Proposition 479 Transit Decisions

At a glance

What: Chandler's use of Maricopa County Proposition 479 (½-cent sales tax for transportation, approved by voters November 2024, effective January 2026-December 2045, replacing expiring Proposition 400) to fund and enhance transit services. Three main decision points: (1) Paratransit service area, (2) RideChoice 65+ program eligibility/ADA certification, (3) bus service enhancements.
Where it stands: Council reached consensus on recommendations: maintain citywide Paratransit service; require 65+ RideChoice passengers to pursue ADA certification; leverage regional funds for bus service enhancements (Routes 112, 136 extensions).
Next: Implementation of recommendations; continued partnership with Valley Metro on transit services and mobile ADA assessment option closer to Chandler; staff to gather feedback on implementation approaches.
Watch: Transit access and affordability for seniors and people with disabilities; balance between federal mandates and local service expansion; Waymo integration and acceptance rates among older riders.

Background

Proposition 479:

Maricopa County ½-cent sales tax for transportation.
Approved by voters November 2024.
Effective January 2026 through December 2045 (20 years).
Replaced expiring Proposition 400.
County provides funding programs for transit lifecycle improvements.

Existing transit services in Chandler:

Paratransit

Federally-compliant service for people with disabilities.
Door-to-door service.
Cost to city/region: $75/trip.
Resident fare: $4/trip (federally capped; federal law prohibits cost exceeding $4).
Volume: 25,000 trips/year.
User base: 128 passengers.
Service area: currently citywide. Approximately 6,000 trips/year outside federally-mandated ¾-mile radius of bus routes. Annual cost for trips outside mandated area: ~$500,000. Potential savings if reduced to mandated area: $200,000-$250,000/year.
Users dispersed throughout city; no clustering in assisted living facilities.

RideChoice

Alternative service for people with disabilities and seniors 65+.
Does NOT meet federal ADA requirements (alternative to Paratransit, not compliant).
Citywide service; private rides (not shared like Paratransit).
Cost to city: $33/trip (cost effective, lower than Paratransit when shared rides considered).
Resident fare: $3/trip.
Volume: ~48,000 trips/year (50,000 trips/year after recent growth).
User base: 200 residents in 65+ program (155 active users); growing ~100 new 65+ users/year.
Cost to city: $340,000/year and growing ($31/trip × 11,000 annual 65+ trips, 155 active users, 29 high-frequency users [100+ trips/year], 100+ new users/year).

Chandler Flex Microtransit

Launched with state grant covering operational costs first two years.
Now receiving federal congressionally directed spending grant (up to 50% cost) and 5310 formula funds for trips for individuals 65+ or with disability.
Cost per trip reduced from ~$27 to under $20/trip after adding Waymo partnership.
Waymo integration: if no Flex services available, passengers offered Waymo ride but must set up Waymo account (not seamless integration).
Waymo acceptance rate: less than 50% among older residents; some hesitant to use.
Ride composition: ~50% shared rides, ~50% single passengers.

Bus service

Existing routes; Routes 112 and 136 proposed for extension to south.
Route 114 south of Frye Road proposed for elimination due to low ridership.
If bus routes extended, federally-mandated Paratransit and RideChoice service area (¾ mile radius of bus routes) expands.

Decision 1: Paratransit Service Area

Options considered:

Option A (Staff recommendation): Maintain citywide Paratransit service. Cons: city does not realize $200,000-$250,000/year savings; city does not align with most of region. Pros: residents maintain door-to-door service benefits; residents still have option to use RideChoice; important for individuals with different cognitive abilities needing door-to-door service.
Option B: Reduce to federally-mandated ¾-mile radius of bus routes. Saves $200,000-$250,000/year. Questions: capacity of RideChoice, acceptability to affected riders, adequacy of alternatives (Chandler Flex, other options).

Council discussion:

Councilmember Ellis: advocated for keeping citywide Paratransit; highlighted that individuals with cognitive disabilities may require door-to-door service; shared constituent feedback about difficulty booking Paratransit (recently improved with new contractor/software); praised Paratransit app allowing ride tracking and scheduling.
Vice Mayor Encinas: asked about RideChoice capacity to absorb shifted 6,000 rides; raised concerns about type of service (door-to-door vs. private ride).
Councilmember Hawkins: asked about user base (residential vs. assisted living); noted users dispersed.
Councilmember Poston: asked about RideChoice promotion.

Council decision (consensus): Maintain citywide Paratransit service. Pursue educational campaign to encourage RideChoice among eligible riders.

