Sun Tran, the operator of Tucson’s public transportation system, is holding public meetings to gather feedback on service and fare changes and how these inequitably impact the city’s diverse communities.
The meetings come as the Tucson City Council is considering whether public transit should be free for everyone to ride and funded by taxpayers. City leaders have twice extended the zero-fare transit program on Sun Tran buses and Sun Link streetcars since it first enacted this change at the onset of the pandemic.
Sun Tran is holding the meetings every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through July 21.
According to Sun Tran, these “Title VI meetings” are held every three years as required under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which states “no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
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We are thoroughly covering the issue of fare-free bus service in Tucson because you told us you are frustrated when you only see news coverage about a local issue when it’s too late to participate. Check out the stories so far:
Tucson is about to take action on the future of free transit fares
The pandemic ended Tucson transit fares, should it stay a free public service forever?
There are seven in-person meetings in neighborhoods along different transit routes, and an eighth meeting will be held online.
Spanish and English-speaking staff will provide information at the meetings. A survey about transit fares, already available online, will also be distributed at the meetings.
Those who can’t attend the meetings can submit comments by calling Sun Tran customer service at 520-792-9222, or by emailing suntraninfo@tucsonaz.gov. Sun Tran will accept feedback through July 29.
Sun Tran open house meetings
• Thursday, July 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Ward 1 Office, 940 W. Alameda St.
• Monday, July 18, 1-2 p.m. at Quincie Douglas Library, 1585 E. 36th St.
• Tuesday, July 19, noon to 1 p.m. at the Pascua Yaqui Health Center, 7474 S. Camino De Oeste
• Wednesday, July 20, 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.
• Thursday, July 21 from 6-7 p.m. Virtual. Join here.
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