Tucson Transit History

Past, Present & Future

More Than a Bus Company

At Sun Tran we pride ourselves on being more than just a bus company. Sun Tran employees are proud to be a part of Tucson and its close-knit community. Community involvement is one of the factors that distinguishes Sun Tran as an award-winning transit service and makes Tucson a better place to call home. Below are a few community programs in which Sun Tran takes part.


Early Transit in Tucson (1870-1960)

Herdic at San Xavier Hotel

1879

The town of Tucson was served by a herdic line – small two wheeled carriages with rear entrance – operating with a schedule based on passenger demand.

1882

The Tucson Land and Herdic Coach Company was organized and began service on April 30. Regular trips continued until 1888.

Herdic at Old Main

1897

The Tucson Street Railway was organized and regular service began in November 1897. Service to the University of Arizona began in 1898.

Two mule-car routes were in operation by 1900.

By 1903, trackage was extended and a third route was added.

 

1905 – 1906

In 1905 the Tucson Street Railway was reorganized as Tucson Rapid Transit Company (TRT)

By 1906, TRT replaced mule powered transit to an electric streetcar system. Electric service began June 1, 1906 with five used streetcars.

The end of mule powered transportation

1916 – 1922

In 1916, Shad Bowyer created Blue Bar Auto & Taxi Livery which serviced areas not visited by the streetcars.

In 1918, TRT purchased the Blue Bar Auto & Taxy Livery  adding two buses to the streetcar service. After that the buses were only used when streetcar service was interrupted. TRT continued bus service until October 1918. This opened the way for competition.

White Star Bus Line is incorporated in 1922 and competes with TRT by looping around the University of Arizona.

1924 – 1925

More competition arrived in 1924 by Roy Laos. He started the Occidental Bus Line which served southern and western parts of Tucson. Service began in June 1925 with the first route starting at South Meyer Street/8th Avenue.

In 1925 TRT buys White Star Bus Line and starts permanent bus service around the university.

1930

Streetcar service ends December 31, 1930.

The following day buses took over the streetcar runs and TRT began servicing the entire city.

1931 – 1936

Ridership was dramatically impacted by the Great Depression. In 1933 ridership was less than 500,000.

TRT perseveres despite limited maintenance and aging buses.

Mountain View Bus Line was established providing suburban service to Tucson Medical Center, Oracle Road and Broadway.

1940 – 1949

TRT buys Mountain View bus lines and integrates their routes into the TRT system using five additional Yellow Coaches.

During World War II ridership increases to over 7 million and TRT increases their buses from 15 to 38.

TRT gets new ownership which results in a purchase of 21 new buses and extended service.

In 1949 peak ridership reached 8.9 million between TRT and Occidental Bus Line.

Occidental Bus Line becomes Old Pueblo Transit Co.

1950 – 1966

Tucson’s population grows rapidly. Ridership declines dramatically to about 1 million.

 

Sun Tran’s Beginning (1967 – 1980)

1967

Tucson Rapid Transit Company (TRT) was sold to American Transit Corporation. The first day of operation began February 3, 1967.

After 60 years TRT’s name was changed to Tucson Transit Corporation (TTC).

1969 -1973

Ridership continued to decline causing private ownership to end and on January 1, 1969 the City of Tucson assumes control of Tucson Transit Corporation (TTC).

Tucson Transit Corporation was now named City of Tucson Transit System.

Starting in 1972, 31 new GMC “new look” style buses were added to the fleet and service was expanded throughout the city.

1974

City of Tucson attempts to purchase Old Pueblo Transit Co. (OPT) but fails. This resulted in the city contracting OPT to provide “supplemental service” on their routes.

The first bus shelters were purchased but proved unsuccessful because their glass-enclosed design trapped heat, making passengers uncomfortable while waiting for the bus.

An Airport Express route began via Alvernon Way. Service was discontinued in 1976.

 

1975

In January, a Color the Bus contest was held to select a new paint scheme and name for the City of Tucson Transit System.  The wining name was Sun Tran, with a yellow and red sun with a bus in the middle.

