Sun Tran

Sun Tran is the public transit system serving the city of Tucson, Arizona. In, the system had rides, or about per weekday as of. 100% of the fleet utilizes clean-burning fuels, such as compressed natural gas, biodiesel, and hybrid technologies. In addition to more than 40 bus routes, the system also includes the Sun Link modern streetcar line.

WWW Official Site 𝕏 SunTran_Tucson FB suntrantucson

History

Predecessors

According to David Leighton, historian for the Arizona Daily Star newspaper, Sun Tran's history began in 1897 with the organization of the Tucson Street Railway, which by the following year was providing Tucsonans with regular mule-powered streetcar service. Streetcar tracks existed in parts of present-day downtown and to the University of Arizona. Within a few years, lack of profit caused the company to be sold and it was reorganized as Tucson Rapid Transit Co.. It shortly came under common ownership with Tucson Gas, Electric Light and Power Co.
By 1906, mules were replaced by electricity as the driving force behind the streetcars in Tucson. Four years later, TRT published its intent to increase the amount of track for its electric cars but insufficient money prevented this from occurring. In 1910, TRT owner United States Light and Traction was acquired by the newly formed Federal Light and Traction.
In October 1925, Tucson Rapid Transit Co., having realized that buses were more flexible and economical to run than streetcars and were the future of public transportation in the Old Pueblo, bought the White Star Bus Line. This small bus company would become the basis for TRT's bus service in town. Also around the same time, Roy Laos Sr., noting the lack of transit service to the south and west sides of town founded the Occidental Bus Line to serve these areas. Laos' bus service would later be called Old Pueblo Transit.
In 1930, control of Federal Light and Traction was acquired by Cities Service. On January 1, 1931, Tucson Rapid Transit formally ended all electric streetcar service in town. From this day forward it became strictly a bus company. Five years later, Jacob M. Bingham established the Mountain View Bus Line with one bus. His goal was to provide service to outlying areas that TRT didn't serve but turning a profit or even just paying his bills was difficult and soon enough TRT bought his small enterprise.
During World War II, ridership increased to a large degree, in part due to tire and fuel rationing that was carried out to support the war effort. The secondary reason for the surge was the need for public transportation for workers in the growing defense industry.
After the passage of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, Federal Light and Traction/Cities Service was forced to sell most of their operations. TRT was sold to W. Culver White, John B. Tigrett, A.V. Lindseth and L.A. Tanner. Tucson Gas & Electric was sold in a public offering.
In late 1951, the Hughes Missile Plant was finished and was operating with a small number of employees. Competition for ridership to the new factory between Old Pueblo Transit and Tucson Rapid Transit became heated and OPT filed an injunction in court to prevent TRT from providing service for employees. Early the following year, the Arizona Corporation Commission decided against OPT and allowed TRT to also provide bus service to the plant.

Founding

The 1950s and 1960s saw a steady decline in riders for Tucson Rapid Transit. Even a change in ownership in 1965 to American Transit Corp. and the installation of air conditioners seemed to do little for the failing bus service. As a result, in 1969, the City of Tucson acquired TTC, changing the name to the City of Tucson Transit System.
In 1975, a contest was held to give a new name to the bus system, with Benjamin Rios, a 25-year-old University of Arizona architecture student from Mexico, submitting the winning entry: “Sun Tran.” His prize was a $150 portable television.
Three years later, Sun Tran bought its competition the Old Pueblo Transit Co. and the city had but one bus service for riders. The year 1987 saw the opening of the Roy Laos Transit Center at 205 W Irvington Road, and in 1991, the Ronstadt Transit Center opened in downtown.

Unification

On January 22, 2009, a regional seamless transit system was unveiled that helps to better unify the various public transit services in and around the Tucson metropolitan area. One change was the renaming of several of the services under the "Sun" moniker: the Sun Tran express bus routes become Sun Express; Van Tran becomes Sun Van, circulator routes in outlying areas become Sun Connect, and RideShare becomes Sun RideShare. Along with this name change comes a new logo and color scheme, replacing the old red, yellow, and white with a blue, yellow, silver, and white livery. The new livery was introduced into service on February 16, 2009, with the addition of 47 new Sun Tran buses and 42 Sun Van paratransit vehicles to the fleet.
Sun Connect service started on May 4, 2009, under the name Sun Shuttle, with routes that serve the communities of Casas Adobes, Tucson Estates, Ajo, Oro Valley, Rita Ranch, Marana, Avra Valley, Tohono O'odham Nation, Green Valley, and Sahuarita.These transit services are operated by the Regional Transportation Authority of Pima County.
In 2010, Sun Tran received shipment of its first bus using hybrid technology and two years later Sun Tran's Northwest Bus Facility located at 3920 N. Sun Tran Blvd was completed.
In summer of 2023, Sun Tran released their Comprehensive Operational Analysis, a pseudo bus network redesign that would increase frequency, realigning and extending routes and improving access and quality of service.

