By Rusty Bradshaw
Independent Newsmedia

Those Sun City residents who use Dial-A-Ride will see little difference in the service aside from a name and vehicle type change when the new fiscal year begins July 1.

The contract between Valley Metro and Total Transit, parent company of Discount Cab, ends June 30. Starting July 1 the service will no longer be called Dial-A-Ride. Instead it will be called Paratransit. Valley Metro will still oversee it and is partnering with Transdev and MJM Innovations.



Dial-A-Ride is available to qualified disabled riders within three-quarters of a mile from any fixed route bus service. However, the only such bus service in Sun City is Valley Metro’s Route 106 on Peoria Avenue, up 111th Avenue to Thunderbird ending at Banner Boswell Medical Center’s campus and Route 138 on Thunderbird also ending at Boswell.

“Once the switch is made, we anticipate no changes to service in Sun City,” said Susan Tierney, Valley Metro spokeswoman.

That will likely not affect Sun City Community Assistance Networks free taxi ticket service, although CAN officials have not heard specifically one way or the other.

“We have not received any information from Valley Metro or anyone else about the changes, so I cannot comment on how it will affect our Dial-a-Ride program,” Hugh Duncan, Sun City CAN board president, stated in an email. “We are anxious to find out what is going to happen on July 1.”

The free Dial-a-Ride ticket program is for low-income Sun City residents. It is funded by Sun City Foundation and other community organizations and churches, according to Mr. Duncan. The program is currently in its fourth year of operation and there are about 60 people enrolled, he added.

“Tickets are mailed out in May, August, November and February, so there is a big pile of envelopes at the office right now ready to go out on Monday,” Mr. Duncan stated April 26.

Ms. Tierney said Paratransit providers will use vans and minivans that are handicap accessible.

Sun City West residents did not have access to the Dial-A-Ride program because there are no Valley Metro bus routes in the community. Ms. Tierney said any service there, or for Sun City residents farther than three-quarters of a mile from established bus routes, would be predicated by available funding. She believes it is up to the county or specific communities to find funding for extended service.

City of Surprise officials provide funding for enhanced services in that community. Under city subsidy, Paratransit will offer three service options to riders — a regular bus to and from the senior center, a shared ride service for seniors and ADA certified riders and optimal for longer trips, as well as a ride choice taxi service.

“That Paratransit shared ride service is offered anywhere in Maricopa County within three-quarters of a mile of bus service, which is almost anywhere in the Phoenix metro area. The ride choice is kind of exciting and you will be able to see some of the advantages for residents. Reserving your trips in advance is no longer going to be necessary. Same day service is available,” Surprise Public Works Director Mike Gent said during a presentation at the April 18 City Council work session.

The new setup will allow for more trips. Surprise budgeted for 42,200 trips in fiscal year 2017 and can set aside funds for 45,000 trips in fiscal year 2018. Surprise officials are budgeting 27,000 trips for the ride choice model.

“Public transportation for areas like the Sun Cities is something we will have to look at long-term to solve those transit issues,” Ms. Tierney said. “Service is also based on demand.”

She also said bus service is not always the best answer.

“Some communities are using Uber and other methods,” she said.

The Sun City West Foundation provided a bus service for that community, but dropped it earlier this year because costs to maintain the one bus were not cost effective. Sun City also had a bus service, but it too shut down. Sun City Area Transit started operations in 1982 and at one time had as many as 14 buses, according to Mr. Duncan. SCAT had been the Dial-A-Ride provider until Valley Metro contracted with Discount Cab. SCAT officials ceased operations in 2010. By then, SCAT had provided 1.6 million one-way trips, according to Mr. Duncan.

Northwest Valley Connect helps residents find transportation resources, including using volunteer drivers and a vehicle of its own, donated by Surprise Honda for a two-year period.

Call 623-282-9300.

Editor’s Note: Richard Smith contributed to this story.