Arizona Shuttle makes tracks in Maricopa

If you are looking to avoid a drive to Sky Harbor International Airport or your place of employment in the greater Phoenix area, look no more.

Arizona Shuttle, which has been in business for 20 years, recently began business to and from the Maricopa area. The company has its corporate headquarters in Tucson, with offices in Phoenix and now Maricopa.

“When the company first began operations, the fleet grew along with the demand from the city of Tucson; that same environment exists today in Maricopa,” Phoenix Operations Manager Bill Poulos said. “We are very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of establishing a safe, reliable and cost effective daily scheduled transportation system for the residents of Maricopa.”

According to Poulos, Maricopa residents can expect a professional, efficient, affordable and integrated system that has the ability to grow with the city.

“We began service with a basic daily commuter and airport schedule on June 25,” Poulos noted. “As we continue to receive more input, requests and information from the residents, we will expand our existing commuter schedule to include dedicated daily commuter service to companies such as Intel, US Airways, Microchip, Countrywide and more. We also plan to include dedicated school runs to Horizon, Mountain Point, Valley Christian, etc.”

Arizona Shuttle has Maricopa information and a destination survey available on www.arizonashuttle.com to help gather as much feedback as possible. “The more information we receive, the better we will be able to serve the city and accommodate the transportation needs of the community,” Poulos added.

Arizona Shuttle ended up using The Stagestop Market Place (44301 W. Maricopa Casa Grande Highway) as the company’s staging ground for service. “The site presented a central location for the city; it also affords us the ability to offer the convenience of a park and ride, as well as office space,” Poulos said. “We can handle 25 to 30 cars at present on a first-come, first-serve basis for parking. It’s also a great location to service Casa Grande from.”

Poulos said the existing times and routes will be increasing in frequency with demand. “Our schedule now is a basic, beginning operating schedule,” Poulos said.

As of now, Arizona Shuttle’s first Monday-Friday run to Chandler and Tempe leaves at 5 a.m., with runs also scheduled for 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. The afternoon runs from Tempe to Maricopa start running at 4 p.m., with trips also slated for 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Chandler departures for Maricopa leave at 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

For trips Monday-Sunday from Maricopa to Sky Harbor/Downtown Phoenix, the shuttle starts leaving at 4 a.m., with departures also scheduled for 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Return trips from Phoenix to Maricopa leave at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Return trips from Sky Harbor to Maricopa leave at 6:15 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

Poulos said the company doesn’t believe there is another such vehicle that can provide the extent and quality of service that Arizona Shuttle provides. “Along with our commuter-dedicated service and airport operations, we also offer affordable connecting service to destinations throughout the state of Arizona in partnership with our consortium companies, along with charter operations for corporations and private functions.”

Poulos sees the shuttle business in the greater Phoenix area continuing to be very competitive.
“As the area continues to grow, more new companies seem to pop up all the time,” Poulos said. “One of Arizona Shuttle’s greatest strengths is the proven 20-year history of safety and quality of service we are proud to bring to Maricopa.”

Photo by Dave Thomas