City to Pilot Microtransit Service, Chandler, AZ 2022

The City of Chandler has announced plans to pilot a microtransit service in mid-2022. This pilot will primarily serve the southern area of the Phoenix-area city for two years. The transportation service will operate from 6 AM to 9 PM, Monday through Saturday every week. Many public schools are in the program’s 18-mile service area, and students will have access to fare-free rides. Other passengers will likely pay a small fare. Like other newer microtransit services, customers will be able to request curb-to-curb rides in real-time through a smartphone app or hotline. This program will have a fleet of up to five vans that can pick up customers on average 10 to 15 minutes after requesting a ride.

Students are the intended beneficiaries of this service. Still, other customers can use this program to travel to and from other destinations, like employment hubs, in Chandler. The City of Chandler is funding this pilot with a $2 million grant from the newly established Arizona Transportation Modernization Grant Program. This $20 million program, approved recently by the Arizona State Legislature, is intended to support innovative transportation solutions for public schools across the state. The City of Chandler has yet to procure a booking and technology vendor for this microtransit service. This pilot will help the City of Chandler evaluate if microtransit is an appropriate mobility solution for students and other users in southern Chandler.

Last updated January 3, 2022