Sun Shuttle launched its pilot service in Picture Rocks, and now your feedback and input on the route is needed! There are two ways you can provide your input. Join us in person, April 6th at 5:30p at the Picture Rocks Community Center located at 5615 N. Sanders Rd. or by taking the survey online now until April 23 by clicking the link below.
The meeting room is accessible to persons with disabilities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), those requiring special assistance, such as large-type face print, sign language or other reasonable accommodations, may request those through the administrative offices at: 1. E Broadway Blvd., Suite 401, Tucson, Ariz., 85701, (520) 792-1093, at least 24 hours before the meeting. Si necesita ayuda con traducción, llame por favor al (520) 792-1093 y comuníquese con Zonia Kelly.
Route 3, 11, 37, and 50 will have changes beginning February 23, 2025.
Route 3 & 37
Route 37 will serve Stella Road between Pantano Road and Camino Seco instead of Route 3. Camino Seco from Stella Road and Irvington Road will now be served by Route 37. All service on Escalante Road has been discontinued. There are no frequency changes or service changes planned at this time.
Route 11 and Route 50 will merge and no longer travel on South 6th Avenue between Ajo Way and Laos Transit Center. Route 11 will now extend west on Ajo Way to Mission Road, discontinuing Route 50. There are no frequency changes or service changes planned at this time.
The City of Tucson and Sun Tran, in partnership with the Pima Association of Governments (PAG), evaluated all aspects of Sun Tran, Sun Link, Sun Express, and Sun Shuttle services throughout Tucson, and the greater Tucson area to determine potential improvements through the COA.
Following nearly 11 months of public outreach to gather input on proposed changes to improve transit efficiency, equity, and effectiveness, Sun Tran staff will host six (6) public meetings to discuss the Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) proposed transit changes. The meetings will begin Monday, January 22 through Monday, January 29.
Join us at one of our upcoming events below to learn more about the proposed changes.
The following January meetings are in person:
Monday, January 22, 2024 at 5 p.m. Fred Archer Recreation Center | 1665 S La Cholla Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85713
Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 12 p.m. Tucson City Council Ward 2 Office | 7820 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85710
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 12 p.m. Woods Memorial Library | 3455 N 1st Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719
Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 12 p.m. Pascua Yaqui Tribal Chambers | 7474 S Camino De Oeste, Tucson, AZ 85746
Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. Miller-Golf Links Library | 9640 E Golf Links Rd, Tucson, AZ 85730
Friday, January 26, 2024 at 12 p.m. Quincie Douglas Recreation Center | 1575 E 36th St, Tucson, AZ 85713
Monday, January 29, 2024 at 5 p.m. Tucson City Council Ward 6 Office | 3202 E 1st St., Tucson, AZ 85716
For those unavailable to attend in person, you can watch this video of the COA project team explaining the recommended changes:
Jessica Gonzales is the local muralist and fine artist behind lots of murals you’ve seen around town including the Rialto Theater, Antigone Books and the mural aplty named “The Road Unpaved” located at the Special Services Transit office located at 35 W. Alameda. We sat down with Jessica to get to know her better and to find out more about her work.
What was your inspiration and the story behind the “The Path Unpaved” mural located at the Special Services Transit office?
My inspiration behind The Path Unpaved was to convey a sense of exploration and the adventure of new experiences. It reflects the way we can learn and grow as individuals when we allow ourselves to break beyond the boundaries of what we know or feel comfortable within. It is about self-exploration, travel, and allowing ourselves to embrace the unknown. The woman in the mural is gazing towards new horizons, and the landscape behind her becomes progressively more and more abstract and rooted in fantasy. Because of the long configuration of the wall, the design guides viewers along the length of the mural and tells a story along the way, inviting viewers in close to see fine details and small vignettes hidden throughout. The mural itself not only depicts the notion of escaping the everyday routine, but also encourages viewers to do the same simply by interacting with the art.
