Service

General Characteristics of Transit Modes and Services 5

Passenger Capacity

(Per Vehicle)

Average Speed

Service Frequency

Fares (Adult Price)

Typical Operating Cost

Typical Vehicle Capital Cost

Paratransit ¹

8–12 20–21 MPH

NA Local & Regional Fares $1–$4

$$$40–$45/trip²

$$60,000–$100,000

Circulator

12–3612–15 MPH 8–30 minutes

Free–$0.50$

$4–$7/rev. mi.

$$$100,000–$550,000

(21’, 30’, 35’ light, medium, heavy duty options)

Vanpool

8–15 35–65 MPH

NA Average $25/person per week

$$0.5/rev. mi.

$$42,000–$55,000

Local Bus

36–80 12–17 MPH 10–60 minutes

$2 one-way $4 day pass

$20 week pass $33 15-day pass $64 31-day pass

$$7–$8/rev. mi.

$$–$$$$600,000 (40’) $925,000 (60’)

Express Bus (Commuter

Route)

36–80 35–45 MPH

4–6 inbound AM and PM trips

$3.25 one-way $104 31-day

$$$11–$13/rev. mi.

$$$$600,000 (40’) $925,000 (60’)

Rural

33–36

35–45 MPH

5 inbound trips; 5 outbound trips

$2 one-way, same city

$4 one-way, multiple cities

$4 trips to/from Ajo

$$2.75/rev. hr.

$$$225,000 (35’)

Streetcar 3

32–12015–35 MPH 10–20 minutes

Free–$2$$$

$183.25/rev. hr.$$$

$5,500,000

Light Rail

66–22025–35 MPH 10–20 minutes

$2 one-way $4 day pass

$20 week pass $33 15-day pass $64 31-day pass

$$$12.48/rev. hr.

$$$$5,300,000

Commuter Rail 4

90–140 45 MPHPeak: 30 minutes

Off-peak: 60–120 minutes

Often varies by distance traveled

$3.50 one-way $100–$150 monthly

$$$$550 –$700/rev. hr.

$$$ $2,000,000–$3,500,000

(range for locomotive, DMU and bi-level coach)

Notes: 1 Larger paratransit vehicles are often recommended because they offer enhanced operating conditions and have a longer replacement cycle. Larger vehicles allow for more passengers and passengers using mobility devices to be transported. 2 Values in italics are from Valley Metro’s 2017 Transit Performance Report. 3 The region’s first streetcar system is currently under development and not yet operational in Metro Phoenix. Streetcar values are based on 2015 NTD data. 4 The commuter rail is not currently operating in Metro Phoenix. 5 The values reported in this matrix are general characteristics. The speed, costs, and service frequency of transit modes can vary by time of day and day of the week.

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