Transit Master Plan PP-2025-10-07.pdf

Transit Master Plan 
Update
October 7, 2025

Why are we updating the Transit Master Plan?
Council Strategic Action item
Identify the type of transit service that best serves Buckeye
Implement a short and long term strategy with calculated 
milestones

What Has Been Done Thus Far
• Looked at key factors that drive transit 
demand
• Inventory of current services
• Community  Survey
VM Route 685 and 563 existing route through Buckeye
VM Vanpool Travel Patterns for Buckeye, AZ

Summary of Findings
Current density and characteristics show low demand for fixed routes.
 Services like microtransit (On-Demand) fit Buckeye’s current needs.
Connections between downtown Buckeye, Sundance, Verrado, 
Tartesso, Festival, will be increasingly important as employment and 
services continue to grow.
Based off 
Buckeye’s current 
demographics

Summary of Findings Continued
• Community Survey, 2 months, 644 surveys 
completed
• Lower income individuals are more likely to 
experience transportation challenges
• Majority of respondents expressed strong 
desire for public transit but did not provide 
specific ideas on the type of service

Transit Strategy (Short and Long Term)
Short Term
• Hire a transit coordinator to 
oversee ongoing and new 
transportation services (In Hiring 
Process)
• CSD service expansion (In-
Process)
Long Term
• Request Valley Metro to Continue & 
Expand Existing Services 
• Expand City investment in public 
transportation (micro-transit)

CSD Service Expansion
• Target audience includes but not limited 
to:
i.
Older adults (60 and over)
ii.
People with disabilities
iii. Veterans
iv. Low-income individuals

CSD Service Expansion Cont..
• Staffing will be provided by:
• 1 FTE Transit Coordinator (Hiring 
Now)
• 2.5 FTE drivers (Approved, Jan 
2026 hiring date)
• Fleet Inventory:
• One (1), 12 passenger cutaway bus 
(transferred from CSD program)
• Two (2), new Braun ADA vans with 
wheel chair ramps (ordered with 
expected delivery date Mar/April 
2026)

Opportunities from this Program
• Expands capacity to more residents in Buckeye.
• Operating as Pilot Program provides time to adjust and 
refine program.
• Pilot Program does not commit City to Long term service.
• Operating internally provides staff direct insight into 
community needs. 
• Provides a guide on what Phases 2 and 3 could/should be.

Challenges
• Funding 
CSD Service Expansion has been funded in FY26 by ALF. Continuation of 
services will need to be funded.
• Advanced reservation system with riders booking 24-48 hours in advance. 
CSD may accommodate same-day reservations and work towards on-
demand as service matures.
• Tartesso and Festival geographic location make the area difficult to service.
CSD can add or adjust service as appropriate.

Next Steps
• Community Engagement meetings (on-
going through October)
• Transit Master Plan posted to City 
website, 30 day public comment period to 
begin (October – November)
• City Council acceptance (December)
Active and Approved Developments through June 30th 2023, Source: MAG database

Next Steps (long term)
• Evaluate Pilot Program –
Identify successes and challenges and areas for improvement.
• Micro-Transit –
Evaluate the type/version to implement.
• Funding –
Evaluate the funding opportunities and pursue.

Questions