We asked Jessica about riding Sun Tran to get around Tucson and she told us “I rode the bus as a high school student and off-and-on throughout my 20s. In high school I loved the bus ride after a long day of school. As an introvert I valued the opportunity to listen to my music and zone out without having to interact with anyone. There’s something comforting and relaxing about knowing your transportation needs are being cared for while enjoying the scenery as it passes by. I sure wish the Sun Link Streetcar was around when I was in college – I’d have been on that thing constantly instead of carrying my heavy art portfolios on my long walks to and from the UA School of Art every day!
The Path Unpaved
Where are you from originally and do you see the culture from that area affecting your work?
I come from a military family, so we moved around a bit in my early years. I was born in Oklahoma City, OK, and then we moved to Germany, where I lived from age 6-12. We then moved to Tucson where I’ve resided ever since. Having spent my formative years in southern Arizona as a young adult, and discovering my identity and artistic voice here, I feel genuinely connected to Tucson as my home. My Mexican-American heritage combined with the rich culture of this city have a heavy influence on the way I express myself through art. I am visually inspired by the boldness of the shadows cast by the Arizona sun, the breathtaking sunsets, the vibrant and lively ways that Tucson’s diverse cultures express themselves through design, music, and food. All of these elements play a role in my creative process and inform the choices I make when developing public art.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
My biggest artistic influence growing up was my mother. She was the number one supporter of my creativity, and we made art together a lot. One of my favorite things growing up was when she would pull out her college portfolio and let me look at all the drawings she had created. They showed me what art professionalism looked like and gave me perspective into what my future could hold. Throughout my art career I have found myself inspired by artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Gustav Klimt, Frida Kahlo, Yayoi Kusama, Egon Scheile, Alphonse Mucha, Ralph Steadman, and many more.
Tell me about your favorite medium.
My favorite medium is acrylic paint. The quick dry time allows me to layer vibrant colors on top of one another without them blending and getting muddy. I love creating dimension through building abstracted color palettes and letting the contrast between the hues play off each other. Acrylic paint gives me a lot of freedom to explore this technique and develop my signature style.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere! Sometimes the most mundane things will spark inspiration, and a lot of times that has to do with shapes, how light is playing off something, a texture or contrast that is intriguing, or a mood that speaks to me. I find a lot of inspiration in nature and organic materials. I am also inspired by music and have created entire collections of work based on how select musical compositions have impacted me. I find inspiration in personal experience, especially topics that I have difficulty expressing verbally. I am also incredibly inspired by the creative process – no matter what the art or medium is, I am fascinated by the minds of creatives and how a finished product can start with a simple thought and blossom into a tangible masterpiece. Watching other people create reminds me of how much magic lives in our minds and our hands, and that motivates me to keep creating.
When is your favorite time of day to create?
I love to be creative early in the day, when my brain is fresh, and I have the whole day ahead of me. There is a serenity to the morning, and I love letting creativity flow in an atmosphere that is unrushed and free of outside pressure. I also love creating in the late evening, for similar reasons.
Describe how art is important to society.
Art is important to society because it allows people to have a dialogue about a wide array of topics while providing opportunities for individuals to interpret pieces in their own unique way. This is true for both the artist’s creative process and consumption by the audience. Art depicts and showcases culture, especially public art. Public art is so important because it allows works to be viewed by people of all walks of life, and adds interest, beauty, and insight to its surroundings.
What motivates you to create?
What motivates me to create is that it allows me to connect deeply to my artistic self, which feels like the most genuine representation of me at my healthiest. I am happiest, most content, most confident, and have the most clarity about my place in the world when I am making art. For all of these reasons being creative keeps me grounded, so it is not only a career or a hobby, it is a necessity.
To keep an eye on what this muralist has in store for her next projects or to see more of her work, visit JessicaGonzalesart.com or find her on Social. Instagram and Facebook jessicagonzalesart
Sun Tran, Sun Express and Sun Shuttle are rolling out new spring schedules. Click here for the Sun Tran/Sun Express Booklet Effective March 5, 2023. Beginning Sunday February 26th, Sun Shuttle has changes to 6 of its 10 fixed routes, with schedule and some minor route adjustments. Sun Shuttle has made changes to the following Routes
401
Schedule adjustments
New time point at Oracle & El Conquistador Way (Northbound only)
Stop #2 services both North & Eastbound stops on Oracle Rd with connections to Sun Express 107X
Stop #3 Provides connections to Sun Express 107X
New stop at Linda Vista & Oracle Rd
Added flag stop area between El Conquistador & Desert Sky Rd on Valle De Oro Rd.
