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Celebrating a Decade of Sun Link Streetcar

Presented by

Thank you for celebrating with us!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for the Sun Link 10th Anniversary celebration! We look forward to more years of shared journeys and community connection. Enjoy some photos from the event below.

On July 20th, we marked this significant milestone for the City of Tucson with a day filled with festivities across the historic districts.

Press Conference
8:00 AM at Sun Link
Start the day with a press conference featuring Mayor Romero and special guest speakers.

Sun Link Celebration
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Sun Link Streetcar
Join us at the streetcar located at 8th Street and 4th Avenue featuring music, games, giveaways, and more! Participate in the community fair with the City of Tucson, Pima County and Ready Set Rec. Live broadcasts by Beef Vegan from 102.1 KFMA and Gaby Pardini from 92.1 La Caliente.

Main Gate Festivities
10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Sidewalk in front of Gentle Ben’s and Kababeque
Head to the sidewalk in front of Gentle Ben’s and Kababeque for games, prizes, and discounts. Streetcar riders can disembark at University & Tyndall Ave for the festivities.

University of Arizona Campus Story Time featuring Moana
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: University of Arizona Student Unions (KIVA Room)
Enjoy a ride to the University of Arizona Student Unions for a special story time with Moana. Riders can alight at the 2nd & Highland stop and follow the signs to the KIVA room.

Desert Haze Vintage Market
7:00 PM (Doors open) – Show starts at 8:00 PM
Location: Hotel Congress Plaza
Experience the Summer Night Edition of the Desert Haze Vintage Market with live performances by The Charities & The McCharmlys. Tickets are $5 for all ages.

Flow for the Soul Train: Streetcar Jubilee
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Mercado Annex
Dance the night away at The Mercado District’s electrifying celebration featuring top DJs, local vendors, live music, and delectable bites from food trucks. Sun Link riders receive an exclusive 10% discount at select Mercado District vendors. Tickets are $10, supporting the All Souls Procession.

Sun Link Interviews, 2024

New operator to take over Sun Shuttle transit services in Ajo area

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and Sun Tran want to notify the Ajo community of a change in operators for Sun Shuttle transit services in Ajo and western Pima County.

National Express Transit will take over the operation of Route 486, and all other bus routes serving Ajo and surrounding areas beginning today, January 22, 2024. National Express also operates all other Sun Shuttle and dial-a-ride services for the RTA. The change consolidates Sun Shuttle under one operator and provides simplified transit service delivery for the public. The change will not affect any service schedules for Route 486.

National Express will also operate the dial-a-ride service for the Ajo area. Dial-a-ride customers in the Ajo area can either call (520) 441-6545, or 1 (800) 242-9483 to schedule service.

The new operator also provides service from Ajo to Phoenix on behalf of Valley Metro.

Customers can access schedules and other Sun Shuttle information HERE, or by downloading TripShot from the app store on your smartphone. To learn more about the TripShot app click HERE.

Above and Beyond, Coach Operator Starts the New Year with Kindness

In the early morning of January 3 around 5 a.m. Sun Tran coach operator, Shannon Lingle was driving her first round of the day. As she was driving down Park Avenue headed towards Downtown Lingle noticed a cardboard box on fire next to a resident’s home. Without hesitation, Lingle quickly pulled the bus over, dialed 911, and explained the situation.

According to Lingle, she could not just leave the fire burning there, so she took matters into her own hands, along with two other passengers who volunteered to help.

“It was just a small one, but it could’ve ignited,” she said. “I’m not one of those people who will just let something just burn.”

While one of the passengers threw the burning cardboard on the street, Lingle and the other passenger threw dirt on the cardboard and stomped on it to put the fire out.

Just like that, the fire was out, Lingle hopped back on the bus, apologized for the delay and continued her route.

As someone who has been in the medical field for most of her life, taking care of people is just what she does, said Lingle.

“I would hope someone would do it if it was something close to my house that was burning,” she said.

Thank you Shannon for taking care of the Tucson community and we are glad you are part of the Sun Tran team!

Sun Link’s Annual Stuff Santa’s Boot

Come on by to Sun Link’s Avenida del Convento/Congress Street stop to stuff Santa’s boot this Saturday, December 16 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. All monetary donations are benefitting TMM Family Services. Monetary donations can be made at the event or you can scan the QR Code to donate directly to TMM Family Services. Stop by and say hello to Santa too!

TMM Family Services serves the most vulnerable populations in Southern Arizona including families at risk, children in foster care, veterans, seniors, and low-income individuals that are homeless or are at risk of becoming so. Each year, they helps over 3,350 individuals stabilize and become more self-sufficient.

