Media Relations

The Sun Tran, Marketing & Communications teams are a resource for media outlets, independent journalist and the general public seeking information about our work. Media releases are found on the homepage Media Center page.

Photography and Video recording on Sun Tran, Sun Van and Sun Link property

Sun Tran, Sun Van and Sun Link facilities and properties are public, with the exception of secure areas. Members of the media and the general public are free to photograph and/or record video in the public areas of our properties, and do not need to seek permission as long as:

1. Does not interfere with Transit operations
2. Does not interfere with an employee’s completion of their official duties
3. Sun Tran, Sun Van and Sun Link’s image- While we support your project, we want to make sure that public transportation isn’t viewed in a negative manner. Using Sun Tran as a background and entity in filming and photography projects must not depict Sun Tran, its employees or agents, in a bad light. We want to make sure portrayal of public transportation isn’t depicted as an unsafe or dangerous environment. Sun Tran regulates and controls the use of its intellectual property including but not limited to its name, marks, logos, insignias, designs and/or symbols.

Restricted areas that require secure badge access are not public spaces, in accordance with Sun Tran’s policy. If a member of the media or public would like to inquire about accessing those areas, they should reach out to the media relations listed below.

Filming or Photography at a transit facility

At Sun Tran, we take pride in providing safe and efficient transportation options for our bus, streetcar, on demand and paratransit passengers. That’s why we welcome the opportunity to be featured in photography and film productions to highlight how we are paving the way for community driven transit.

If you are a member of a news media organization, trade publication, or the financial community, you may download the Sun Tran images as provided here for non-commercial use only, provided you reproduce the trademarks and marketing materials in the exact original form of display and retain all trademark and copyright and notices.

Getting Things Started

In order to be approved to film at or on any Sun Tran, Sun Link premises you have to follow a few steps first:

1. Complete the Scope of Work to describe the project. A Sun Tran representative will respond within two business days.
2. Provide a Certificate of Insurance according to the filming criteria, which names Sun Tran as an additional insured, with the following limits:
   • General Liability for anything related to the streetcar, i.e. filming inside/outside, at stations or working anywhere around the alignment is at $1,000,000 per occurrence, not aggregate.
   • General aggregate $2,000,000 per occurrence
   • Auto $1,000,000 per occurrence
   • Workers Comp per state statute
3. Pay $100 fee by cash or check made payable to Sun Tran
4. If the request is approved, complete the location agreement.

Student Filming Guidelines

Future auteurs and photographers can shoot for free as long as they are a student enrolled at an accredited college or university. Charges could apply if support personnel are needed.

What’s Support Personnel?

For every project a coordinator will be assigned to determine what, if any, support personnel are required based on the Scope of Work.

Helpful Hints

1. The schedule of fees, if necessary, will be determined once the Scope of Work is reviewed.

Liability

Sun Tran will not be held liable for damages and injuries that occur during filming or photography sessions. The requestor must agree to waive all claims, release and discharge Sun Tran, Sun Link and Sun Van, and every one of its staff and board members, from and against all liability in connection with injuries or damages.

Here are some quick things to consider:

1. We’re all about creative freedom, but shooting in and around Sun Tran locations must not disrupt regular operations of transit services
2. All filming and photo sessions must be scheduled at a date and time approved by Sun Tran
3. Subject matter must not promote alcohol or tobacco products and obscene or illegal activities
4. If a fare is applicable, the current valid fare is required for each member of a filming or photography crew  

Sun Link Streetcar Special Event Permit and Sun Link Track Access

Special Event Permits for Sun Link Streetcar

Holding an event within or around Sun Link’s right-of-way can be hazardous. Always assume the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) is energized unless confirmed otherwise by Sun Link staff.

Contractors or event coordinators planning a festival, race, or other events on or near the streetcar tracks must complete and receive approval for a Special Event Permit before the event. This ensures coordination between your event and Sun Link service to maintain safety and prevent service disruptions.

A Special Event Permit is required if your event may impact streetcar operations or takes place within the Sun Link Right of Way (ROW).

1. Submission timeline: Permits must be submitted at least seven (7) days prior to the event.
2. Validity: Permits are valid for a maximum of seven days.
3. Restrictions: Banners or signs may not be attached to any streetcar poles or the OCS.
4. Power-downs: If a power-down is needed, it must be arranged in advance and confirmed in the field.
5. Training requirement: Contractors and event coordinators must complete a Track Access training class before submitting the permit. This training must be renewed annually. Both the training and permits are provided free of charge.

Track Access Permits

Working within Sun Link’s right-of-way (ROW) can be hazardous. Always assume the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) is energized unless confirmed otherwise by Sun Link staff.

Contractors planning to work on or near Sun Link streetcar tracks must submit a Track Access Permit and receive approval prior to starting work. This permit process ensures that all safety protocols are followed when entering the streetcar’s operational Right of Way (ROW), particularly for work that may affect service or require power-downs.