A bill was passed allowing counties to contract with cities to provide transit services. This led to the launch of the first bus routes outside city limits (Route 16 on Oracle Rd. and Route 9 on Tanque Verde and Sabino Canyon Rd.)

44 new buses arrived with the new Sun Tran paint scheme, 32 Flixbles (35’ long) and 12 AM General s (the first 40 long buses owned by the City).

 

 

 

 

1976 – 1978

Summer of 1976, buses were moved to the new service facility at Park Avenue and Ajo Way. The offices were equipped with a paint shop, body shop, large wash rack and heavy mechanical repair equipment.

In 1977, Hughes Express was established. This service continues today with multiple Raytheon Express routes.

In 1978, Roy Laos’ Old Pueblo Transit Co. (OPT) gives up its franchise, giving Tucson a unified transit system. Sun Tran slowly integrated OPT’s routes with those of Sun Tran.

Expanding Service and Modernization (1980 – 2000s)

1980 – 1981

Sun Tran introduces new paint scheme and logo.

Express service started on routes 4X, 8X, 9X, and 14X.

1985 

Sun Tran held a grand opening for the Golf Links & Kolb Park and Ride.

1987 

The Roy Laos transit center opened on Tucson’s south side and was Tucson’s first transit center. It was named after Roy Laos who started the Occidental Bus Lines.

On July 1, 1987 Van Tran was born and provided paratransit services to the community.

 

1988 – 1989

The American Public Transportation Association honored Sun Tran with its American Public Transportation Safety Award.

Sun Tran introduces first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus. The General Motors bus 7315 was converted to run on CNG in addition to diesel.

Sun Tran purchased 55 new buses all equipped with wheelchair accessibility. All 55 buses were lined up at the University of Arizona Mall for the public to view.

Ronstadt Transit Center Grant Opening

1990 – 1991

Sun Tran introduces first Ride Guide in June 1990!

Ronstadt Transit Center opened in downtown Tucson. The transit center was named after Tucson’s pioneering Ronstadt family.

1994 – 1999

Tohono Tadai Transit Center opened on the northwest side of the city. This was the first transit center designed under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) guidelines.

In 1996, electronic fareboxes were installed on all Sun Tran buses.

Sun Tran completed installation of its Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) system which allows Sun Tran to track every bus while in service. This system was integrated with the new automated annunciator system.

Grand opening of Tohono Transit Center

2001

Sun Tran acquired 45 CNG-fueled Nova buses, making 100% of the fleet wheelchair accessible

Digital video recorders were installed on most buses to enhance operator and passenger security.

2005

Sun Tran was named America’s Best Transit System by the American Public Transportation Association.

Sun Tran transitioned the bus fleet to 100 percent Gillig buses, creating a more efficient maintenance process by using only one manufacturer.

2006

Sun Tran received 50 new low-floor bio-diesel buses, to make 100 percent of the fleet utilizing cleaner-burning fuel and ADA accessible.

Sun Tran’s maintenance facility was one of the first U.S. transit maintenance facilities to receive the Environmental Management System ISO 14001 certification recognizing Sun Tran’s capacity to maintain and improve upon its environmental performance.

2009

Sun Tran introduced new look for the company and other services. The new color scheme went from red and yellow to blue, gray and white.

Express routes were now called Sun Express and Van Tran changed to Sun Van.

Sun Van’s fleet transitioned from diesel to gasoline, increasing efficiency for Sun Van vehicles.

 

2010

Sun Tran introduces new hybrid bus! This bus offers low emissions,
with the power, range and convenient fueling of conventional fuel powered vehicles.

2012

Sun Tran’s Northwest Bus Facility was completed. The 25-acre facility includes City of Tucson fleet fueling facility, Operations building, Maintenance building with 30 bus bays and additional bus wash bays, parking for 150 buses and fueling station, and administration building.

Hybrid buses were put into service and utilized on Sun Tran bus routes.

