Chandler-to-Scottsdale Airpark bus route starts

A new express bus route between Chandler and the Scottsdale Airpark is expected to be as popular with commuters as a year-old route between Surprise and the airpark.

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Valley Metro launched the second express route, Route 511 between Chandler and the airpark, on Monday. Both operate during peak commuter hours.

The Surprise-to-airpark route - Route 572, instituted about a year ago - saw a 443 percent increase in the number of riders per month between August 2007 and June, said Susan Tierney, Valley Metro bus system spokeswoman. The number of riders in that time increased from 572 to 3,108 per month.

"I'd say it's an incredible increase," Tierney said. "We're pleased and we hope to keep growing in ridership."

The airpark is one of the top three employment centers in the Valley, with downtown Phoenix and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport the other two. Airpark businesses employ more than 50,000 people, with up to 10,000 more expected in next five to 10 years, Scottsdale officials have said.

Rick Kidder, president of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, said much of the airpark's work force lives in places like Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert because it's less expensive to live there than in Scottsdale. Many airpark businesses subsidize employees' use of the bus system, he said.

"My guess is the Chandler route is going to be extremely successful," he said.

Demand is also driven partially by rising gasoline prices, Kidder said. "The price of gasoline is such that hourlong commutes are getting expensive."

Tierney agreed.

"People look for public transportation to save them money, for convenience and to help out with air quality," she said.

She said Valley Metro will get a better idea of the true demand for the Chandler route once a light-rail station in Tempe, at Apache Boulevard and Price Road, begins operation in late December.

"I think we won't know much about that route until the light-rail station opens," she said.

Fares on the new Chandler route will be $1.75 one way or $3.50 for an all-day pass, Tierney said. Each weekday morning it starts at Arizona Avenue at Chicago Street in Chandler, then goes up Loop 101 to Scottsdale Airport and includes a stop at Scottsdale Community College. The route reverses each weekday evening.

The new route is expected to cost nearly $364,000 a year to operate, with bus fares covering about a quarter of the amount. The remainder will come from Regional Transportation Plan funds Maricopa County voters approved in 2004, Tierney said.

The Surprise-to-airpark route also uses Loop 101, between a Surprise park-and-ride at Bullard Avenue at Tierra Buena Lane and Scottsdale Airport, including a stop at Arrowhead Towne Center.

More information on the bus routes can be found at www.valleymetro.org.