1. Submission timeline: Permits must be submitted at least seven (7) calendar days in advance.
2. Validity: Approved permits are valid for up to seven days.
3. Training requirement: Contractors must complete a Track Access training class before submitting a permit. This training must be renewed annually. Both the training and permits are provided free of charge.
4. Coordination: Contractors must coordinate with Sun Link Operations before, during, and after all work activities.

Important: Power to the OCS can only be shut down during designated late-night hours, Sunday through Wednesday, and must be scheduled in advance.

Special Events Permits and Track Access permits requirements:

1. Download the Track Access Permit Form: Download HERE
2. Submit completed forms to: trackaccess@tucsonaz.gov
3. Call 30 minutes before entering and after exiting the ROW: (520) 791-3333 (Option 3)

Media Relations & Requests for Interviews

Sun Tran values having a transparent and working relationship with our media partners. Sun Tran, Sun Van and Sun Link encourages media to reach out should they want to inquire about our services, conduct interviews or seek information about our company policies, or need information about media releases. We are happy to assist. Please contact:

Sun Tran Communications Team

Media Kit

In our Media Kit you will find, Logos, Image Library and B-Roll.

Media Kit Link

Social Media Policy

Sun Tran has established a Social Media Policy for employees and customers to follow. Through officially branded social media accounts, Sun Tran provides updates on our services, news and information related to our work. None of the information posted to a Sun Tran social media page is exclusive to, or only accessible through those channels. This policy is subject to change.

For specific questions about Sun Tran, Sun Van or Sun Link services  visitors should continue to access Suntran.com or reach out to Sun Tran’s Customer Satisfaction team by calling (520) 792-9222 or by emailing at SunTranInfo@tucsonaz.gov during normal business hours.

Communications made via comments on any Sun Tran social media channel or page will in no way constitute a legal or official notice or commentary to Sun Tran, Sun Van and Sun Link for any purpose. Sun Tran cannot attest to the accuracy of all the information provided by third parties or any other linked sites. Posted comments and images do not necessarily represent the views of the Sun Tran, Sun Van and Sun Link and do not constitute an endorsement on behalf of Sun Tran.

Communications with Sun Tran via social media are voluntary, but interactions (posts, comments, messages) related to agency business are generally considered public records under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 41-151.18, § 39-121). These interactions may be archived, disclosed to the public upon request, and are not considered private, even on personal accounts if used for government business.

Comments & Moderation

Sun Tran encourages a respectful discourse on our social media pages. That includes your comments, ideas and concerns. Please be advised that your comments are immediately released into the public domain, so do not submit anything you do not wish to be broadcasted to the greater public, including your personally identifiable information.

Individual users are responsible for the content they post on Sun Tran, Sun Van and Sun Link social media pages through comments, including text, video, photos, gifs, or other material. Sun Tran does not agree with or endorse every comment made on our social media pages.

Your comments are welcome at any time, however, Sun Tran will maintain a respectful and welcoming discourse in our comment sections as Sun Tran’s moderators deem necessary. Sun Tran’s communications staff uses restraint in removing or hiding comments but will so as a last resort. Sun Tran does not discriminate against any viewpoint but reserves the right to remove comments that:

1. Are abusive, vulgar, offensive, threatening, and defamatory or contain harassing language, personal attacks, or offensive terms that target specific individuals or groups or incite illegal activity.
2. Are off-topic or promote, endorse or oppose a service or product, political party, person campaigning for elected office or ballot proposition.
3. Are spam, including the same comment posted repeatedly or gratuitous links to third party sites.
4. Infringe on copyrighted or trademarked material, or is deemed an infringement of intellectual property.

Sun Tran maintains the right to remove entire posts at its discretion and without notice. Posts that are removed are archived, along with the full comment threads.

Users who violate our social media policy multiple times over the course of a year, or are threating towards others may be blocked from interacting or viewing content as a last resort.

Sun Tran’s social media channels and sites are not hosted by Sun Tran, and thus its privacy policies do not apply. By accessing or using each social media site, you are accepting the practices described in those particular sites’ privacy policy. Users are solely responsible for the content they post and should be mindful of that specific site’s Terms and Conditions.

Shared Content

From time to time, Sun Tran may also share content from other users, (as applicable for each social media channel), that we think is interesting or important to our followers and other users. Sun Tran is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or reliability of the content in these shared links. Sun Tran does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through shared content or links, nor does it explicitly or implicitly endorse these sites, their content or official Comment Policy.

Sun Tran has no control over content, commercial advertisements or other postings produced by the social media site that may appear on the Sun Tran page as part of the site’s environment.

Follow the Sun Tran, Sun Van and Sun Link on Social Media

1. @suntran_tucson on Twitter , Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
2. Sun Tran on LinkedIn

Transit Advertising Opportunities

LAMAR Advertising offers a wide customer reach to include hundreds of thousands of our city’s commuters, pedestrians and transit system riders seven days a week, 24 hours a day. LAMAR offers a myriad of advertising, promotion and event sponsorship opportunities.

Contact LAMAR Advertising to reach your customers today: lamar.com/tucson

Link to City of Tucson Advertising Policy

Filming Scope of Work