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2026-09-14 - City Council Work Session

Summary

Built from the official minutes.

  • Work session 4:30 PM; six members present (Councilmember OD Harris attending virtually), Mayor Hartke presiding.
  • Proposition 479 Transit Decisions: city manager and transportation staff presented decision points on use of Maricopa County ½-cent sales tax (approved by voters November 2024, effective January 2026-December 2045) to fund/enhance transit services.

Proposition 479 Transit Decisions

Background:

  • Proposition 479 replaced expiring Proposition 400; county funding programs for transit lifecycle improvements.
  • Decision points: Paratransit Service Area (maintain current citywide or reduce to federally-mandated ¾ mile of bus routes), RideChoice Eligibility (65+ program), Bus Service Enhancements, Chandler Flex Expansion.

Existing services:

  • Paratransit: federally-compliant service for people with disabilities, door-to-door, $75/trip local/regional cost, $4/trip resident fare, 25,000 trips/year, 128 passengers (6,000 trips outside mandated area, city cost ~$500K/year for those trips).
  • RideChoice: alternative service for people with disabilities and seniors 65+, citywide, does not meet federal ADA requirements, $33/trip city cost, $3/trip resident fare, 48,000 trips/year, 155 active 65+ users, growing ~100 new 65+ users/year.
  • Chandler Flex microtransit: launched with state grant covering first two years; now receiving federal congressionally directed spending grant (up to 50% cost) and 5310 formula funds for 65+/disabled users. Cost reduced from $27 to under $20/trip after adding Waymo partnership (50% shared rides, 50% single). Waymo acceptance rate less than 50% among older residents.
  • Bus routes: existing service; Routes 112, 136 proposed for extension to south; Route 114 south of Frye Road proposed for elimination due to low ridership.

Recommendations passed:

  1. Paratransit Service Area: Council consensus to maintain citywide Paratransit service (not reduce to federally-mandated area). Cost: city does not realize $200-250K/year savings but residents maintain benefits; city does not align with most of region. Pursued educational campaign to encourage RideChoice among eligible riders.
  2. RideChoice 65+ ADA Certification: Require existing 65+ RideChoice passengers to pursue ADA certification (200 residents, 155 active users); require new RideChoice applicants to meet ADA certification requirements. If certified, trips paid by regional Proposition 479 funds. If not certified, existing users can continue (city pays), new applicants suggested to use Chandler Flex, bus, or First-Mile/Last-Mile programs. Valley Metro certification process: submit application online/mail, medical provider verification, in-person assessment (up to 2.5 weeks approval). Applicants currently travel to Phoenix for in-person portion; Chandler working with Valley Metro on mobile assessment option closer to Chandler. Council consensus: accept existing users and allow new users to apply for ADA certification.
  3. Bus Service Enhancements: leverage regional Proposition 479 funds; extend Routes 112 and 136 endpoints to south; estimated unprogrammed regional bus funds $1.9M.

Positions on Paratransit:

  • Councilmember Ellis: advocated for keeping Paratransit for individuals with different cognitive abilities who may need door-to-door service; shared constituent feedback about difficulty booking Paratransit by phone (recently improved with new contractor).
  • Councilmember Orlando: asked about federal mandates, cost effectiveness, rider data.
  • Vice Mayor Encinas: asked about capacity for RideChoice to handle shifted rides, public engagement.
  • Councilmember Hawkins: asked about user base location distribution (dispersed, not clustered in assisted living facilities).
  • Councilmember Poston: asked about RideChoice promotion.

Sources