Sun Tran’s 2023 Stuff-the-Bus

This holiday season Sun Tran is partnering up with the Salvation Army Tucson and iHeartMedia’s 92.9 The Bull, Mega 97.1, 93.7 KRQ, HOT 98.3, 790 AM KNST and Tejano 1600 to host the annual Stuff-the-Bus on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. All six radio stations will broadcast live all day from the event at Walmart, 7150 E. Speedway Boulevard. Children will also have a chance to say hello to Santa from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The annual Stuff-the-Bus toy drive was created to help Tucson families have a happy holiday season. The Tucson community is encouraged to donate new unwrapped toys for children ages 2-17, or monetary donations can be made at www.salvationarmytucson.org/stuff-the-bus.  

“Sun Tran implemented the Stuff-the-Bus toy drive in order to help Tucson families,” said Steve Spade, General Manager of Sun Tran. “We’ve collected more than 130,000 toys since 2001 and this year we hope to help even more families.”

Since 2001, Sun Tran has collected 130,652 toys and $13,389 for families in the Tucson community. 

By participating in Stuff-the-Bus, you’ll be bringing the joy of the holidays to a child. Donations can be made at Walmart, 7150 E. Speedway Boulevard or online at www.salvationarmytucson.org/stuff-the-bus.

For more information on the Stuff-the-Bus toy drive, please call Customer Service at (520) 792-9222 or visit www.suntran.com.  

New Transit Schedules and Routes for Sun Shuttle

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and Sun Tran have made time and route adjustments to some Sun Shuttle neighborhood transit system routes in the greater Tucson area.

Shuttle, which is funded by the RTA as part of the 2006 voter-approved, 20-year regional transportation plan, provides neighborhood transit services to outlying communities and neighborhoods that allow riders to connect with mass transit services offered by Sun Tran, Sun Express and the Sun Link streetcar.

Sun Shuttle fixed-route services operate in Marana, Casa Adobes, Oro Valley/Catalina, Green Valley/Sahuarita, Tucson Estates, Drexel Heights, the San Xavier District, Rita Ranch and Ajo.

The service changes were made based on the ridership analysis conducted by the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and Sun Tran. PAG, the region’s metropolitan planning organization, manages the RTA. Public input on Sun Shuttle services gathered through surveys and at a series of open houses also contributed to the analysis.

Service changes will go into effect on Monday. Nov. 27. The changed routes include:

  • Route 401 – Retimed schedule, Rooney Ranch stop moved to Oracle Road/First Avenue; northbound stop at Oracle Road/La Reserve Drive added to route; southbound stop at Oracle Road/Hanley Boulevard added to route.
  • Route 412 – Additional stops added at the intersection of Thornydale Road and Hardy Road and near the intersection of Thornydale Road and Costco Drive.
  • Route 413 – Retimed schedule, Interstate 10 segment has been rerouted between Downtown Marana and Tucson Premium Outlets; Rillito stop removed.
  • Route 414P – Picture Rocks pilot study concluded for this temporary route.
  • Route 430 – Retimed schedule, Western Way Circle stop moved to intersection of Kinney Road and Western Way.
  • Marana Avra Valley Dial-a-Ride – Rillito community now served by this service.

For complete details and Sun Shuttle route schedules, visit https://www.suntran.com/routes-services/sun-shuttle-routes/

The RTA funds additional evening, weekend and express bus services. RTA funds also go toward special needs transit for the elderly and people with disabilities, and park-and-ride transit centers.

The Regional Transportation Authority is the fiscal manager of a $2.1 billion, 20-year regional transportation plan and half-cent sales tax approved by Pima County voters on May 16, 2006. The RTA Board is comprised of representatives from the local jurisdictions in Pima County, including the cities of Tucson and South Tucson, Pima County, the towns of Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Tohono O’odham Nation. A representative of the Arizona State Transportation Board also serves on the board. For more information about the RTA plan, visit RTAmobility.com or call (520) 792-1093.

34th Annual All Soul’s Procession on Sunday, November 5, 2023. 

The annual All Souls Procession Weekend returns for its 34th year tomorrow, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 5. Organized by Many Mouths One Stomach, the weekend of public events is meant to deepen connections with the community and lost loved ones. The main procession and ceremony will begin Sunday at 6 p.m. (gather starting at 4 p.m.) on Grande Avenue, south of Speedway Boulevard, turning east on Congress Street, then south onto Avenida del Convento toward the finale site. Those participating in the procession can access parking garages in the downtown area and ride the free Sun Link streetcar. The streetcar will be in service until 10:30 p.m. Those traveling through the area can expect delays and should watch for increased pedestrian presence. There are also several road closures, Sun Tran detours and extensions as well as Sun Link streetcar service. 

Event website: https://allsoulsprocession.org/

Route Detours and service information for buses and the streetcar to/from the event

Sun Tran

Route 3 will be on detour from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Stops from St. Mary’s/ I-10 to St. Mary’s/ Silverbell Rd. will be closed. Passengers can board at stops along Silverbell Road and Speedway Blvd. Bus will service all stops on detour. 

