Bus Service
Bus service in Tempe is second to none in the Phoenix metropolitan area, with service 365 days a year, and 15-minute peak-period service from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Most routes run until 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 p.m. Sunday.

Tempe provides bus service on all major arterial streets with 22 routes throughout the city. Buses in Tempe connect with routes in Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale and Phoenix. All of Tempe’s buses are wheelchair accessible and have bicycle racks accommodating two bicycles. Commuters can also take advantage of four free shuttles connecting the ASU campus, downtown Tempe, and neighborhoods.

Bicycling
Commuting by bicycle in Tempe is convenient and economical, with more than 150 miles of bikeways throughout Tempe. More than 3.5 percent of Tempe residents use a bicycle to get to work, and most major destinations in Tempe have bicycle parking.

Each October, Tempe celebrates bicycling by sponsoring its annual Tour de Tempe bike ride, a free leisurely community ride highlighting 12 miles of bikeways, public art projects and historic neighborhoods. In 2003, approximately 1,500 Valley residents participated in the Tour de Tempe.

In 2003, Tempe was one of 14 cities across the United States to be designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

Walking
To encourage walking as an environmentally friendly means of transportation, Tempe sponsors an annual Walk to School Day event. In conjunction with local elementary schools, Tempe provides free breakfast for all students and parents and donates a tree to each participating school. Last year, 20 elementary schools with 8,000 participants enjoyed the event. This joint venture illustrates Tempe’s dedication to promoting cleaner air and creating a pedestrian-friendly environment.
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Light Rail
Tempe is one of three cities involved in Arizona’s first light rail line, scheduled to open in late 2006. The 20-mile line will connect Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, including 5.5 miles through the heart of Tempe, serving employment, activity and cultural centers, downtown Tempe, ASU and Apache Boulevard.

The project will include a new light rail bridge over the Tempe Town Lake, featuring artist designed lighting and other art elements. Each of Tempe’s nine stations will incorporate a variety of art elements reflecting the unique characteristics and history of the community. One of the stations will be part of a new downtown Tempe transit center, which will provide connections between light rail and more than a dozen bus routes, as well as passenger amenities, ticketing and bicycle parking for regional passengers, ASU students, downtown visitors and employees. Please visit Valley Metro for more information.