Since March 2020, residents in the city of Tucson have been able to ride for free on the region’s extensive network of buses and streetcars. Community reliance on fare-free public transit has only continued to grow since then, along with a groundswell of support across local businesses, organizations, non-profits, and grassroots groups. You may have been one of the countless members of the public who wrote emails, signed our petition, and spoke to the Mayor and Council to urge their support for fare-free transit, spearheaded by the organizing efforts of the Transit for All Coalition. All of that advocacy culminated in a unanimous vote at the May 9, 2023 Mayor and Council meeting to commit to fare-free transit indefinitely, or "until there is an affirmative vote from the council to reinstate the fares."

As of November 2024, the City of Tucson's Mayor and Council continue to explore ways to fully and sustainably fund public transit. Fare-free transit is funded through June 2025. Thank you for using your voice on this important issue! You can continue to thank the leadership of Mayor and Council by:

1) Writing to Mayor & Council using the info at bit.ly/YesToFreeTransit

2) Sending a message through our letter-writing campaign at bit.ly/NoFares

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At the March 5, 2024 Study Session, under the leadership of Mayor Romero and Council Member Santa Cruz, the Mayor & Council directed the City Manager to return to the March 19 Study Session with more information about potential sources of funding.  They opted out of beginning the process of reinstating fares, because as Vice Mayor Dahl noted in a local article, "the city council would get 'deluged again and again' by people who Dahl says 'justifiably' think a free transit service is a 'great deal.'"

During the March 5 Study Session, Mayor Romero said that the “incredible growth of our system with our fare-free transit system is absolutely worth the investment" and noted that "the Prosperity Initiative talks about prioritizing transportation options to connect disadvantaged communities to jobs, schools and resources." Council Member Santa Cruz also spoke compellingly in support of treating public transit as a public good.

On May 9, 2023, the City of Tucson Mayor & Council voted to keep public transit fare-free indefinitely. As of February 2024, public transit continues to be fare-free with no guarantee of permanence. It's more important than ever to continue reaching out to the City of Tucson to urge them to ensure access to fare-free public transit as a public good.

A memorandum from the City Manager was released on February 28 that recommends reinstating fares for Sun Link and Sun Express services. On March 5, Mayor and Council will discuss the future of fare-free transit. Your advocacy made a difference before. The time has come to let Mayor and Council know once again that public transit is a public good and should remain permanently fare-free!

In addition to signing this petition, you can take action in two ways before March 5:

1) Write to Mayor & Council using the info at bit.ly/YesToFreeTransit

2) Send a message through our letter-writing campaign at bit.ly/NoFares

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Since March 2020, residents in the city of Tucson have been able to ride for free on the region’s extensive network of buses and streetcars. Free fares are in effect until June 30, 2023. Between now & then, city leaders will be working to identify ways to keep public transit zero-fare, permanently.

Mayor Regina Romero said that “In Tucson, we are working to shift the narrative to focus on people versus cars." Making our public transit system fare-free would be a significant step toward a future in which our transportation system serves everyone, including our road's most vulnerable travelers. Local advocates in a recent Arizona Luminaria article noted that availability of free public transit can offer greater mobility and more money in people’s pockets, is necessary in a time of great economic struggle and uncertainty, and a crucial component of addressing climate change since it can get more people out of their cars. According to a recent study conducted by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, “Switching to riding public transportation is one of the most effective actions individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint, much more so than purchasing hybrid or electric vehicles.” The same study found that eliminating fares for public transportation would boost the regional GDP by between $13 and about $18 million dollars and result in about 100 new jobs.

How Can You Help Make Our Public Transit System Permanently Fare-Free?

1. Join the Transit for All Coalition (transitforalltucson.com) by emailing zero.fares.tucson@gmail.com to get involved with this growing coalition of transportation advocates!

2. Sign this petition & share widely with others!

3. Contact your City Council Member & Mayor Romero with the information available at bit.ly/YesToFreeTransit