 

2013

Sun Tran introduced SunGO, a smart card fare payment system designed to simplify transfers across the region. Usable on Sun Tran, Sun Express, Sun Shuttle, and eventually the Sun Link Streetcar.

Sun Link & Tucson’s Transit Today (2014 – Present)

2014

Tucson introduced the Sun Link streetcar, one of the city’s largest transportation projects. Construction began in March 2012 and was completed in just over 19 months. Spanning 3.9 miles, the route links popular destinations such as Main Gate Square, 4th Avenue, Downtown, and Mercado San Agustin, as well as key educational and medical facilities at the University of Arizona.

2015

Sun Tran established the Frequent Transit Network – a system of 11 routes that run every 20 minutes or less.

2017

All existing Sun Tran bus stop signs were replaced with new signs that include the updated Sun Tran logo, route numbers of routes, and a bus stop number allowing passengers to effectively use online trip planning and next bus arrival times.

Sun Tran release the GoTucson Transit mobile app to give passengers the options to purchase transit fares from their smartphones.

The City of Tucson Mayor & Council approved the Annual Pass and SummerGO Youth Pass program.

2018 

Sun Tran purchased 23 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to reduce harmful emissions, improve air quality, and lower the overall age of the fleet. The 40-foot Gillig CNG buses were introduced to service in August and replaced 23 older buses.

2019

In June 2019, the Sun Tran mobile app was launched. The app allows passengers to remotely check the status of their bus. Important information like next arrival times, bus stop reminders and real-time bus locations is all available from the safety and comfort of a rider’s smartphone.

2020

The first electric bus went into service May 17, 2020. The electric bus is powered only by battery and produces zero-emissions. Five additional electric buses were added later in the year.

Sun Van launched the door-to-door transportation, Sun On Demand! This new service provides curb-to-curb rides for individuals traveling within each zone.

Sun Tran, Sun Link, Sun Van and Sun Shuttle went fare free. Fares are currently free.

Sun Tran experienced a decrease in service as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2023

Sun Tran conducted a Comprehensive Operational Analysis to develop a cost-neutral plan to ensure maximum efficiency of the transit system.

2024

Post-pandemic Sun Tran’s ridership recovered to exceed pre-pandemic ridership.

*Source – Transit Fact Book, American Public Transit Association. Pima County Department of Environmental Quality. All Transit Metrics, the Center for Neighborhood Technology.

Departments

Executive Team

The executive staff of General Manager and the assistant general managers provides direction to further Sun Tran’s mission of providing quality transportation services to the greater Tucson community. The team is tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations of Sun Tran, coordinating activities of all Sun Tran departments, and serving as a liaison with City of Tucson’s Department of Transportation.

Customer Service

The Customer Service Department includes representatives in Sun Tran’s call center. Phone center representatives receive, respond to, and track customer feedback; provide trip planning assistance and other service information; and schedule and conduct community presentations.

Facilities

The Facilities Department oversees and coordinates maintenance activities for Sun Tran’s transit centers, bus maintenance facility and administrative building. The team works in tandem with the Maintenance Department to maintain the integrity of Sun Tran’s Environmental Management System.

Procurement

The Procurement department coordinates capital and operational purchases, plus handles vendor contract administration.

Finance & Accounting

Sun Tran’s Finance and Accounting Department ensures financial integrity by maintaining the fare collection system, general ledger accounts and fixed asset inventory. The department develops, implements, and monitors Sun Tran’s annual operating and capital budgets. In addition to these responsibilities, the Finance and Accounting staff processes payroll, handles accounts payable and receivable, fulfills bulk pass sales requests, and handles pass-by-mail and on-site pass sales.

Human Resources

The primary role of the Human Resources Department is to recruit, train and retain a high quality workforce. The department manages employee benefit programs, facilitates labor relations, and ensures compliance with labor laws and regulations. Staff members also plan various employee activities.

Maintenance

The Maintenance Department’s employees are responsible for maintaining, servicing, and cleaning Sun Tran’s fleet. An extensive parts inventory enables the team to perform scheduled maintenance, respond to occasional breakdowns and repair equipment.

