FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        CONTACT:   Marie Chapple Camacho, PIO                                                                    602-261-8254 voice/ 571-5895 cell          

Public Transit Department Changes Seven Bus Routes on July 25
Passengers will have more direct routes and more transfer choices

Phoenix, July 8, 2005 – Seven local routes running through Phoenix and neighboring West Valley cities will be changed beginning July 25, 2005.  Most of the routes are being reconfigured to reflect the street grid pattern of the City.  In some cases, passengers will find they have more transfer options.

New Bus Books will be available July 13 on board buses, at transit centers, city offices, and libraries. For more information, call (602) 253-5000; or for persons with text telephones (602) 261-8208. Preview new maps on-line at www.ValleyMetro.org

Route 1 is extended and Route 27 takes a straighter route.  Route 1-Washington/Jefferson/ASU will extend further on Washington/Jefferson from 19^th Avenue to 27^th Avenue. Route 27-27^th Avenue will extend to Durango Street to service the Maricopa County Durango Complex. The route will no longer travel 1.5 miles to Central Station at Central Avenue and Van Buren.  Transfer to downtown Phoenix can be made to Route 1 at 27^th Avenue or to Route 3 at Van Buren.

Route 3 is extended to Dysart Road in Avondale.  Route 3-Van Buren will extend 8 more miles to Dysart Road from 67^th Avenue.  Passengers will now be able to transfer to Route 131 and the Green Line. Funding for the additional miles was made possible by the City of Avondale.

Route 10 is extended. Route 10-Roosevelt/Grant will extend further on Lower Buckeye from 22^nd Avenue to 35^th Avenue but with the same ending destination of the Maricopa County Durango Complex. Transfers between Route 10 and Route 35 can be made at 35^th Avenue and Durango Street.

Route 35 takes a straighter route and some trips are extended. Route 35-35^th Ave. will no longer deviate to Durango St. and 27^th Avenue to serve the Durango Complex.  Transfers between Route 35 and Route 10 can be made at 35^th Avenue and Durango Street.

Also, several trips on Route 35 will extend to Deer Valley Road from Beardsley Road.

Route 60 will change its westend turnaround point.  Route 60-Bethany Home buses will take a northern loop, 63rd Avenue to Maryland then south on 67^th Avenue, to return to Bethany Home Road. The southern turnaround using Missouri Avenue will be eliminated.

Ahwatukee Local Explorer (ALEX) shortens its weekend route.  Service east of Interstate 10 on Ray Road will be eliminated beginning Friday, July 29.  This deviation from its regular route occurs only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

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Sara Leeper

B.J. Communications

340 E. Palm Lane, Ste. 275

Phoenix, AZ 85004

602.277.9530 x 230