412, 413, 421
Schedule adjustment
430
Schedule adjustment
Timepoint Changes:
#5 has been renamed to Kinney and Bopp Ranch
#7 has moved North of Bopp Rd at Donald
#9 has moved to Camino Verde just north of Oklahoma
#10 moved north and renamed Camino Verde and Drexel
#11 moved south and renamed Sunset & Irvington
#12 moved East and renames Irvington & Butts
450
Schedule adjustments
New southbound stop located at Stella & Prudence
New North and Southbound stop located at Houghton & Drexel
Effective Sunday March 5th, Sun Tran and Sun Express new Rider Guide (click here) will be available. Spring schedule is available with schedule changes to the following routes:
Contact Customer Service to trip plan or to request an emailed or mailed copy of the schedules for your route(s)
Pick up a Rider Guide at a Transit Center or onboard your bus
Customer Service representatives are available weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff can be reached by phone at (520)792-9222 (TDD: (520)628-1565) or by sending an email to SunTranInfo@tucsonaz.gov.
This month marks one year since Nelson Hall was named Operations Manager at Sun Link. He has been with the streetcar system since August 2013 and was the first streetcar operator hired in Sun Link history.
“I got hired on as a testing streetcar operator,” said Hall, who transferred his transit skills from a year at Sun Tran over to Sun Link.
The testing process included running empty streetcars along the 3.9-mile route before Sun Link officially welcomed passengers in the summer of 2014. A few months into the job, Hall promoted to Rail Supervisor. In January 2021, he moved to Lead Rail Supervisor and eleven months later became Operations Manager.
“The main goal of my position is to make sure that Sun Link provides reliable and convenient transportation to the public,” said Hall. “We need to evolve with the times and always be moving forward.”
He explains that as the community expands, the University of Arizona welcomes more students and area events grow, rider needs change. At the center of it all, Sun Link is constantly reevaluating service.
“I think you should change based on the needs of the public,” said Hall. “It is important to be dynamic, to try new things and innovative. You have to keep up with technology and accept that things are always evolving.”
Hall’s daily routine includes clocking in at 6:30 a.m. During the early hours, you will find him in his office pouring over reports, logs and data sheets. He wraps up projects and works ahead where he can. About 10 a.m., Hall mentally prepares to catch whatever the day throws out.
“There is so much activity out along the streetcar route. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable constantly.”
Along with adapting to the day’s demands, Hall strives to keep all of his skills sharp. He keeps an ear to the radio and works in the field as needed. Some of the big projects he is working on back at the office include pitching solutions to resolve pain points along the streetcar route, and evaluating and implementing software to allow for system management on the go.
“The software would allow supervisors to manage the system in the staff car in the field, rather than always being tied to the OCC,” explained Hall. “That will allow them to be more responsive to anything they need to take care of out there.”
While laying out what it will take to be a successful Operations Manager, Hall says he draws from his predecessors Cleve and Eric.
“I learned so much from them. There’s a lot of times I think, what would Cleve do.”
The outstanding support and strong examples from current leadership are also guiding lights for Hall.
“John Kortekaas is one of the best bosses I’ve ever had. He is a repository of information to draw from and his levelheadedness has taught me how to handle tough situations. Ryan, he’s basically a genius. He can juggle so much and he’s so fast at everything. Bob is very motivated and works hard. He just keeps at it until the job gets done.”
Recognizing the supervisors and operators as the backbone of Sun Link’s success, Hall says he is grateful for the skill and dedication the team brings to work.
“The frontline employees, you’ve got to give them a lot of respect.”
Proud of the tight-knit team at Sun Link, Hall says his ultimate goal is to ensure the streetcar’s service, inner-workings and legacy remain spotless for years to come.
“I have a lot of learning to do, lots more work. As long as this place continues to be a positive and great place to work at, then I feel like that is success on its own,” said Hall. “I am committed to completing projects on time and showing results. I want to show that if there is a problem, Nelson will fix it.”
