Presentation and Discussion regarding Proposition 479

Transit and Proposition 479
City Council Work Session | September 14, 2026

Paratransit Service Area
RideChoice Eligibility (65+ Program)
Bus Service Enhancements
Chandler Flex Expansion
Decision Points

Maricopa County ½-Cent Sales Tax for 
Transportation
Approved by Voters November 2024
Replaces Expiring Proposition 400
Effective January 2026 – December 2045
Proposition 479 Background

Proposition 479: County Funding Programs
Freeways
49%
Transit
33%
Arterial 
Streets
10%
Other 
Programs
8%

Prop. 479 Projects 
in Chandler
Note: Chandler may get funding for other 
projects as well through a competitive process.

Mode
Regionally-Funded
Locally-Funded
Express Bus
100%
-
Local Bus
100%
Expansions beyond regional 
funding allocation
Paratransit / 
RideChoice
Federally-Mandated Service (Near Bus Routes) 
for ADA Certified Riders
- 65 and Over Program
- Southeast Chandler
Microtransit 
(Chandler Flex)
-
100%
Prop. 479 Transit Lifecycle Program

Mode
Regional 
(Prop 400)
Local 
(Prop 400)
Regional 
(Prop 479)
Local 
(Prop 479)
Express Bus
$550,000
$180,000
$730,000
$0
Local Bus
$11,110,000
$2,450,000
$13,560,000
$0
Paratransit + 
RideChoice
$2,850,000
$730,000
$2,320,000
$1,260,000
TOTAL
$14,510,000
$3,360,000
$16,610,000
$1,260,000
$2.1M Decrease in Local Expenditures
Transit Lifecycle Program (Cont.)
Prop 400 Rules
Prop 479 Rules

Program
% Locally Funded
Local Funding Needed
Bus
0%
$0
Paratransit / RideChoice
35%
$1,260,000
Chandler Flex
100%
$1,400,000
Total
14%
$2,660,000
FY2027 Local Funding – Without Policy Changes

Existing Transit Services
Chandler Transit 
Services Map
Legend
Local Route
Express Route
Key Metrics (FY2026)
Boardings: 700,000
$17 cost per boarding
        ($0 City Cost)

Existing Transit Services
Chandler Transit 
Services Map
Legend
Local Route
Express Route
First-Mile, Last-Mile
Key Metrics (FY2026)
Trips: 8,600
$5 City Cost per Trip

Existing Transit Services
Chandler Transit 
Services Map
Legend
Local Route
Express Route
First-Mile, Last-Mile
Chandler Flex
Key Metrics (FY2026)
Trips: 60,000
$22 City Cost per Trip

Existing Transit Services
Chandler Transit 
Services Map
Local Route
Express Route
First-Mile, Last-Mile
Chandler Flex
Federally-Mandated Paratransit Area*
Legend
*Paratransit and RideChoice Available Citywide

Federally-compliant service for people 
with disabilities.
Users must be formally ADA Certified.
Door-to-Door Service
Local/Regional Cost: $75 / trip
Resident Fare: $4 / trip
Volume: 25,000 Trips / Year
Paratransit Services

-Alternative Service for People with Disabilities 
-Does not meet federal ADA requirements
-Citywide Service, also offered to Seniors (65+) 
City Cost: $33 / Trip | Resident Fare: $3 | Volume: 48,000 trips / year
RideChoice

Ridership Trends
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
800,000
900,000
1,000,000
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
2025-26
Annual Transit Ridership - Boardings/Trips by Mode
Bus
Flex
Paratransit
RideChoice
First-Mile, Last-Mile

Recommendation # 1 (Paratransit)
Maintain Citywide Paratransit Service

Current Citywide Coverage
1. Paratransit Service Area
Federally Mandated Area
130 residents take about 6,000 trips/ year 
outside of federally mandated area

