Bus from Williams Gateway to Phoenix (Mesa, Chandler: rent, transfer, taxis)

[HDCowgirl]

Is there any metro bus service from Williams Gateway airport to Phoenix residential areas? Flight 5/22/08.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by HDCowgirl

Is there any metro bus service from Williams Gateway airport to Phoenix residential areas? Flight 5/22/08.

No, there is no bus service to that destination. Right now, I think there is just too little passenger traffic at Gateway to justify transit service to and from the airport.

[motormaker]

I think Prescott has bus service to Phoenix, not sure about residential areas thou.

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by motormaker

I think Prescott has bus service to Phoenix, not sure about residential areas thou.

There are privately run shuttles between Sky Harbor Airport and Prescott with a stop along the way in North Phoenix. There's no Greyhound service or anything like that, though.

[motormaker]

silverbear,
You are correct. I neglected to mention that.

[Climacus]

Theoretically, it looks like you could walk out of the airport over to the campus of ASU Polytechnic and get on the 156-West bus, which has its first stop just east of Williams Field Road and Power Road. You could then use the 156 West to connect to the 72 north, and the 72 North to connect to pretty much any major line that goes to Phoenix.

But that's really, really complicated. (and i've never actually been there to know if it's truly possible). It involves somehow walking out of the airport in the heat while probably carrying bags with you for almost a mile, finding your way (asking for directions) to the bus stop, then taking 3 different and very long bus routes with possibly 30 minute waits in the heat between transfers. Getting to Phoenix might take you longer than your plane flight!

So the better answer to your question is probably no, public bus service isn't a good option yet. Hopefully this will change as more passenger flights go there. There are apparently private shuttle companies and taxis which can take you from Williams Field to where you need to go in a much quicker and more comfortable way for about fifty bucks, or of course you can rent a car. . . .

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by Climacus

Theoretically, it looks like you could walk out of the airport over to the campus of ASU Polytechnic and get on the 156-West bus, which has its first stop just east of Williams Field Road and Power Road. You could then use the 156 West to connect to the 72 north, and the 72 North to connect to pretty much any major line that goes to Phoenix.

But that's really, really complicated. (and i've never actually been there to know if it's truly possible). It involves somehow walking out of the airport in the heat while probably carrying bags with you for almost a mile, finding your way (asking for directions) to the bus stop, then taking 3 different and very long bus routes with possibly 30 minute waits in the heat between transfers. Getting to Phoenix might take you longer than your plane flight!

So the better answer to your question is probably no, public bus service isn't a good option yet. Hopefully this will change as more passenger flights go there. There are apparently private shuttle companies and taxis which can take you from Williams Field to where you need to go in a much quicker and more comfortable way for about fifty bucks, or of course you can rent a car. . . .

Good point about route 156. My guess is that if passenger service eventually picks up at Gateway that the route will be extended a half mile to the airport. Still, it would be two transfers to get to DT Phoenix. Bottom line is that Gateway is really optimal only for passengers going to and from points in east Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, etc. For someone heading to Central Phoenix or Tempe, Sky Harbor is preferable for many reasons.

[Climacus]

It would be nice if there were simply be an express bus from Williams Gateway to Sky Harbor and/or some light rail stop. I can't imagine it would be that expensive to implement, perhaps it could even be coordinated with ASU to provide transportation to the polytechnic campus. But then, there are a lot of little transportation improvements that would be nice...