Phoenix staff to revisit plan to reduce Route 0A frequency after council concern

Phoenix transit staff told the Transportation Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee on April 16 that a recommended reduction in Route 0A bus frequency would be implemented to align the route with the South Central light rail extension, but the panel asked staff to pause the change and return with a phased implementation plan.

The proposed modification would reduce Route 0A from 15‑minute to 30‑minute service, effective July 20, 2025, to reflect anticipated rider transitions to the light rail, which staff said will run at 12‑minute frequency when the South Central extension begins June 7. Public transit staff warned the proposal had drawn majority negative public comment; the subcommittee pressed staff to explain outreach and mitigation steps.

Why it matters: Council members said making the service change in peak summer months could leave riders — especially heat‑vulnerable people and those without smartphone apps — waiting longer at sun‑exposed stops. Members asked for a phased approach or postponed start date to avoid creating heat‑related safety gaps while the light rail ramps up service.

Public transit staff said the recommendation rests on modeling and automatic passenger counts that show adequate capacity when light rail and bus service operate together. "It is rare that we move forward with a recommendation when the public feedback does not support it," a public transit staff member told the subcommittee, but added that the higher‑frequency light rail made staff confident in the proposal.

Staff described planned rider outreach: app alerts with live vehicle data, framed signs at stops, English and Spanish onboard messages, targeted on‑site staff outreach at stops, and regional Valley Metro communications. Jesus (transit staff) said staff would monitor ridership via automatic passenger counters on buses and rail and could modify service if loads rise above capacity.

Council members voiced three recurring concerns: that many commenters oppose the cut in frequency, that July is an imprudent start date because of Phoenix summer heat, and that some riders may not receive or use app‑based notices. Councilwoman Hodge Washington and others urged a phased rollout and more direct outreach, including station‑level staffing and extended monitoring after the light rail launch.

Outcome and next steps: Subcommittee members unanimously agreed to delay action and asked staff to return with an adjusted phasing and implementation schedule rather than proceed immediately. No formal reduction or ordinance change was adopted at the April 16 meeting; staff will report back with a plan informed by early light rail ridership data.