The Chandler City Council unanimously approved an April 24 consent agenda that included a contract for its main public transportation. The renewed, $3.315 million, two-year contract renewal for Chandler Flex, the city’s on-demand, shared transportation service, is with River North Transit LLC.
Even with all the uncertainty surrounding federal funding lately, city of Chandler leaders felt comfortable enough that one grant was far along enough to ask the City Council to approve a multi-year contract.
Those leaders probably felt confident doing that after the congressman who helped secure the funding made a statement about it.
Council unanimously approved an April 24 consent agenda that included a contract for its main public transportation. The renewed two-year contract renewal for Chandler Flex, the city’s on-demand, shared transportation service, is with River North Transit LLC.
The contract will extend service from July 1 of this year through June 30, 2027, at a cost not to exceed $3.315 million.
Chandler Flex was initially launched in July 2022 to provide residents with convenient and flexible transit options, as the city doesn’t have its own bus system.
During the first two years of Chandler Flex service, the program was funded by an “A for Arizona” transportation modernization grant that used state funding. To fund the next two-year contract, U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Phoenix) worked to secure a $1 million Congressionally-Directed Spending CDS grant to fund as much as 50% of the cost of Chandler Flex operations, according to a staff report.
“Good transit drives economic development — and as one of the fastest-growing areas in the region, Chandler needs flexible and affordable last-mile transportation options,” Stanton stated via a news release about the grant. “I was proud to work with Mayor Hartke to bring home federal funding to extend and expand the successful Chandler Flex program.”
Chandler Flex uses minivans to provide shared rides, the report states. Passengers can request a ride with a smartphone app and are picked up and dropped off within a specified city service area, the report states.
Rides are typically shared with other passengers. The service area is generally bound by Chandler Boulevard on the north, Price Road on the west, Chandler Heights Road on the south and McQueen Road on the east.
Since its inception, Chandler Flex has provided more than 100,000 trips, the report states.
“The city of Chandler is proving itself to be a leader in providing reliable, convenient and safe transportation options for Chandler residents, students, workers and visitors,” Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke said in the news release.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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