SunLine presents 'Rides Reimagined'; SunRide microtransit now geofenced in Rancho Mirage
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Summary
SunLine CEO Mona Babauta briefed Rancho Mirage council on a performance analysis called 'Rides Reimagined,' described outreach and an online survey, detailed services including fixed routes, paratransit, subsidized taxi and SunRide microtransit, and confirmed SunRide geofence coverage in Rancho Mirage after January service changes.
Mona Babauta, CEO and general manager of SunLine Transit Agency, presented an operations overview called “SunLine Rides Reimagined” and said the agency is analyzing ridership data and soliciting public feedback to shape the Coachella Valley’s next five decades of transit service.
Babauta described SunLine’s service area (more than 1,100 square miles), annual ridership of roughly 3,000,000, and a mix of services: fixed routes (Sun Bus), paratransit (complimentary service within three‑quarters of a mile of a fixed route), subsidized taxi trips for older adults and people with qualifying disabilities (up to $150 in trips with a $75 subsidy), and SunRide, the agency’s microtransit service similar to app‑based ride options. She said SunLine is in the early phase of the Rides Reimagined program, reviewing origin‑destination data and travel times to identify gaps and potential route or service changes.
“SunLine is your public transit provider for the Coachella Valley,” Babauta said, and noted next year will mark the agency’s 50th anniversary. She described survey outreach in English and Spanish, paper survey distribution at senior centers and other community locations, and a QR code linking to the online survey on SunLine’s website.
Local public commenters asked about SunRide availability. Resident Michael Harrington said he believed Rancho Mirage did not have SunRide and urged the city to ensure seniors can access it. Babauta responded that a January service change implemented SunRide in Rancho Mirage and pointed to the presentation map showing the geofence. She also offered staff assistance for app setup.
Public transit advocate Alex Cruz cautioned that microtransit should not replace fixed‑route bus service and urged continued investment in frequent routes on main streets to provide reliable, permanent mobility options. Council members acknowledged that SunLine’s approach is multi‑modal and said survey feedback will inform future route additions.
Next steps: SunLine continues data analysis and community outreach; staff can share presentation materials and help distribute paper surveys to senior housing and mobile home parks for residents who prefer or require non‑digital access.