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Council hears Desert Foothills Transit pitch for fare‑free circulator linking Cave Creek and Carefree
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Summary
Desert Foothills Transit proposed a fare‑free, ADA‑accessible circulator with two shuttles and ~16 stops to ease parking and congestion, asking Cave Creek to partner on grant applications and in‑kind match while the board pursues ADOT pilot funding and private revenue via ads.
Desert Foothills Transit representatives on Tuesday presented a plan for a fare‑free circulator to serve Cave Creek and neighboring Carefree, describing a two‑vehicle loop with roughly 16 stops intended to operate about 12 hours a day, seven days a week and to be ADA accessible.
Cam Cooney, president of the Desert Foothills Transit System board, said the service would use two shuttles running opposite directions to circulate visitors and residents through the town cores, reduce parking pressure during peak tourist seasons and support events such as the rodeo and Holland Center activities. "The consistent communication between the town of Carefree and the town of Cave Creek...sets us up for this opportunity," Cooney said.
Max Anderson, the transit system's executive director, said the organization has letters of support from about 60 local businesses and has evaluated vehicle and operational options. He described a funding approach that relies on a combination of (1) a state‑or federal pilot grant pursued through an ADOT intergovernmental agreement (IGA) or similar mechanism, (2) private fundraising and sponsorships, (3) in‑kind municipal support such as vehicle storage, and (4) advertising revenue sold on vehicle windows and at stop locations. "We would like to minimize the financial impact to each town and leverage regional benefit," Anderson said.
Council members pressed for more detail on the funding and implementation. One councilmember asked whether a nonprofit can sign the ADOT IGA; staff and council cautioned that ADOT typically requires a municipality or a title 48 transit authority to be a signatory and said they would review the IGA language before any commitment. Councilmember Dusty asked for operating‑cost estimates and maintenance projections; the transit team said updated numbers show roughly $165,000 per year to operate the two‑vehicle system, including driver costs, though they expect to phase toward self‑sufficiency from ad revenue.
Council and staff described the presentation as an inquiry about interest rather than a request for immediate approval. Town staff asked the council for a directional "nod" to continue working with the transit group and to have staff prepare any necessary implementation documents, including an IGA and grant application materials. Several councilmembers signaled interest but said additional detail would be needed on the ADOT role, insurance and long‑term revenue assumptions before formal action.
Next steps: staff will work with Desert Foothills Transit to clarify the ADOT IGA, refine operating and maintenance cost estimates, and return to council with implementation tools and funding options if the grant application progresses.