Services

Sun Tran

Sun Tran operates 29 regular fixed bus routes. Most routes provide service from 6am to 11pm. A few routes provide service until midnight. Sun Tran does not provide overnight service.

Sun Express

Sun Trans operates 12 Sun Express routes, which offer limited-stop service on weekdays during peak commute hours.

Sun Link

Sun Link is a modern streetcar system that travels through the downtown area, connecting the main University of Arizona campus with the Mercado District on the western edge of downtown. Construction began in April 2012, with revenue service beginning in July 2014. The rolling stock is manufactured by Oregon-based United Streetcar.
Sun Link is double-tracked, replacing a single-track configuration previously used by Old Pueblo Trolley, a volunteer-run heritage streetcar operation, begun in 1993, mainly used by tourists and local patrons of the numerous small shops, bars and restaurants along the line. The maintenance facility is located just west of the OPT car barn and yard on 8th Street west of 4th Avenue. OPT last ran on October 31, 2011, when service was suspended for Sun Link construction; the plan was for Old Pueblo Trolley to share operations, trackage and stations with Sun Link, but no date has yet been set for OPT service to resume.

Sun Shuttle

Sun Tran operates 10 Sun Shuttle routes, which connect outlying neighborhoods to Sun Tran and Sun Express service. As of 2024, service in Ajo is operated by Ajo Transportation.

Sun Van

Sun Van is a paratransit service that offers alternative transportation for riders that are unable to use fixed-route buses because of a disability. Trips must be reserved 1-7 days in advance. In 2022, Sun Tran launched an app that allows riders to track their reserved shuttle in real time.

Fares

NOTE: all fares are free since late March 2020 ever since the COVID-19 outbreak.
The basic rate is free to all. Previously, it was $1.75; reduced fare for low-income, persons with disabilities, seniors at least 65 and Medicare cardholders was $0.75. The express bus fare was $2.35. No fares had applied to kids under 6 with fare-paying rider, limit 3. All fares used to be paid with a SunGo smart card, which can be loaded with cash value or passes. 24-hour passes & 30-day tickets were available. The University of Arizona provided discounted passes for eligible students, faculty and staff through the UA's Parking and Transportation Services.

Fleet

Current fleet

Sun Tran has an active fleet of 126 buses. In 2008, Sun Tran signed a contract with Gillig to purchase 119 biodiesel buses. This was done to avoid the need to expand CNG fueling capacity at its depot. However, Sun Tran plans to replace all diesel buses with CNG buses by FY26.

Image	Builder and Model	Year	Length	Fuel	Number	Quantity	Notes
	Gillig Low Floor	2006	40'	B5 Biodiesel	2601-2612	12	These buses have a different seating configuration compared to the 2005 Gillig buses, as seats are all arranged lengthwise. This was done to reduce vandalism that has been caused to bus windows and the interior.
	Gillig Low Floor BRT	2008–2009	40'	B5 Biodiesel	2901-2936	36	These buses, labeled "Sun Express", are used on express routes 101X-312X, and occasionally as shuttles for special events. Features include head rests, reclining seats, and heat resistant windows.
	Gillig Low Floor	2009	40'	B5 Biodiesel	2937-2950, 3001-3010	14	The 29XX buses are Low Floor, not BRT, and feature head rests and reclining seats. The rest are regular Low Floor buses.
	Gillig Low Floor	2009	40'	B5 Biodiesel-Electric Hybrid	3000	1	First hybrid bus introduced in 2010. It featured a promotional livery until 2014 when it was painted with the same livery as the other regular buses.
	Gillig Low Floor	2011–2012	40'	B5 Biodiesel-Urea	3011, 3101-3156	57	These buses run with a blend of Biodiesel-5% Urea.
	Gillig Low Floor	2012	40'	B5 Biodiesel-Electric Hybrid	4001-4010	10	New hybrid buses placed in service at the end of December 2012.
	Gillig Low Floor	2014	40'	CNG	3201-3224	24	The majority of the buses will go into service by the end of August. These new buses will eventually replace the 14-year-old Nova buses.
	Gillig Low Floor	2014	35'	CNG	3225-3229	4	These new CNG buses are smaller and have a total of 30 seats. These will replace the 14-year-old Nova buses.
	Gillig Low Floor	2014	40'	CNG	3230-3245	16	New CNG buses placed in service to replace the old CNG buses.
	Gillig Low Floor	2018	40'	CNG	3301-3323	23
	Gillig Low Floor	2020	40'	CNG	3401-3420	20
	Gillig Low Floor	2022	40'	CNG	3501-3518	18
	Gillig Low Floor	2020	40'	CNG	4011	1	This is a 2019 model
	Gillig Low Floor	2021	40'		4012-4016	5
	Gillig Low Floor	2022	40'		4017-4021	5

Retired fleet

Note that this is by no means a complete listing of retired vehicles that have operated for Sun Tran and/or its predecessors.

