Sedona updates transit rollout: 1 million Trailhead shuttle boardings, microtransit expansion and operations facility design under way

Sedona City Council heard an update on June 25 on the city’s transit programs, including progress on the Trailhead Shuttle, the Connect on‑demand microtransit service, a newly kicked-off study of an uptown circulator, and the start of design work for a transit maintenance and operations center.

Transit Administrator Amber Wagner told council members the Trailhead Shuttle — launched early as part of the Sedona Transit Implementation Plan (STIP) and Sedona in Motion (SIM) strategy — reached a major milestone this spring when the system recorded 1 million boardings in March. Wagner said year‑to‑date system data (through May) show roughly 324,516 boardings and that the system has helped eliminate more than 129,000 vehicle trips year‑to‑date and, since launching the Trailhead Shuttle, roughly 274,347 vehicle trips from Sedona neighborhoods and roadways.

The update placed those operational figures in the context of the city’s planning documents. Wagner said SIM (Sedona in Motion), the STIP (adopted in 2020), the 2021 Climate Action Plan and the 2024 Sedona Community Plan together provided a 10‑year roadmap that prioritized core fixed routes, trailhead shuttles, ADA demand‑response service and regional connectors.

Why it matters

City officials described transit expansion as a tool to reduce congestion at trailheads, improve mobility for residents and workers, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Wagner told the council that calendars and ridership patterns show seasonal variation but that the services are beginning to change travel behavior. “Each ride taken is a step towards less congestion, safer streets, and a healthier environment,” she said.

Key program details

- Trailhead Shuttle: Launched in 2022 in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Trailhead Shuttle runs four routes out of three park‑and‑ride lots and provides access to five trailheads. Wagner said…