If you were 10 years old and you had already run 1,000,000
miles, you’d probably feel pretty tuckered out.
But Coyote Run—the Town’s paratransit service—has just
celebrated its 10th birthday (which means over 1,000,000 miles of
trips). And it shows no signs of slowing down.

Established in 1996, Coyote Run provides transportation to the
elderly and disabled, taking passengers to doctor’s appointments,
grocery shopping, employment centers, or even just to visit friends.
According to Transit Administrator Chuck Kidwell, the service began with a couple of Ford vans
and some volunteer drivers. Before they knew it, they already had 20 regular riders per month.
Soon the system became popular enough to justify the hiring of a full time driver and two part-time
drivers.

Since that time, Coyote Run has grown to 13 paid employees and a fleet of 9 service vehicles.
There are now over 740 individual Oro Valley residents who have registered to ride on Coyote Run.
The fiscal year 2005-06 set a record for Coyote Run with 17,507
passenger trips, or an average 1,459 passenger trips per month.
Currently, Coyote Run is making approximately 65-100 trips per
day. All Coyote Run drivers are certified in providing basic first aid
and CPR and are required to complete paratransit driver training
classes.

To be eligible for Coyote Run, a passenger must be at least 62
years of age or transportation-dependent as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Riders can take advantage of the valuable door-to-door service by requesting rides two working
days to two weeks in advance. Ticket books are available at local markets, and fares are based on
a zone system. As you travel around the Tucson area, it’s not unusual to see a Coyote Run van at
Tucson Medical Center, the University of Arizona or a shopping mall.
Coyote Run has won accolades from state and national transit organizations, including receipt of
the Outstanding Transit Provider Award from the Arizona Transit Association.
“We know that Coyote Run improves the quality of life for many of our citizens and we do it with
safety and compassion as our highest priorities,” says Kidwell.

For more information about Coyote Run, call 229-4990, or visit the website:
www.townoforovalley.com/transit