What: Sun Tran is adding new express routes, paid for with $491,000 from the Regional Transportation Authority sales tax. These new routes and all other express routes will operate with new blue, grey and white Sun Express buses.
When: New express routes begin service Monday. Multiple runs will depart Oro Valley and Rita Ranch between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. weekdays, returning between 4 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. Express return service will also be provided to Rita Ranch during those times.
Where: The routes go from the northwest and southeast areas of town to employment hubs at Raytheon and Downtown.
• Route 107X: Oro Valley to Downtown
• Route 203X: Oro Valley to Raytheon/ Aero Park area
• Route 110X: Rita Ranch to Downtown and Science and Technology Park
People are also reading…
The Oro Valley routes will run southbound in the mornings and back to Oro Valley in the afternoon.
The Rita Ranch express service will run in both directions during rush hours.
Where to catch them: Multiple stops, but new park-and-ride lots have also been created in Oro Valley on the southeast corner of Lambert Lane and the Cañada del Oro Riverfront Park and in the Rita Ranch area at Old Vail Road west of Houghton.
Cost: $2 for the Aero Park run, $1 for the others.
Why: Customers have been asking for increased service in these areas, said Katrina Heineking, general manager for Sun Tran.
More details: The Rita Ranch express bus will go two ways because two-way service cost only $10,000 more per year than running a one-way bus, said Jim DeGrood, director of transportation services for the RTA. Plus, there are employment centers at both ends of the route, Downtown and at the Science and Technology Park.
Questions? Check the Ride Guide or go online to www.suntran.com for other changes beginning Sunday, as some routes and times have changed. Questions can also be directed at Sun Tran's customer service center, 792-9222.
