Transit
Transit services in Scottsdale are provided by Scottsdale's trolley system and Valley Metro.
Scottsdale Trolley System
Want to connect to free transit?
The Scottsdale trolley system is free to ride and connects with Valley Metro's transit system giving you access to the greater Phoenix metro area. Whether you're running errands, shopping, going to one of our premier special events or heading across town, there's a trolley for you. Check out the Scottsdale Trolley page for more information.
Valley Metro Transit
Valley Metro, the Phoenix metro area’s regional public
transit
system, provides bus service to, through and from Scottsdale to and from other Valley communities.
- View bus routes, schedules and maps
- Explore valleywide transit system map
- Plan your bus trip with Valley Metro's trip planner
- Contact Valley Metro for trip planning assistance
602-253-5000, 602-251-2039 (TTY)
Valley Metro bus routes - regional connections:
- Route 17: McDowell
- Route 29: Thomas
- Route 41: Indian School
- Route 50: Camelback
- Route 56: Priest/McDowell
- Route 72: Scottsdale/Rural
- Route 80: Shea Boulevard
- Route 81: Hayden/McClintock
- Route 154: Greenway
- Route 170: Bell Road/Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
- Express Route 514: South Scottsdale to & from Downtown Phoenix
A bus pass-up can ruin your day. Follow these travel tips to help make sure drivers know you're ready to ride:
- Be five minutes early.
- Stay visible and pay attention.
- Signal the approaching bus if you can.
- Don't chase the bus.
For more tips, visit valleymetro.org/bustravel.
In a hurry? Try NextRide.
Valley Metro buses and trains are equipped with GPS technology allowing you to access real-time scheduled arrival times. The NextRide electronic service provides quick access to transit schedule information. All you need is a phone or access to the internet and your STOP# (the five digit number posted on the bus stop sign, shelter or light rail station).
Here’s how it works:
By phone:
Call: 602-253-5000
Say NextRide.
Say or enter the STOP# located at the bus stop or light rail station.
Text: 22966
Enter the STOP# located at the bus stop or light rail station.
Press send, and you will receive the next arrival times for your stop. If the stop serves more than one route, you will receive times for each route.
Standard text messaging rates apply.
By web:
Visit http://trips.valleymetro.org/nextride
Enter the STOP# located at the bus stop or light rail station.
Press GO.
Plan your trip with Valley Metro and Transit apps
Valley Metro's app offers real-time bus and rail tracking, service alerts and step-by-step navigation. For more information, including
links to download the free app, visit Valley Metro's website
. (Valley Metro Plan & Track is replacing the Ridekick app, which will no longer be available after Aug. 31, 2021.)
Transit is a real-time transit app that helps you plan your best
route using public transit, ride share services, biking and walking. For more information, including links to download the free app, visit TransitApp.com
.
Paratransit Services
Scottsdale Cab Connection
Cab Connection is a Scottsdale-funded program offering more flexibility and greater independence for many individuals. The program sends a number of vouchers per month to each participant to help purchase one-way cab trips. (A roundtrip requires two vouchers, and a multi-stop trip requires vouchers for each leg of the trip.)
Cost
The vouchers are subsidized by the city of Scottsdale and pay 80 percent per one-way cab trip, up to a maximum of $10. The participant pays the remainder of the trip cost and any tip.
Eligibility
To apply you must be a Scottsdale resident, age 65 or older, or if under age 65, be certified as disabled through the Valley Metro
Mobility Center. Cab Connection, under special
circumstances, is also available for those individuals with a temporary disability.
More information
For information, applications or to provide comments, please call 480-312-8747 or email us at CabConnectionInfo@scottsdaleaz.gov.
RideChoice
Valley Metro RideChoice provides access to Lyft, Uber, taxis and wheelchair-accessible vehicles for Scottsdale residents who are ADA paratransit certified. Eligible participants can call for a pickup any time, and they are not required to share rides. Participants can take up to 20 trips per month. (Participants who are using the service for work, school or medical appointments may be eligible for more additional trips.)
Cost
RideChoice provides rides up to 8 miles for $3.00. Additional miles cost $2.00 per mile.