Builder	Model	Year	Length	Fuel	Number	Quantity	Notes
Yellow Coach	Model 733	1937	30'	Gasoline	14-15	2	These buses were withdrawn after World War II. The engine was located in the front and they sat 21 passengers.
Yellow Coach	Model 733	1938	30'	Gasoline	16-17	2	These buses were identical to the 1937 Model 733 buses.
Yellow Coach	Model 1204	1939	30'	Gasoline	18-22	5	These buses had a rear engine and sat 24 passengers.
Yellow Coach	Model 1204	1940	30'	Gasoline	23-26	4	These buses were identical to the 1939 Model 1204s.
Ford	Model 69B	1941	30'	Gasoline	27-31	5	These buses were built for World War II.
Ford	Model 69B	1942	30'	Gasoline	32-36	5	These buses were built for World War II.
Ford	Model 69B	1943	30'	Gasoline	37-41	5	These buses were built for World War II.
Ford	Model 69B	1944	30'	Gasoline	42-46	5	These buses were built for World War II.
Ford	Model 69B	1945	30'	Gasoline	47-49	3	These buses were built for World War II.
Ford	Model 69B	1946	30'	Gasoline	50-55	6	These buses were withdrawn from service in 1955.
Twin Coach	41-S "Art Deco"	1946	35'	Gasoline	101-106	6	These buses were some of the earliest to operate in Tucson. All were withdrawn in 1968.
Twin Coach	41-S "Art Deco"	1947	35'	Gasoline	107-112	6	These buses were identical to the 1946 Twin Coach buses.
Twin Coach	34-S "Art Deco"	1948	30'	Gasoline	113-115	3	These buses were withdrawn in the late-1960s. Some were converted to school buses before that.
GMC	TDH-4509 "Old Look"	1951	35'	Diesel	201-206	6	These buses were retrofitted with A/C in the late-1950s. They were withdrawn from service in the 1970s.
GMC	TGH-3101 "Old Look"	1951	30'	Gasoline	121-126	6	These buses were operated by the Old Pueblo Transit Company, which was the transit agency for South Tucson.
GMC	TDH-4509 "Old Look"	1952	35'	Diesel	207-215	9	These buses were similar to the 1951 TDH-4509 buses. All were withdrawn in the 1970s.
GMC	TGH-3101 "Old Look"	1952	30'	Gasoline	127-129	3	These buses were operated by the Old Pueblo Transit Company and were withdrawn in the 1960s.
GMC	TDH-4512 "Old Look"	1953	35'	Diesel	216-218	3	These buses were retrofitted with A/C in the late-1950s.
GMC	TGH-3102 "Old Look"	1953	30'	Gasoline	130	1	This bus was operated by the Old Pueblo Transit Company.
GMC	TDH-4512 "Old Look"	1957	35'	Diesel	220-222	3	These buses were retrofitted with A/C in the late-1950s.
GMC	TDH-4512 "Old Look"	1959	35'	Diesel	223-225	3	These buses were retrofitted with A/C in the early-1960s.
GMC	TGH-3102 "Old Look"	1959	30'	Gasoline	131-133	3	These buses were operated by the Old Pueblo Transit Company and were withdrawn in the 1970s.
GMC	TGH-3102 "Old Look"	1960	30'	Gasoline	134-136	3	These buses were similar to the 1949 TGH-3102 buses but only had a single door. They were withdrawn from service in 1974.
GMC	TDH-4517 "New Look"	1962	35'	Diesel	228-231	4	These buses were the first in Tucson to be built with air conditioning, and were also the first GMC "New Look" buses in service. They were withdrawn from service in the early 1980s.
GMC	TDH-3501 "Old Look"	1966	30'	Diesel	140	1	Although this bus was built in 1966, it had the "Old Look" design. It was built for Old Pueblo Transit Company and withdrawn from service in the late-1970s.
GMC	T6H-4523A "New Look"	1972	35'	Diesel	7201-7211	11	These buses were the first to be ordered by the city of Tucson.
GMC	T6H-4523A "New Look"	1973	35'	Diesel	7312-7321	10	These buses were identical to the 1972 GMC New Looks.
Flxible	45096 "New Look"	1973	35'	Diesel	7322-7331	10	These buses were the first Flxible buses to enter service in Tucson. They were withdrawn from service in the 1990s.
GMC	T6H-4523A "New Look"	1974	35'	Diesel	7402-7403	2	These buses were ordered by an operator in Texas but ended up in service in Tucson. They were renumbered from 1402 to 1403 and were withdrawn from service in the mid-1990s.
