The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration has awarded the Phoenix Public Transit Department with a $12.9 million congestion relief grant. The award will fund Project EASE (Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion) in Phoenix. In partnership with Via Transportation, Inc., this project will implement microtransit service (a flexible, on-demand transit option) and evaluate its effectiveness with the city’s commuter bus program, known as RAPID bus service. The project also aims to discover new ways to decrease congestion within specific zones.
Project EASE is a three-pronged congestion mitigation initiative designed to provide greater options for passengers to utilize public transit. This includes:
- Implementing three strategically placed microtransit zones in Phoenix over a three-year period,
- augmenting existing RAPID commuter bus service that will complement the new microtransit zones,
- and integrating new and existing microtransit services into the regional transit software application (Valley Metro app) for trip planning, real-time vehicle tracking, and fare payments.
“Today marks an exciting day for Phoenix with the award of a new $12.9 million grant to our Public Transit Department for Project EASE,” Mayor Gallego said. “The project won’t just help relieve congestion, it will also enable us to advance innovative transportation solutions that will improve our commuter bus program as well as explore new strategies to keep our city moving efficiently.”
The total project cost is estimated at $16.2 million, with Phoenix providing a local match of $3.2 million. The City of Phoenix plans to undertake community engagement and outreach efforts in 2025 to gather public feedback and opinions on implementing and refining the services.
The Phoenix Public Transit Department provides Phoenix residents a variety of transit options and is the largest member of the Valley Metro regional transit system. Services range from local and commuter buses to alternative transportation for senior citizens and special needs. The City of Phoenix funds public transit, and other transportation improvements, through Transportation 2050 (T2050) – a local sales tax approved by Phoenix voters in 2015 – as well as county and federal funds. T2050 allows for enhanced bus service, transit-related technology improvements and fare media upgrades under the leadership of the Citizens Transportation Commission.