Eligibility
RideChoice is available to Scottsdale residents who are certified eligible for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by the Valley
Metro Mobility Center. For
more information on becoming ADA paratransit certified, please visit the Valley Metro ADA Paratransit
Eligibility webpage
or call the Valley Metro
Mobility Center at 602-716-2100.
RideChoice Frequently Asked Questions
Valley Metro Paratransit
Valley Metro Paratransit (formerly known as East Valley Dial-A-Ride) provides two types of door-to-door, shared ride service for seniors and people with disabilities:
ADA
Advanced reservation service with a fixed fee per one-way trip is available to persons who meet the eligibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Non-ADA
Service is available to persons with disabilities or senior citizens age 65 or older Monday through Saturday. The fare for a one-way trip is based on zones traveled. Advanced Reservation trips are encouraged.
Cost
ADA-certified participants pay $4 per one-trip. Cost for non-ADA participants is dependent on how many zones are traveled. Service will accept cash and Dial-A-Ride tickets only. EXACT CHANGE IS REQUIRED. DRIVERS ARE UNABLE TO GIVE CHANGE.
Service Area
In Scottsdale, Valley Metro Paratransit service is provided from Bell Road / CAP Canal / Thunderbird Road on the north to McKellips Road on the south. This service includes service to the cities of Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert.
Eligibility
No certification process is needed to use the non-ADA service, although proof of age or proof of disability may be requested by Valley Metro Paratransit reservations or the driver. A driver's license or other state issued ID card is an acceptable proof of age. A Medicare card or Valley Metro Reduced Fare ID card is acceptable proof of age or disability.
More information
- 602-716-2200 Reservations or general information
- 602-716-2100 Option #2 for ADA Certification
- 602-253-5000 Valley Metro Reduced Fare ID card
- 602-716-2118 TTY service
Reduced Fare Bus Card
Seniors and people with disabilities can ride the bus for a reduced fare. For more information, please call 602-253-5000 or visit Valley Metro
AZRide Info
For information about transportation resources across Arizona, including paratransit services, please visit AZRide Info.
Scottsdale senior transportation discussion
Councilwoman Klapp recently hosted a conversation about transportation options available to Scottsdale seniors on "Perspectives." Click the video below to view.
Scottsdale's Civil Rights Program - Title VI
The City of Scottsdale, City of Phoenix and Valley Metro operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, national origin or disability in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Notice - Rights under Title VI (PDF)
Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against by transit services in Scottsdale, and believes the discrimination was based upon race, color or
national origin may file a formal complaint with Valley Metro Customer Service. For more information on how to file a
complaint, please visit Valley Metro's Civil Rights and
Title VI Protection page.
Valley Metro Online Title VI
Complaint Form
Printable Title VI Complaint Form
Traveling with a Service Animal on Buses & Trolleys
In accordance with the requirements set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a “service animal” is defined as any dog or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a qualified individual with a disability, including psychiatric, cognitive or mental disabilities.
Individuals traveling with service animals are welcome on regional buses and trolleys. Keep in mind an employee may ask the following questions to verify that an animal traveling with a transit passenger is a service animal:
- “Is your animal a service animal?”
- “What task is your service animal trained to perform?”
For more information on service animals, visit
Valley Metro's website
Requesting Reasonable Modifications
A reasonable modification is a change in Valley Metro’s service policies and practices in circumstances where established practices may prevent individuals with disabilities from accessing and participating fully in Valley Metro’s programs, services and facilities.
Contact Information
City of Scottsdale - Transportation
7447 E. Indian School Rd., Suite 205
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
P: 480-312-7250
TDD: 480-312-5419
F: 480-312-4000
Traffic Engineering
P: 480-312-7250
Street Operations
P: 480-312-5620
Traffic Management Center
P: 480-312-7777 (6 a.m. - 6 p.m. weekdays)
scottsdaletmc@scottsdaleaz.gov
Active Transportation Map
Scottsdale’s Active Transportation Map showcases the city’s trails and bikeways. The waterproof, tear-proof map can be found at Scottsdale libraries, bike shops and community centers, or it can also be delivered to your home for free. Contact Jessica Baux at jbaux@scottsdaleaz.gov or 480-312-1770 to order your copy now.
New! Download a geo-referenced pdf map compatible with the Avenza Maps App.