GMC	T8H-5307A "New Look"	1974	40'	Diesel	1474-1479, 1481, 1484, 1488	9	These buses were delivered new to Tucson but were actually built for various transit agencies across the United States who did not take up these buses. They were temporarily operated in Tucson from 1974 to 1978, when they were replaced with AM General buses. 1475-1478 were sold to Valley Metro and were withdrawn in 1989, while the rest were sent to other operators. These were the first buses in Tucson.
Flxible	45096 "New Look"	1975	35'	Diesel	7532-7563	32	These buses were the first to be built for Sun Tran and featured a different livery from the red and yellow that is featured on buses today. All of these buses were withdrawn in the mid-1990s.
AM General	9640-8 "Metropolitan"	1975	40'	Diesel	5501-5512	12	These buses were the first to be built for Sun Tran, and featured a different livery from the red and yellow that is featured on buses today. All of these buses were withdrawn in the mid-1990s.
Flxible	35096 "New Look"	1976	30'	Diesel	7664-7684	21	These buses were built for Old Pueblo Transit, which served the city of South Tucson. Originally, these buses were numbered 5050-5070 but after OPT was taken over by Sun Tran in 1978, these buses were renumbered to 7664–7684. All of these buses were withdrawn in the mid-1990s.
AM General	10235B "Metropolitan"	1977	35'	Diesel	7764-7775	12	These buses were all withdrawn by 1997.
AM General	10240B "Metropolitan"	1978	40'	Diesel	5713-5724	12	These were the first buses painted in the red and yellow Sun Tran livery. All of these buses were withdrawn by 1997.
GMC	T8J-204 "RTS-04"	1981	40'	Diesel	8101-8119	19	These were Tucson's first RTS buses. They featured rollsigns and frameless windows. All were withdrawn from service in 2000.
GMC	T8J-204 "RTS-04"	1986	40'	Diesel	8601-8613	13	All of these buses were withdrawn from service in 2000.
GMC	T8J-206 "RTS-06"	1986	40'	Diesel	8614-8629	16	These buses were similar to the earlier 1986 GMC buses but were built as RTS-06 models rather than RTS-04 models. All were withdrawn from service in 2000.
Orion Bus Industries	02.501	1994	25'	CNG	9470-9475	6	These buses were powered by CNG and were withdrawn in the early 2000s.
TMC	T80-206 "RTS-06"	1989	40'	Biodiesel	8930-8984	55	Only 8 buses of various numbers remained in the fleet until May 2008 were mostly used on express routes. Most of this type was retired in the fall of 2005 with the arrival of the 2005 Gilligs. These buses were formerly powered by diesel.
Neoplan USA	AN440	1991	40'	Biodiesel	9101-9125	25	9123-9125 formerly ran on Diesel/CNG
Neoplan USA	AN440	1993	40'	Biodiesel	9326-9340	15	These buses were formerly dual-fueled and could run on diesel or CNG. They are identical to the 1991 Neoplan buses.
Neoplan USA	AN440	1994	40'	Biodiesel	9441-9469	29	These buses were formerly dual-fueled and could run on diesel or CNG. They have Luminator Mega:MAX flip-dot signs and a different A/C unit compared to the other Neoplan buses. The last ones in service were retired from the active fleet in 2012 with the arrival of the new 2012 Gilligs.
New Flyer	C40HF	1996	40'	CNG	9676-9694	19	These buses were the first purely CNG-powered buses in the Sun Tran fleet. They also were the first buses to feature automatic stop announcements and hard seats throughout the entire bus. These were withdrawn in 2011 when the new Gillig 2011 buses arrived.
New Flyer	C40HF	1997	40'	CNG	9701-9725	25	These buses are similar to the 1996 New Flyer buses but feature grey interior flooring and sidewalls rather than the orange interior found on the 1996 buses. Retired in Fall 2012 with the arrival of the 2012 Gillig buses.
Nova Bus	40102CNG "RTS-WFD"	2000	40'	CNG	2001-2045	16	These buses originally featured Luminator LEDot front signs, but they were replaced with Luminator Horizon signs in 2005. 24 of these buses were retired from the active fleet in July 2014. The other were withdrawn in 2015.