Ridership: 25,000 Annual Trips  
(6,000 Trips Outside ¾ Mile).
User Base: 128 Passengers
Cost / Savings
City Cost for Trips Outside Mandated Area: ~$500K per year.
Potential Cost Savings to reduce area: $200 - $250K per Year.
1. Paratransit Service Area Implications

Pros
Cons
Residents Maintain Paratransit Benefits
Paratransit Provides Door-to-Door Service
Residents Still Have the Option to Use RideChoice
City does not realize savings ($200 - $250K/ Year)
City does not align with most of the region
1. Keep Paratransit Service Area – Impact

Recommendation # 2 (RideChoice)
2.a. Require Existing 65+ RideChoice
Passengers to Pursue ADA Certification.
2.b. Require New RideChoice Applicants to Meet
ADA Certification Requirements.

200 Residents in 65+ Program (155 Active Users).
Participants provided age documentation; eligible participants were approved 
as ‘non-ADA’.
City is responsible for all ‘non-ADA’ trips under Proposition 479.
Recommendation
Require all 65+ Program Participants to go through ADA
Certification Process (Provide Information from Doctor,
Go to Valley Metro Mobility Center for Assessment).
2a. ADA Certification for Existing RideChoice Participants
If Certified: Trips Paid by Regional Prop 479 Funds.
If Not Certified: Can Continue Using Program 
(City Pays).

New 65+ Applicants
Required ADA Assessment for all New 
Applicants
If Certified:
Program Access Granted.
Trips Paid by Proposition 479.
If Not Certified:
Suggest Other Transportation Options:
 
- Chandler Flex
 
- Bus
 
- First-Mile, Last-Mile
2b. ADA Certification for New RideChoice Applicants

Local Cost to Provide Service = $340K and Growing
11,000 Annual 65+ Trips @ $31 / Trip
155 Active 65+ Passengers
29 High Frequency 65+ Users (100+ Trips per year)
Over 100 New 65+ Users per Year
Estimated Annual Cost Savings
2. RideChoice 65+ Certification Requirement Impact
$150,000 - $200,000 Immediately
Prevents future cost increases of ~$50K / Year

Recommendation # 3 (Bus)
Leverage Regional Funds to Enhance Bus Service

3. Bus Routes 112 and 136: Extend to South

Estimated Unprogrammed Regional Bus Funds: $1.9M
Route 112 (Arizona Ave.) Extension
$800K
Route 136 (Gilbert Rd.) Extension
$50 - $500K
Route 136 (Gilbert Rd.) Evening Trips
$50K
Route 104 (Alma School Rd.) Evening Trips
$80K
Route 104 (Alma School Rd.) Saturday Service
$220K
Route 104 (Alma School Rd.) Rerouting
-$130K
Total Cost of Enhancement Options:
$1.1 - $1.5M
3. Bus Route Enhancements

Recommendation # 4 (Chandler Flex)
Service Area Expansion Scenarios

4. Chandler Flex Expansion Scenarios
Proposed Mileage-based Fare Modification
$2.00 up to 6 miles; $3.00 for trips over 6 miles
Current Zone
+Scenario A
+Scenario A & B
Zone Size (mi²)
23.0
36.6
44.8
Population + Jobs
165,700
220,700
257,700
Weekly Trips
1,060
1,490
1,770
Annual Trips
55,200
77,200
92,200
Weekly Vehicle Hours
300
425
515
Annual Vehicle Hours
15,500
22,000
26,600
Annual Cost
$1.4M
$1.9M
$2.3M

Program
Without 
Modifications
With RideChoice 
Recommendation and 
Flex Expansion A
With RideChoice 
Recommendation and 
Flex Expansion A & B
Bus
$0
$0
$0
Paratransit / 
RideChoice
$1,330,000
$970,000
$970,000
Chandler Flex
$1,400,000
$1,900,000
$2,300,000
Total
$2,730,000
$2,870,000
$3,270,000
FY2028 Transit Budget – With Policy Changes
Ongoing Budget Available: $3,050,000
Long-term one-time funding (10 – 15 years): $300,000

Questions and Comments