Management Information Systems

The MIS department manages Sun Tran’s network infrastructure, phone, and computer systems, as well as the on-board cameras. Support for the company’s e-mail and internet access is provided by MIS. The department is also responsible for the automated vehicle locator (AVL), fleet maintenance, fixed route scheduling, and customer information software systems.

Marketing

Marketing’s role is to heighten public awareness of Sun Tran, improve the image of transit, and increase ridership. The department is responsible for advertising, media relations, promotions, internal and external communications, community events and ridership programs. Website content, pass products, and publications such as the Ride Guide are produced by the department. Marketing fulfills bulk Ride Guide requests, and administers through a contractor interior and exterior bus advertising.

Operations

Sun Tran’s largest department is charged with deploying manpower and equipment to run bus service 365 days a year. On the front line, Sun Tran coach operators interact with the public, drive buses, and provide boarding assistance and route information. Supervisors provide road support for coach operators, monitor on-time performance, and assign drivers and buses to routes.

Safety & Security

Safety and Security Department ensures that Sun Tran’s work practices, equipment and facilities are safe and reliable for employees and the public it serves. The department evaluates, settles and allocates reserves for pending claims; coordinates accident investigations; ensures Sun Tran’s compliance with all state and federal regulations; and coordinates detours.

Service Planning & Development

The Service Planning & Development Department completes short-range planning, including formulating and recommending service changes, monitoring current service, analyzing trends, and reporting ridership. Civil Rights of 1964 Title VI and Environmental Justice, including outreach with the public is a focus of the department.  Staff develops schedules and routes, coordinating with the Marketing Department for passenger ride guide materials.   In addition, driver work schedules are created to achieve reliable, on-time, and safe bus service. To achieve these goals, staff monitors route on-time performance, coordinating with the Operations Department, and jurisdictions on road improvement projects.  Staff coordinate with the City of Tucson, Department of Transportation and Mobility, Transit Administration, Traffic Engineering, and the bus stop advertising contractor for the placement of bus stop amenities such as shelters, and trash receptacles.     

Safety & Security

Sun Tran Personnel

Sun Tran, Sun Link and Sun Van are here to ensure our riders arrive safely at their destination as well as provide excellent customer service. Meet the teams that help keep Tucson moving! We’re here to help!

Operators

Our professional Operators at Sun Tran, Sun Link and Sun Van are the eyes and ears of Tucson’s transit system. Operators interact with the public, drive transit vehicles and provide boarding assistance and route information. If you have any questions, need help and/or need to report a problem, talk to your operator.

Sun Tran Operator

Sun Tran Operators wear a blue or light blue shirt and Friday’s operators might wear a red polo. They may also wear a bright reflective safety vest along with their employee badge.

Sun Link Operator

Sun Link streetcar operators wear a blue shirt along with a bright reflective safety vest and employee badge.

Sun Van Operator

Sun Van operators wear a gray, teal or light blue shirt along with a bright reflective safety vest and employee badge.

Supervisors

Sun Tran, Sun Link and Sun Van supervisors help support each transit operator on their routes, incidents reported, and continuously encouraging safe behavior on transit vehicles and transit stations.

Sun Tran Supervisor

Sun Tran Supervisors wear a white polo or button-down shirt, and on Friday’s they may wear a red polo shirt. They may also wear a bright reflective safety vest along with their employee badge.

Sun Link Supervisor

Sun Link streetcar Supervisors wear either gray, charcoal gray or black shirts. They may also wear a bright colored safety vest along with their badges.

Sun Van Supervisor

Sun Van Supervisors wear a black, navy blue, teal, red or blue shirts. They may also wear a bright reflective vest with their employee badge.

Customer Satisfaction

Customer service assist riders with planning trips, informing riders about bus routes, bus times, service changes, detours and finding accessible services. Riders can also contact customer service about Lost & Found, bus stop and shelter maintenance and any other questions or comments. Customer Service representatives are also located at Roy Laos Transit Center and Downtown Ronstadt Transit Center. Sun Van reservationist assists ADA eligible riders book their rides around the city of Tucson. Sun Van also allows riders to book and/or view their planned trips on the Sun Van Paratransit app.

