title: “Phoenix expanding transit access with more frequent RAPID buses, new on-demand service” url: “https://www.kjzz.org/business/2026-09-14/phoenix-expanding-transit-access-with-more-frequent-rapid-buses-new-on-demand-service” author: “Connor Greenwall”
A RAPID bus stop in downtown Phoenix.
Phoenix is expanding its city transit network with a new rideshare service and adjustments to the RAPID bus schedule.
The changes are part of Project EASE (Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion). It’s a three-year pilot program with a total cost of more than $16 million, 80% of which is funded through federal grants from the Federal Highway Administration.
Expanded access to commuter bus services
Currently, RAPID buses operate inbound to downtown Phoenix during peak morning hours and outbound during peak evening hours Monday through Friday.
But starting in October, RAPID buses on the I-10 and I-17 will run in both directions every hour from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. The federal grant funding will require the city to offer reduced fare options for RAPID during off-peak hours.
“People who commute in the morning, if they have an appointment midday, they’re not usually able to use that RAPID service because they aren’t able to take their ride home until later in the day,” Sarah Brown from Phoenix Public Transit said. “But with this new service change, people will be able to catch that RAPID every hour throughout the day, either direction.”
City of Phoenix / Handout
The I-10 route runs between the Desert Sky Transit Center in the West Valley and downtown Phoenix with a stop at the 79th Avenue/I-10 Park-and-Ride.
The I-17 route goes between the Happy Valley Park-and-Ride in north Phoenix and downtown Phoenix, with stops at the Deer Valley Park-and-Ride and the Thelda Williams Transit Center at Metrocenter.
The city is also slightly adjusting the schedules for other RAPID routes, including SR-51 and I-10 East.
A city-operated rideshare program
Phoenix is also expanding transit access with a new on-demand rideshare service, which will not operate on a fixed route.
PHXLink is designed to fill gaps in the network and will allow users to book a van anywhere within their zone.
The service is broken into three regional areas: north, west and south.
City of Phoenix / Handout
Each zone covers approximately 12 to 16 square miles, and travelers will need to use another city transit system, like the bus or Valley Metro Rail, to transfer from one zone to another.
“It’s essentially addressing these desert transit areas as well,” Brenda Yanez from Phoenix Public Transportation said. “That’s the main priority of this new PHXLink service to try to get you closer to the bus stop, to try to get you closer to the light rail station.”
A transit desert, similar to a food desert, is an area with more demand than supply of services.
Yanez said not all trips on PHXLink need to connect with fixed bus routes or the light rail.
“If you are within that zone and you can get to your location by the PHXLink, then you know by all means,” Yanez said.
Users will be able to book rides on PHXLink online or through an app. Fares start at $2 per ride, and service is scheduled to begin on Oct. 26.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The story has been updated to correct that the council had already approved scheduled adjustments.