Bus Riders - If I Have To Pick Just One Route..... (Phoenix: rent, transfer)

[yukon]

If one were to move there without a car, what would be the best route to use as a base route? I'm still learning the system, but the Scottsdale Rd route seems to be a good base route - runs early & late, provides access to much shopping/services and many E/W routes appear to intersect with it.

Are there other good routes to consider that would provide access to the most connecting routes and shopping/services?

Any good transit centers or park 'n rides to consider when reviewing areas to live in?


All advice welcomed! And no, job location at this time is not a serious consideration, I'm self-employed.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Whichever one serves the people of Surprise.

Wouldn't it matter where you lived in the valley?

[KarmaPhx]

Bell Road is a major route, along with 7th St, they both run early and late and run often.

Typically almost every bus route picks up every 30 minutes, and on Sundays every hour.

Bus fare is $1.25 per ride, or $2.50 for a all-day pass.

[Java Jolt]

The routes along Central look like they run about every 5 or 10 minutes.

I like the Rapid routes that connect from the downtown station to the suburban areas, they run during crush hour times and make very few stops along the way.

Maybe you should check out the bus schedules yourself on valleymetro and make a decision, their website is Valley Metro | Welcome.

[yukon]

Originally Posted by Java Jolt

The routes along Central look like they run about every 5 or 10 minutes.

I like the Rapid routes that connect from the downtown station to the suburban areas, they run during crush hour times and make very few stops along the way.

Maybe you should check out the bus schedules yourself on valleymetro and make a decision, their website is Valley Metro | Welcome.

Actually, I have checked out Valley Metro, and ride the various routes first-hand for a day each time I visit PHX.

However, like any city with an extensive bus system, some routes are better than others for reliability, run frequency, transfer timing, city coverage, etc., and only the locals know that. I learned it over a period of years in Dallas, but lucked into a good route immediately here in ABQ. I'm simply hoping for a little insight from locals who ride the bus regularly there in PHX - those who hopefully use it as daily transportation and more than just to/from work downtown.

From what I've figured out on my own from route reviews and first hand riding, I can already tell if I want easy coverage to events, shopping, grocery stores, housing, etc., I'm better off basing myself within the PHX city limits, rather than an outlying suburb. Which is fine with me, I grew up in the Arcadia area and currently have companies I do business with & family near or on Bell and in N PHX. I can rent a car for the times I need access to Mesa/Chandler etc. (areas off the bus routes).

Just looking for suggestions on routes I should look into further.

Thanks!

[lyzzard]

Looks like they got rid of the $1.50 no transfer altogether, it's now $1.75 standard. It use to take me an hour and a half to two hours to get from Mesa (8th St. & Alma School) to Phoenix(43rd St. and Indian School). That was many years ago though.