S Valley Metro Streetcar

The Valley Metro Streetcar (A.K.A. Tempe Streetcar) is a 3-mile modern streetcar system that serves Arizona State University and Downtown Tempe with 14 stations, traveling a C-shaped route from Dorsey Ln & Apache Blvd, up Mill Ave/Ash Ave, then along Rio Salado Pkwy to Marina Heights. The route is currently free for all riders, until the end of 2024, when the standard fare will become $1 and reduced fare will be $0.50.

Existed since: 2022
Operator: Valley Metro
Annual Ridership: 622,208 (FY 2023)
Full Length: 3 miles
Current Full Route: Dorsey Ln/Apache to Marina Heights/Rio Salado
Connecting Routes: RAIL 30 48 62 66 72 EART FLSH JUPI MERC VENU

No vehicle tracking available for this route

Detailed Route Info

All Trips

Northbound

Dorsey Ln/Apache to Marina Heights/Rio Salado (Everyday)

Southbound

Marina Heights/Rio Salado to Dorsey Ln/Apache (Everyday)

Schedule

History

The City of Tempe began studying options for a downtown streetcar in 2007 and plans were continuously revised for years. The final route was decided upon after a proposed route along just Mill Ave was denied federal funding in 2013 after being deemed "not cost-effective enough." This resulted in the route being revised to its current Rio Salado Pkwy, Ash Ave, Mill Ave, and Apache Blvd alignment. Construction began on June 1, 2017, with the first Brookville Liberty streetcar vehicle being delivered on March 14, 2021, and the line opening for service on May 20, 2022.

Future Expansion

Valley Metro is currently studying a potential 4-mile streetcar extension that would travel from the streetcar's current terminus at Marina Heights & Rio Salado Pkwy, along Rio Salado and down Dobson Rd to Dobson Rd & Main St. This extension would bring service to Tempe Marketplace, Sloan Park, Mesa Riverview, and Mesa's Asian District.

Map showing the existing streetcar route from Dorsey and Apache to Marina Heights and Rio Salado, along with the proposed extension along Rio Salado Parkway, down Dobson Road to Main Street — Rio East-Dobson Extension Study Map

Pictures

A bright green and gray streetcar with a darker green and purple stripe, number 182, at Dorsey and Apache station

5/20/2022 - Train 182 at Dorsey Ln/Apache station - Tempe

A bright green and gray streetcar with a darker green and purple stripe, number 180, at Paseo del Saber and Apache station

8/19/2024 - Train 180 traveling eastbound on Apache Blvd at Paseo del Saber/Apache station - Tempe

A bright green and gray streetcar with a darker green and purple stripe, number 183, at Mill Avenue and University Drive

8/27/2024 - Train 183 traveling northbound on Mill Ave at Mill Ave & University Dr - Tempe

A bright green and gray streetcar with a darker green and purple stripe, number 184, at Rural and Apache station

10/14/2024 - Train 184 traveling eastbound on Apache Blvd at Rural/Apache station - Tempe

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