phoenix community of a well-designed and accessible mass transit system which represents a major component of a balanced regional transportation plan."
{{Valley Metro}}
*[http://www.valleymetro.org/rail/constructionsections/Construction%20Progress%20Photos.htm] "Construction Photos of the project."
{{Metro Phoenix Transit}}
*[http://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/article.php?/399.html Goldwater Institute] "Buses, Trains and Automobiles: Finding the Right Transportation Mix for the Phoenix Metro Region"
*[http://mm.optrata.com/ Valley Metro SMS Service] A SMS (text messaging) Service for the Valley Metro Bus Schedule
 
[[Category:TransportationValley inMetro| Arizona]]
[[Category:TransportationIntermodal transportation authorities in PhoenixArizona]]
[[Category:IntermodalBus transportationrapid authoritiestransit in Arizona]]
[[Category:Light rail in Arizona]]
[[Category:BusTransportation transitin Phoenix, Arizona]]
[[Category:BusTransportation rapidin transitMaricopa County, Arizona]]