Decision 2: RideChoice 65+ ADA Certification

Current situation:

200 residents in 65+ program (155 active users).
Program participants provided age documentation; eligible participants approved as 'non-ADA' (do not meet federal ADA disability certification).
City responsible for all 'non-ADA' trips under Proposition 479.

Options considered:

Option A (Staff recommendation 2a): Require existing 65+ RideChoice passengers to pursue ADA certification through Valley Metro. If certified, trips paid by regional Proposition 479 funds. If not certified, can continue using program (city pays). Cost savings: $150,000-$200,000 immediately; prevents future cost increases of ~$50,000/year.
Option B (Staff recommendation 2b): Require new RideChoice applicants to meet ADA certification requirements. If certified, program access granted and trips paid by Proposition 479. If not certified, suggested to use other options: Chandler Flex, bus, First-Mile/Last-Mile.

ADA Certification Process (Valley Metro):

Applicant submits application online or mail.
Valley Metro verifies disability with applicant's medical provider.
Applicant invited to in-person assessment (can take up to 2.5 weeks for approval).
Currently applicants travel to Phoenix for in-person portion.
Chandler working with Valley Metro on closer mobile assessment option; Valley Metro has hosted successful pop-up assessments in other communities.

Council discussion:

Councilmember Orlando: agreed with accepting existing users and allowing new users to apply for ADA certification.
Councilmember Hawkins: agreed with recommendation and asked for feedback on implementation.
Councilmember Harris: noted Valley Metro provides accommodations for ADA certification; registering captures data for grant funding purposes; highlighted importance of accurate data for future funding.
Vice Mayor Encinas: asked how booking works; clarified that both Paratransit and RideChoice options offered through phone and app.
Mayor Hartke: asked if price per ride could encourage ridership; noted Paratransit fare set at federal level (cannot exceed $4), limiting pricing incentives.

Council decision (consensus): Require existing 65+ RideChoice passengers to pursue ADA certification; require new RideChoice applicants to meet ADA certification requirements. Implementation and approach to be worked out by staff; can be revisited in future to ensure users registered for data and funding purposes.

Decision 3: Bus Service Enhancements

Options considered:

Extend Routes 112 and 136 endpoints to south.
Eliminate Route 114 service south of Frye Road due to low ridership.
Leverage estimated $1.9M in unprogrammed regional Proposition 479 bus funds.

Process for changes:

Standard Valley Metro approval process.
Changes to bus routes trigger expansion of Paratransit/RideChoice service area (¾ mile radius of bus routes).

Council discussion:

Mayor Hartke: noted proposal to extend endpoints of routes that may not see as many riders at endpoints; asked about alternate transit options for riders affected by Route 114 elimination.
Councilmember Orlando: asked about Valley Metro approval process.

Not formally decided in consensus, but discussed as option under staff recommendation.

Issues and considerations

Paratransit door-to-door service:

Important for individuals with cognitive disabilities.
Shared rides (multiple passengers on same vehicle).
Not all riders eligible for RideChoice transition; some prefer door-to-door; some require it for disabilities.

RideChoice accessibility:

Private rides (not shared).
$3/trip resident fare ($33 city cost/trip).
Regional pay for many north/west Chandler certified residents (if meeting criteria); southwest Chandler rides paid by city.
Regional funds pay less than city cost, allowing more resources directed to other transit.
Some eligible riders have transitioned to RideChoice; others choose to remain on Paratransit.
Wheelchair access capacity varies; Valley Metro must provide sufficient accessible vehicle options.

Chandler Flex growth and Waymo integration:

Cost efficiency: federal funding covers 50% operational cost; 5310 formula funds cover 65+/disabled user trips.
Waymo acceptance below 50% among older residents; some choose to wait for Flex driver.
Ongoing consideration of integrating Lyft's First Mile, Last Mile program (different service range).

Data and grant funding:

ADA certification captures accurate data for demographic tracking.
Data collection supports future grant funding applications.
Registration important for documenting service needs and utilization.

Status

Ongoing. Recommendations passed on Paratransit and RideChoice ADA certification; staff to implement and gather feedback; Valley Metro partnership continuing; mobile assessment option in development; future Council can revisit implementation approach.

Sources

City Council Work Session minutes, September 14, 2026: https://public.destinyhosted.com/chanddocs/2026/CC/20260914_2413/2409_MINUTES-file0001%20%2811%29.pdf

Log

2026-09-14 - City Council Work Session

Staff presented on Proposition 479 transit lifecycle program, decision points on Paratransit service area, RideChoice 65+ eligibility, and bus service enhancements. Council consensus: maintain citywide Paratransit; require 65+ RideChoice passengers to pursue ADA certification; pursue educational campaign on RideChoice; staff to implement and return with feedback on approach.