11/5/2009 12:43:00 PM Verde Lynx bus between Cottonwood, Sedona starts Monday
VERDE VALLEY -- For many in the Verde Valley, especially commuters, the arrival of a regular Cottonwood-to-Sedona bus system is a dream come true.
It hits the road Monday, thanks to a stimulus grant.
Supervisor Chip Davis has long dreamed of a transit service that circulates around the entire Verde Valley, from Cottonwood to Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek, Rimrock and Camp Verde. Beginning Monday, an important first piece of that puzzle will bring independent bus services in Cottonwood and Sedona.
The Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority (NAIPTA) announced the Verde Lynx, a daily bus service between the two cities.
Verde Lynx will operate eight roundtrips every day, Monday through Saturday, with three round trips on Sunday. Service begins as early as 6 a.m. weekdays and continues until 7 p.m.
Jeff Meilbeck, general manager of NAIPTA, calls the new Verde Lynx a "foundation piece for public transportation. It is the first and most robust system in Northern Arizona. It connects two definite markets, both residential and retail to each other."
Meilbeck emphasized, "There has been an increasing demand for public transit between Cottonwood and Sedona. We are confident that Verde Lynx provides the frequency, affordability and dependability that will open opportunities in both communities."
The early and regular hours are important in providing an easy access to allow for shopping in both cities without fighting car traffic and to make sure that workers make job schedules. Route times are partly based a survey the Sedona Chamber of Commerce conducted of hotel and restaurant workers.
Bike racks also make the connector service ideal for recreationists. The Lynx also provides stops in West Sedona for the first time as well.
Purchased with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Verde Lynx buses are 25‐seat low floor buses that are comfortable and accessible.
The buses are equipped with full air‐ride suspension and "theater seating," bike racks, and a wheelchair ramp to allow easy loading and unloading through a 42‐inch electric door.
Riders can connect to Verde Lynx from Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Verde Village via Cottonwood Area Transit (CAT) and in Sedona, via the RoadRunner free shuttle.
Free Park & Ride facilities are also provided at Garrison Park in Cottonwood and at the Sedona Municipal Parking Lot in Uptown Sedona.
Fares for Verde Lynx service start at $2 for each one‐way trip, but a package discount is available for the regular user at $40 for unlimited rides per month.
Shirley Scott, manager of Cottonwood's CAT system, expects the new link will boost traffic on both the Cottonwood and Sedona routes.
"Verde Lynx will benefit residents of both communities as it will make commuting for employment as well as recreational trips between the two communities easier than ever," said Meilbeck. "We are particularly pleased to begin the service in November, so that people will be able to take advantage of Verde Lynx during the holiday season."
For details about Verde Lynx, including route maps, schedules and fare information, visit verdelynx.az.gov or call 928‐282‐0938.
A complete schedule is available at verdelynx.az.gov.
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009
Article comment by:
saving cash
This looks like a dream for commuters to Sedona for work or shopping.
Great job folks.
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009
Article comment by:
JR Hatcher
The new Verde Lynx bus transit to Sedona will be a great asset to both Cottonwood and Sedona. However, a quick inspection of the route stops makes it appear as though it was designed for Cottonwood residents to go shopping in Sedona, not to use public transit to work in Sedona. The only two places to catch the bus to Sedona for work are near oldtown and do not service the majority of the Cottonwood population. The fact is far more residents in Cottonwood work in Sedona than visa versa. Cottonwood people do not go "shopping" in Sedona on a bus! The northbound route to Sedona should go out 89A and certainly at least have a stop at the juncture of Rte. 260 to accommodate the hundreds of Cottonwood residents who commute to Sedona for work.