Sun Tran and Sun Link are teaming up to provide ride options for the annual All Souls Procession. Participants can enjoy free public transportation options to and from the event on Sunday, November 6.
Getting There
Sun Tran buses will provide a direct route from the Ronstadt Transit Center to Grande Avenue and Speedway Boulevard, near the procession starting line. Riders should board the “Route 22 Extension – All Souls” bus at the Route 22 bay located on 6th Avenue, just outside the west wall of the Ronstadt Transit Center. This service is available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Getting Home
After the procession, riders are encouraged to use the Sun Link streetcar to travel from the Mercado district back to Ronstadt. Bus riders should note Sun Tran bus services throughout the city generally end by 8 p.m. The streetcar will be in service from the Mercado District until 10:30 p.m.
Detours
Route 3 and Route 21 riders should be aware of detours and closed bus stops due to the event. Route 3 bus stops on St. Marys Road between Grande Avenue and I-10 will not be serviced beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday. Route 21 bus stops on Congress Street between Grande Avenue and I-10 will also be closed.
Opciones de autobús y tranvía para la Procesión de Todas las Almas (All Souls Procession)
Sun Tran y Sun Link se están uniendo para ofrecer opciones de viaje para la Procesión anual de All Souls Procession. Los participantes pueden disfrutar de opciones de transporte público gratuitas desde y hacia el evento el domingo. Los autobuses de Sun Tran proporcionarán una ruta directa desde el Ronstadt Transit Center hasta Grande Avenue y Speedway Boulevard, cerca de la línea de salida de la procesión. Los pasajeros deben abordar el autobús “Route 22 Extension – All Souls” en la bahía de la Ruta 22 ubicada en 6th Avenue, justo afuera de la pared oeste del Centro de Tránsito de Ronstadt. Este servicio está disponible a partir de las 3 p.m. a las 7 p.m.
Después de la procesión, se anima a los pasajeros a utilizar el tranvía Sun Link para viajar desde el distrito de Mercado hasta Ronstadt. Los pasajeros de autobús deben tener en cuenta que los servicios de autobús de Sun Tran en toda la ciudad generalmente terminan a las 8 p.m. El tranvía estará en servicio desde el Distrito Mercado hasta las 10:30 p.m.
Los pasajeros de la Ruta 3 y la Ruta 21 deben estar al tanto de los desvíos y las paradas de autobús cerradas debido al evento. Las paradas de autobús de la Ruta 3 en St. Marys Road entre Grande Avenue y la I-10 no recibirán servicio a partir de las 2 p.m. Domingo. Las paradas de autobús de la Ruta 21 en Congress Street entre Grande Avenue y la I-10 también estarán cerradas.
With more than 150 buses on the road every weekday in Tucson, Sun Tran employs close to 400 drivers. In fiscal year 2021, Sun Tran hired 90 new coach operators, half of which received commercial driver license (CDL) training on site. Mayra Ramirez is the Sun Tran Training Supervisor and a key reason those drivers received their CDL. She not only works with hires who need a passenger designation for their CDL, but she is also there when new drivers start up a 40-foot bus for the first time.
“It’s usually the first time they’ve ever been in a bus seat,” said Ramirez.
For that trainee, the simple action of starting the engine signals the start of their journey with Sun Tran. When Ramirez is not preparing new hires for their CDL tests, she is leading retraining sessions for drivers, mechanics, fuel island attendants and other staff.
“Whenever they’ve had injuries on the job, accidents, or if their action has caused a passenger to be injured, then I will retrain,” said Ramirez. “I tell them, ‘I’m not here to scold you or discipline you, I’m here to help you. I want to give you tools to succeed.’”
Ramirez started as the Training Supervisor a matter of weeks before the pandemic changed the world.
“I was learning this new position, trying to make it my own and finding ways to put my touches on it,” said Ramirez. “Then all of a sudden, I was limited. I had to try to train and retrain people, but with no contact.”
She found a way. Training and retraining carried on, they just looked a little different. As Ramirez settled into a new normal of masks and distancing, she also had to adjust to an increase in new hires. One change the training department has made to accommodate the influx of hires is to stagger training classes.