Route 21 will be on detour from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Stops on Congress/I-10 to Congress/Grande Ave., Westmoreland Ave., Fresno St. will not be serviced. Riders can board at Ronstadt Transit Center, Alameda St., Broadway Blvd., Silverbell Rd., Saint Mary’s Hospital, Speedway Blvd. Bus will service all stops on detour.

Route 22 will have an extension from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pick up will be from 6th Ave. by Ronstadt Transit Center and drop off will be Speedway

Sun Link 
Streetcar service will be available until 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Picture Rocks Sun Shuttle Pilot Program Ends November 2023

Sun Shuttle, a neighborhood pilot transit service for outlying areas of greater Tucson, will end on Nov. 25 in the Picture Rocks area.

The pilot program, Route 414P Picture Rocks, began in October 2022. The timeframe established to operate and analyze the pilot program was one year.

The Regional Transportation Authority, which is funding the pilot program, determined that transit demand was lower than expected based on ridership numbers. A ridership target of 300 riders per month was set for the pilot program, or an average of 75 riders per week. To date, however, the service has averaged 22 riders per week.

Despite marketing efforts, including a direct mailing campaign, ridership for the services has not increased over the pilot service period.

With ridership at low levels, the costs to operate the route would far exceed that of other Sun Shuttle routes. Similar rural routes average about $31 per person to operate, while 414P averaged about $142 per person.

The Sun Shuttle pilot route through Picture Rocks was initiated by the RTA to determine if there is any transit demand to reach destinations such as a park-and-ride, grocery stores, retail shopping, or connections to additional transit routes via Sun Tran, the region’s mass transit service.

The Regional Transportation Authority operates Sun Shuttle services in other outlying areas, including in Marana, Oro Valley, Green Valley/Sahuarita, funded through the RTA’s voter-approved, 20-year regional transportation plan and sales tax, which are effective through June 2026.

The Regional Transportation Authority is the fiscal manager of a $2.1 billion, 20-year regional transportation plan and half-cent sales tax approved by Pima County voters on May 16, 2006. The RTA Board is comprised of representatives from the local jurisdictions in Pima County, including the cities of Tucson and South Tucson, Pima County, the towns of Marana, Oro Valley and Sahuarita, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the Tohono O’odham Nation. A representative of the Arizona State Transportation Board also serves on the board. For more information about the RTA plan, visit RTAmobility.com or call (520) 792-1093.

Fall Transit Schedules For Sun Tran, Sun Express, Sun Link And Sun Shuttle

Sun Tran is rolling into fall with new route schedule updates. Beginning Monday August 14, Sun Link will be extending hours until 2 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The following Sun Tran, Sun Express and Sun Shuttle routes will have adjustments effective Monday August 20.
Sun Tran/Sun Express routes:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 34, 50, 61, 101X, 103X, 104X, 105X, 108X, 109X, 110X, 201X, 203X, 204X

· Route 25 will remain on Park Avenue and will not deviate to Innovation Tech High School/ JTED Innovative Learning Center

Sun Shuttle routes:

401, 412, 413, 421, 430, 440, 486

Rt. 401 – time-point stops have changed and schedule changes

Rt. 412 – New service route

o Route shift from River to Orange Grove between La Cañada and Shannon and schedule changes

Rt. 413 – New service route, time-point stops have changed and schedule changes

o Route shift from I-10 to Bald Eagle, Camino de Oeste and Oldfather

o Discontinued stop at Arizona Pavilion

o Extended route to Shannon, now serving Pima Community College Northwest, Nanini Library, Northwest YMCA, Tucson North MVD

Rt. 421 – Added additional stops

o VA – 6th and Veterans

o South Tucson Municipal Center – 6th Ave & 26th St.

o Flag Zone– La Cañada from Duval Mine to Trader· Rt. 440 – time-point stops have changed and schedule changes

Rt. 430-Neighborhood labels

Rt. 440-Timepoint and schedule changes

Rt. 486 – Route information is now in Sun Shuttle booklet and several stops have been renamed

o Quijotoa -> Maish Vaya (Trading Post)

o Robles Junction (Three Points) -> Three Points (Robles Junction)

o Tucson -> Tucson (Laos Transit Center)

Sun Express schedules are now located in the Sun Tran Rider Guide! 

There are three ways to check your schedule: 

1. Visit Suntran.com/how-to-ride/ride-guides-booklets/ 

2. Contact Customer Service to trip plan or to request an emailed or mailed copy of the schedules for your route(s)  

3. Pick up a Rider Guide at a Transit Center or onboard your bus 

Customer Service representatives are available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff can be reached by phone at (520)792-9222 (TDD: (520)628-1565) or by sending an email to SunTranInfo@tucsonaz.gov. 

Customer Service representatives are available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff can be reached by phone at (520)792-9222 (TDD: (520)628-1565) or by sending an email to SunTranInfo@tucsonaz.gov.