Local opinion: Transit is a smart Investment — for Sahuarita and the region

As the Pima County Supervisor representing Sahuarita, I respect Mayor Tom Murphy for advocating on behalf of his constituents on the Regional Transportation Authority Board. But I fundamentally disagree with his claim that low ridership means we shouldn’t invest in transit in the RTA Next plan. Dismissing public transit ignores who relies on it most, why it matters, and its potential as a catalyst for equitable economic growth.

Transit isn’t just about commuting — it’s about daily life. Especially in a post-pandemic world, residents across the region, including in Sahuarita, rely on transit to get to medical appointments, school, grocery stores, and job training. Paratransit and rural shuttles are lifelines, and demand far exceeds current supply. Investment in transit is investment in economic growth, job creation, equity, and sustainability — especially for youth, seniors, and working families.

Consider Tucson’s streetcar. A $200 million investment transformed a 3.9-mile corridor linking the University of Arizona and downtown. Since 2014, it has attracted over $2.5 billion in real estate investment, half of Tucson’s new housing, a third of its household growth, hundreds of new jobs, and $250 million in new wages. It also increased household income in the corridor by $330 million and boosted tax revenues by $2.3 million annually — nearly triple what was lost in fare revenue after fares were waived. That’s a strong return by any measure.

And it’s not just a Tucson success story — it’s a model for the entire region.

Businesses cite downtown’s transit-fueled revival as a key reason to locate in Tucson. And thanks to the RTA’s regional revenue-sharing model, those benefits ripple out to communities like Sahuarita.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, every $1 invested in public transit yields about $5 in economic returns. A $10 million capital investment generates around $30 million in business sales and supports over 500 jobs. These returns are far greater than what we typically see when we build more roads.

That’s not to say roads don’t matter — but they’re costly to build and maintain, and often encourage sprawl and more traffic, which are expensive. A new arterial road might cost tens of millions and primarily benefit car owners. Meanwhile, a well-designed bus rapid transit or vanpool system serves all residents — regardless of age, income, or ability — and encourages smarter, denser development.

Sahuarita is a growing community with young families, a rising senior population, students, essential workers, and commuters who would benefit from regional connections to the airport, downtown and medical centers without needing to own multiple vehicles. The community needs more mobility options, not fewer. Imagine what a modest investment in a neighborhood circulator or expanded Sun Shuttle service could do: teens could get to after-school programs safely, seniors could reach appointments on time, and parents could spend less time acting as chauffeurs. These are practical, high-impact solutions that elevate our quality of life.

Mayor Murphy argues that Sahuarita residents don’t use transit. The truth is, many want to — but it isn’t available or reliable enough. In every Pima County jurisdiction, demand for paratransit services far exceeds supply. That’s not a failure of transit; it’s a failure of investment.

Transit planning is not a zero-sum game. We can — and must — invest in roads and in mobility options that serve the full community. Transit expands opportunity. It reduces congestion, pollution, and household transportation costs. And when done right, it builds communities—not just infrastructure.

If we plan only for cars, we’ll get more traffic, more pollution and deeper inequities. If we invest in transit, we’ll get a more connected, economically vibrant, and resilient region.

That’s why allocating 30% or more of our regional transportation budget to transit isn’t unjustified — it’s essential. Sahuarita deserves to be part of a region that’s planning for the next generation, not just the next traffic jam.