Sun Tran Customer Service (520) 792-9222 TDD (520) 628-1565

Sun Van Reservationist (520) 798-1000 TDD (520) 628-1565

Customer Service

Customer Service (520) 792-9222 TDD (520) 628-1565rnrnHours:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eM-F: 6 a.m. – 7p.m.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSa-Su: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e

Sun Van Reservationist

Call to book a reservation daily 7 a.m.- 4 p.m. (520) 798-1000 TDD (520) 884-5100rnrnTo learn more about Sun Van services click u003ca href=u0022https://www.suntran.com/routes-services/sunvan/u0022u003ehereu003c/au003e.rnrnu0026nbsp;

Sun Link Right of Way Technicians

Sun Link’s Right of Way (ROW) technicians are most likely out working at Sun Link stations or any part of the streetcar tracks making sure all rider facilities are safe and in good working condition. The team is either making repairs or inspecting the wires above. When working, ROW Technicians will be in a Sun Link vehicle with warning lights on and safety cones.

Right Of Way Technicians

ROW Technicians wear gray long sleeve, along with their bright colored safety vest and badge.

Safety & Security Team

The Safety and Security Department ensures that all Transit facilities are safe and reliable for employees and the public it serves. The department coordinates and responds to illegal behaviors, accident investigations, security upgrades and manages the security contract.

Safety u0026 Security Team

Operations Team

Operations department is the heart of the company, which has buses running 365 days a year. Operations is made up of supervisors, dispatchers, and the administration team. The administrative team schedules over 600 Operators between Sun Tran, Sun Link and Sun Van to service Tucson.

Sun Tran Operations
Sun Link Operations
Sun Van Operations

American Guard Services

American Guard Services is an established, reliable and accredited security protection firm. The security officers deploy in various ways to monitor routes and facilities for both Sun Tran and Sun Link. Officers assist in providing a safer and more secure experience for transit users and employees. If you need help or like to report an incident, talk to a security officer.

American Guard Officers

Security officers wear black or blue shirts along with vest.


Passenger Safety

a safe place street sign

Safe Place

All Sun Tran buses and facilities are a Safe Place for our Tucson Youth. There is a yellow Safe Place sticker logo located on each Sun Tran bus near the front door of the bus. The sticker identifies the places that are safe for youth in crisis. All Operators and Supervisors are trained on what to do for a Youth in crisis. If you are in crisis and need help, board the bus and tell your driver you need help. The Driver will assist you right away.

Human Trafficking Awareness

All of Sun Tran buses feature a set of stickers notifying the public of human trafficking. The decals mark the vehicles as a Safe Place for endangered youth, and a haven for anyone experiencing trafficking. Human Trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to get someone to perform labor or sex acts in exchange for money or something else of value such as a place to live or drugs. Click here for more information on Sun Tran’s Human Trafficking Awareness campaign.

Ride with Respect

The “Ride with Respect” Code of Conduct is customer-focused and aimed to create the best rider experience, while discouraging disruptive, intrusive, unsafe or inappropriate behaviors on a transit vehicle or transit facility. We must all do our part so that our riders and our transit employees feel safe and secure on any Sun Tran, Sun Link, and Sun Van vehicles and/or at any transit facility. The Code of Conduct is enforced at all of our transit facilities, stops and vehicles. Click here to learn more about the “Ride with Respect” Code of Conduct.

Transit facility security & projects

American Guard Services

The American Guard security team works closely with Sun Tran’s Safety & Security team. The American Guard officers routinely monitor Sun Tran’s transit centers, and ride selected buses to ensure the safety of our riders while on Sun Tran properties. If you need help or need to report an incident find an American Guard officer at any transit center.

See something, say something

Report suspicious activity if something does not look or feel right. Let an Operator or Sun Tran, Sun Link or Sun Van employee know of suspicious activity. In case of an emergency, call 911.

