Council votes to keep Tucson transit fare‑free, directs staff to design safety plan

The Tucson Mayor and Council voted on Aug. 6 to retain a fare‑free SunTran system for the near term and directed staff to return with a safety program and assessment for bus drivers, riders and stops.

The vote followed a Title VI fair equity analysis staff presented showing no disproportionate burden on low‑income riders across the five fare scenarios considered. Councilmember Kevin Dahl moved to direct staff to maintain fare‑free transit and that motion was seconded. During floor discussion several members noted the analysis and stressed the council’s prior policy objective of keeping transit accessible to students, seniors and low‑income residents. Vice Mayor Lynn Santa Cruz and others argued that proposed new fees were meant to sustain fare‑free transit and should not be used to restore fares as a separate budget balancing move.

Council amended the motion to ask staff to report back — within the council’s requested timeline — with a safety plan addressing both drivers and riders, including potential Transit Safety Officer deployments, on‑site behavioral supports, lighting and camera improvements, and partnerships with housing‑first navigators and other social services. The motion passed 5–2.

Council members acknowledged tension between long‑term transit funding and the need to maintain a free system, noting other agenda items discussed the possibility of targeted revenue measures to close a budget gap. Manager and staff said the revenue slate under consideration would close the FY26 deficit while keeping transit funded and fare‑free for the coming year if adopted.

Next steps: Staff will develop and return with a safety assessment and an action plan for immediate measures and longer‑term staffing and capital improvements, plus a timeline for how any future revenue options might be paired with transit funding decisions.