“We’ve had as many as four training classes going on at one time,” said Ramirez. “They are all in different sections of the training.”
Training classes last an average of five weeks. Dan Snell leads training lectures for all employees, Ramirez takes care of CDL needs, then drivers work with established coach operators for behind-the-wheel training. Lastly, new hires get real-world experience with route training.
“They get to really see what the aspects of the job are when they are out with drivers, learning what could be their future route.”
The last two years have included plenty of curveballs but Ramirez keeps swinging. She credits her past work experience for her success in overcoming challenges during the pandemic.
Joining the Sun Tran team in 1996, she started as a customer service representative. Six years later, she became an administrative assistant in the Operations Department. In 2007, she transitioned to being a road supervisor & dispatcher.
“I liked challenging myself to try something different,” said Ramirez. “It really helps to have a diverse set of skills and be able to step in when needed. It’s not just to help out my fellow coworker, but I get a satisfaction out of it, too.”
There are plenty of opportunities for Ramirez to use those skills. Looking forward, she anticipates incorporating even more proactive approaches for preventing incidents, accidents and injuries. She knows new methods, technology and techniques will continue to evolve, making the transit industry even safer and more efficient.
“My goal is keeping everyone safe, whether it’s the employees or the public. I’m helping to minimize and ideally, completely eliminate any future incidents or accidents.”
Mayra as a customer service representative in 2000.
Mayra Ramirez has three children, aged 25, 20 and 9. Her favorite thing to do is spend time with family. She enjoys being an active member of the Tucson community and participating in events throughout the city.
Sun Van is hosting a community conversation where clients and stakeholders can provide feedback about the paratransit service. The virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 19 will allow participants a chance to share their thoughts on how the service could be improved and highlight what is going well. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. and is part of a series of events Sun Van initiated in August.
“We want to provide another opportunity for the community to participate,” said Sun Van Assistant General Manager Shawn Mangan. “These conversations are so important and help us gauge customer satisfaction levels while also getting suggestions from our riders on ways we can make improvements, both big and small.”
The virtual meeting will be held on Microsoft Teams. The event will include an ASL interpreter, English and Spanish-speaking staff and a live transcription option.
To turn on the closed captioning feature at the meeting, select the menu button at the top of the screen that has the three dots “…” then select “turn on live captions.”
Those who cannot participate in the meeting are encouraged to share input by calling Sun Tran Customer Service at: (520) 792-9222 or sending an email to: SunTranInfo@tucsonaz.gov
Sun Van Organizará una Reunión Virtual de Comentarios
Sun Van está organizando una conversación comunitaria donde los clientes y las partes interesadas pueden brindar comentarios sobre el servicio de paratránsito. La reunión virtual del miércoles 19 de octubre permitirá a los participantes compartir sus opiniones sobre cómo se podría mejorar el servicio y resaltar lo que va bien. La reunión comenzará a las 5:30 p.m. y es parte de una serie de eventos que Sun Van inició en agosto.
“Queremos brindar otra oportunidad para que la comunidad participe”, dijo el subgerente general de Sun Van, Shawn Mangan. “Estas conversaciones son muy importantes y nos ayudan a medir los niveles de satisfacción del cliente al mismo tiempo que recibimos sugerencias de nuestros pasajeros sobre las formas en que podemos hacer mejoras, tanto grandes como pequeñas”.
La reunión virtual se llevará a cabo en Microsoft Teams. Para unirse a la reunión, haga clic en el enlace disponible en: suntran.com/sunvan. El evento incluirá un intérprete de ASL, personal que habla inglés y español y una opción de transcripción en vivo.
Información de la reunión
Únase en su computadora, aplicación móvil o dispositivo de sala
Para activar la función de subtítulos en la reunión, seleccione el botón de menú en la parte superior de la pantalla que tiene los tres puntos “…” y luego seleccione “activar subtítulos en vivo” (turn on live captions).
Se sugiere a quienes no puedan participar en la reunión a compartir su opinión llamando al Servicio de atención al cliente de Sun Tran al: (520) 792-9222 o enviando un correo electrónico a: SunTranInfo@tucsonaz.gov
