Council directs outreach on Route 5 major service change, launches fare equity study and asks staff to evaluate transit funding options

The Tucson City Council on April 8 approved multiple, related transit directives: staff will begin the public‑outreach and Title VI process for a proposed major service change affecting Route 5 and Route 22, the council authorized a Title VI fare equity analysis of five scenarios for fares, and it directed staff to return with options to study new or increased funding sources for Sun Tran.

Major service change outreach — Route 5/22: The council voted to start the formal process for a major service change that staff says would eliminate Route 5 (a low‑productivity route) and instead realign and extend Route 22 to Pima Community College West to preserve needed connections while removing service from neighborhood streets. Transit staff estimated the annual net operating savings at about $1 million if Route 5 were removed and Route 22 extended; staff emphasized any change would…