Security Cameras

All Sun Tran, Sun Link, Sun Van vehicles and transit centers are monitored by video surveillance cameras. Sun Tran vehicles are also equipped with audio surveillance systems. All surveillance is used for operator and passenger safety and security, training, investigations and other business purposes. The presence of these cameras contributes to a safer environment for passengers.

Bus Locator System

Each bus is tracked at all times using the Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) system which was installed in 1999. This decreases the response time in the event of an emergency.

Do Not Leave Items Behind

Please keep your personal items with you at all times. Items left behind could cause unnecessary security alerts and transportation delays. Call Customer Service (520) 792-9222 for Lost & Found as soon as you realize you forgot your items on any transit vehicle. To learn more about Lost & Fount click here.

No Climb Fence at Laos Transit Center

For your security, do not climb the fence located on the east side of Laos Transit Center. Please use the appropriate sidewalks to exit the transit center.

Sustainability

Protecting The Environment

The service we provide at Sun Tran is essential to improving air quality in our community by taking cars off our busy streets and utilizing clean-burning fuels. Do your part, ride Sun Tran!

How is Sun Tran helping our environment?

Cleaner-Burning Fuels

Now 100 percent of Sun Tran’s fleet uses cleaner-burning fuels, including hybrid technology, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Biodiesel. These fuels reduce emissions because they emit fewer particulates than traditional diesel-fueled vehicles. For more information on Sun Tran’s fleet, visit Fleet Facts.

Environmental Management System (EMS)

Sun Tran’s maintenance facility is one of the first United States transit maintenance facilities to earn EMS certification compliant with the ISO 14001 standard. What does ISO 14001 mean? It’s the system standard established by the International Organization for Standardization. Certification of the EMS to this standard demonstrates that an organization has a strong management system in place for continually improving its environmental performance with regards to regulatory compliance and pollution prevention.

Sun Tran is strongly committed to maintaining a safe and clean environment, preventing pollution and preserving the community’s natural desert resources.

Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

Sun Tran Northwest Facility is LEED Gold Certified and Sun Link Operations and Maintenance Facility is a LEED Silver Certified.

LEED Projects are certified by the United States Green Building Council. The goal of LEED is to create better buildings that are designed to:

  • Lower operating costs and increase asset value
  • Reduce waste sent to landfills
  • Conserve energy and water
  • Be healthier and safer for occupants
  • Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions

Solar Powered Lights at Bus Shelters

Sun Tran takes advantage of living in sunny Tucson by utilizing solar energy to provide lighting at many bus shelters throughout our community. These shelters reduce the amount of energy we use to provide safe and well lit shelters for our passengers.

What can you do to help our environment?

Ride Sun Tran! Learn how much daily greenhouse gas you save by riding the bus instead of driving.

According to the American Public Transportation Association:

  • Public transportation is reducing Americans’ energy bills.
  • Each year, public transportation saves more than 45 million barrels of oil, which is equal to approximately one month of oil imports from Saudi Arabia, or half the energy used to manufacture all computers and electronic equipment in the U.S.
  • Public transportation produces 95 percent less carbon monoxide and nearly half as much carbon dioxide for every passenger mile traveled.
  • For every passenger mile traveled, public transportation is twice as fuel efficient as private automobiles.
Reports, Plans &Surveys

Annual Reports

Read our latest annual reports and learn about our ridership, initiatives and positive community impacts throughout the year.

Annual Reports

Monthly Operations Reports

Sun Tran tracks dozens of performance indicators and routinely analyze the data to improve those metrics and stay competitive with peer systems benchmarks.  Browse our latest report for ridership statistics, on-time performance percentages, revenue and expenditure data and departmental highlights.

Monthly Operation Reports – 2024

Monthly Operation Reports – 2023

Monthly Operation Reports – 2022

Monthly Operations Reports – 2021

Monthly Operations Reports – 2020

Monthly Operations Reports – 2019

Reports, Plans & Surveys