Phoenix Bus Route Changes - effective 29 December 2008

Earlier today, the City of Phoenix hosted its first Open House concerning changes to the City of Phoenix bus system once the new METRO Light Rail (LRT) comes online 27 December 2008. I'll try to summarize all changes being made to the services here, but further information can be found from the City's website here.

I. RED LINE The LRT route is primarily along the present Red Line, which itself overlaps many different bus lines. Because of this, the Red Line as it is now will be eliminated. To take people from the Red Line's northwestern terminus (Metrocenter Mall) to the present north terminus of the LRT (Christown Spectrum Mall), route 15 will be extended from Christown to Metrocenter via 19th Avenue and Dunlap Avenue. Another area through which the Red Line travels is the airport. The LRT will also make a stop "at" the airport at the 44th Street/Washington station. Route 15 will also be extended along the present Red Line routing to Terminal 4 of Sky Harbor. The City of Phoenix have prepared a map addressing the Red Line Service Deletion, and it is available here.

II. ROUTE 0 (CENTRAL AVENUE) The LRT travels along Central Avenue from Camelback Road to Washington Street. When the LRT opens, there will be three 'segments' of Route 0: from Dobbins Road to Central Station, Central Station to Camelback Road, and Camelback Road to Dunlap Road. On portions of Central Avenue without LRT service (i.e. not Central Station to Camelback Road), present service frequency will be maintained due to demand for service. Frequency will also be increased from Dobbins Road to Central Station due to the elimination of the Blue Line (see below).

III. BLUE LINE The Blue Line will be eliminated as it is now but service will not change. Route 39 will be instituted along the current Blue Line route from the Central Avenue/Camelback Road station to the route's present northern terminus at the Mayo Hospital. In south Phoenix, service of route 0 (Central Avenue) will be increased to handle the Blue Line's riders from Dobbins Road to Central Station. The City of Phoenix have prepared a map addressing the Blue Line Service Deletion/Creation of Route 39, and it is available here.

IV. ROUTE 1 (WASHINGTON/JEFFERSON) Route 1, from Central Avenue to Mill Avenue in Tempe, is being overtaken by the LRT. Bus service along Route 1 will remain the same; however, the bus will turn north at Priest Drive and head north to the Phoenix Zoo.

V. ROUTE 60 (BETHANY HOME ROAD) Route 60 will have no major service changes; however, the route will be altered slightly to meet up with the 19th Avenue at Montebello LRT station.

VI. ROUTE 13 (BUCKEYE ROAD) Route 13 will be extended from its present eastern terminus at Sky Harbor Terminal 4 to the Washington at 44th Street LRT station.

These are the major service changes. Again, please check out the Route Change List (PDF format) and the City of Phoenix Public Transit web page.

Also, please forward this widely! Let's get the word out about this.

Cheers! - EJ