April 3, 2020
Effective Monday, April 13, Limited Seating on All Bus Routes
Seating on all bus routes is limited in order to support social distancing measures between passengers. These measures were approved by the Phoenix City Council on April 6 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and for the safety of all community members.
Passenger limits will be as follows, with exceptions for wheelchair and mobility aid users as needed:
- Maximum of five (5) passengers on smaller neighborhood circulator vehicles (ALEX, MARY, SMART routes)
- Maximum of ten (10) passengers on a regular 40-foot bus
- Maximum of fifteen (15) passengers on a 60-foot articulated (bendy type) bus
Should vehicle capacity be reached, bus operators may not allow additional boardings until additional capacity becomes available. In such cases, passengers may need to wait for the next bus.
The city of Phoenix and Valley Metro, who also operates bus services in the metro area, are coordinating a regional effort to further educate riders on social distancing while on board public transportation. The signage that will be added to buses will be consistent for passengers across this region.
Passengers are encouraged to plan additional travel time, as these measures may impact their trip.
Passengers are also reminded to use public transit only for necessary trips. We ask everyone to continue to practice social distancing while riding, including:
- boarding using the rear doors,
- visually showing fare to the driver,
- staying at least six feet apart while waiting at bus stops and
- in accordance with CDC guidance, wearing a cloth mask covering their nose and mouth.
Recognizing there is currently a lower demand, public transit is nonetheless a critical service for many essential service workers in our communities. We are working to ensure that those who depend on transit are able to continue using our system and get to their destinations safely.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during these times.
Light Rail Schedule Adjustments Effective April 11, 2020 Until Further Notice
Beginning Saturday, April 11, light rail will be on the same schedule Monday-Saturday, 15-minute frequency 4 a.m-6 p.m. with no late night service on Friday and Saturday. Sunday service will remain the same. Local bus, circulators, and paratransit continue to operate on regular schedules.
Express and RAPID Bus Service Schedules Reduced Due to COVID-19 Effective April 6, 2020 Until Further Notice
Express and RAPID commuter bus route schedules will continuie to operate on a reduced schedule, and will operate fewer trips each weekday morning and evening. Riders should check valleymetro.org for trip planning. This is a proactive step to maintain local bus route service for those who fully rely on public transit for critical trips.
There has been less demand for commuter trips, and we are reallocating our skilled workforce of operators, supervisors and maintenance workers to focus on our local bus routes at this time.
Phoenix Transit Centers Effective March 23, 2020 Until Further Notice
Customer service windows at the following Phoenix transit centers will remain closed until further notice:
- Central Station (Central Avenue and Van Buren Street)
- Ed Pastor (Central Avenue and Broadway Road)
- Sunnyslope (3rd Street and Dunlap Avenue)
- Metrocenter (Metrocenter Mall)
Various options for purchasing fares remain available to passengers, such as ticket vending machines located throughout light rail platforms, at participating retailers or online.
For an appointment to reclaim lost and found items, please call (602) 534-5053 between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.
Access to Public Transit Department offices at 302 N. First Ave. including the Business and Workforce Development Center (across from Central Station), will be by appointment only. To make an appointment with Public Transit, email pubtrans@phoenix.gov, or call (602) 262-7242.
To make an appointment at the Workforce Development Center email phoenix.business.center@phoenix.gov, or call 602-256-3147.
For general transit-related information, please contact Valley Metro customer service at valleymetro.org or call (602) 253-5000 or TTY (602) 251-2039 between 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturdays or 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sundays or you can email csr@valleymetro.org.