FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Susan Tierney Tara LaBouff

Valley Metro R&R Partners (602) 262.4668 / (480) 292.4093 (cell) (480) 317.6064 / (602) 670-7121

stierney@valleymetro.org tara.labouff@rrpartners.com

Changes to Valley Metro Bus Service Beginning July 23

Free Week of Service July 23-27 on new Routes 572 and 573

PHOENIX (July 3, 2007) – On Monday, July 23, Valley Metro is introducing two new express bus routes that will make it easier for Valley residents and commuters to get between the Arrowhead area and downtown Phoenix and between Surprise and the Scottsdale Airpark.  These new services, along with all other new routes and changes in service, are listed in the newest edition of the Bus Book, which is available at local transit centers, city and county offices, Valley libraries, as well as on the bus beginning July 16. Multiple options for accessing route and schedule information include online access at www.valleymetro.org.

New service:

Route 154: Greenway Road from 51st Avenue to Scottsdale Airpark
Express Route 572: Bi-directional service from Surprise park-and-ride to Scottsdale Airpark during peak commute hours—RIDE FREE JULY 23-27
Express Route 573: Bi-directional service from north Glendale to downtown Phoenix—RIDE FREE JULY 23-27
MARY neighborhood circulator: serves the Maryvale and Desert Sky areas
SMART neighborhood circulator: serves the Sunnyslope area

Extensions or changes to existing routes:

Green Line: Encanto Boulevard routing is eliminated allowing buses to stay on Thomas Road; allowing service frequency to increase to 10 minutes during peak times and 20 minutes during off peak times
Route 19: operates along 19th Avenue will extend to Pinnacle Peak Road
Route 32: 32nd Street from Washington Street to Union Hills Drive
Route 41: Campbell Road routing is eliminated allowing buses to remain on Indian School Road, allowing service frequency to increase from 30 minutes to 15 minutes
Route 60: operates along Bethany Home Road will extend west to 83rd Avenue and east to 40th Street and Camelback
Route 70 (replaces Route 24): extends route from 67th Avenue to Litchfield Road (Luke Air Force Base). Loop at 43rd Avenue eliminated.
Route 72: operates along Scottsdale and Rural roads will extend to Mayo Boulevard
Route 81: operates along McClintock Drive will divert to Tempe Marketplace
-more-

Route 90: operates along Cave Creek Road and extends to Beardsley Road
Route 122: operates to and from Metrocenter Mall and extends to 67th Avenue
Route 156: operates along Chandler Boulevard and extends to Power Road (ASU Polytechnic); service on weekends increased to a 30 minute frequency

The July 2007 Bus Book is written in both English and Spanish. In addition to listing all the changes, routes and arrival times, riders will also find individual route maps, park and ride locations and fare information. Valley Metro is encouraging commuters to use its extensive Web site for bus schedules and a wide variety of other commuter services including a carpool matching feature and the online bus trip planner

Riders can also call Valley Metro’s “Next Bus” phone system, which allows commuters to learn when the next scheduled bus is due to arrive. The automated system provides 24-hour service using voice-activated phone technology. Call (602) 253-5000 or for callers with TTY (602) 261-8208.

Valley Metro/RPTA is an organization of 14 local governments that provides or funds transit services to citizens in the greater Phoenix metropolitan and surrounding areas. For more information about Valley Metro public transit services, call Transit Information at (602) 253-5000; for callers with TTY (602) 261-8208; or visit the Valley Metro website at www.ValleyMetro.org.