Good news for those who use transit on their daily commute: Sun Tran buses will continue to run fare-free through June 30.
The Tucson City Council approved the extension of free fares for Sun Tran, Sun Link and Sun Van services.
The mayor and council first suspended fares for public transit systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. City leaders have renewed the moratorium on fares three times since then.
The extension will allow the city time to seek alternative funding sources for the regional transit system. Options discussed at the City Council meeting Dec. 20 included additional funding support from the University of Arizona and Tucson Unified School District, and expanded federal funding.
The advantages to using public transit for your commute:
- Save Money – Not only are fares free until at least June, but when you regularly use transit services, you spend less on gas. If you are a full-time transit user, then you can save on the cost of vehicle maintenance and insurance.
- Enjoy Cleaner Air – Using public transportation reduces the number of vehicles on the road and that means fewer vehicle emissions to maintain or improve air quality.
- Make New Friends – When you use public transit, you meet other people on the bus, shuttle or streetcar and can become friends.
- Achieve Better Health – Walk or ride your bicycle to the bus stop and add physical activity to your day.
Maintaining a fare-free system costs an estimated $10 million annually. Running the transit system tops $100 million, and the city contributes $53 million.
The Regional Transportation Authority plan allocates $534 million to transit services – Sun Tran, Sun Link, Sun Van and (regular) Sun Shuttle – over the life of the voter-approved 20-year plan.
Learn more about adding transit as a part of your commute.
