Politics

SB 1567 Revises Pima County Transit Funding with Direct Changes for Tucson Bus Riders

The state measure adjusts how transportation dollars reach Sun Tran, altering service schedules and costs for residents who commute on Tucson routes.

By Tucson Policy Desk · Published July 8, 2026

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SB 1567 Revises Pima County Transit Funding with Direct Changes for Tucson Bus Riders — Photo by bill85704 / flickr (by)

The Arizona Legislature enacted SB 1567 in June, which alters the allocation formula for state highway user revenue funds directed to Pima County transit operators. The change takes effect with the 2027 fiscal year and covers Sun Tran operations serving Tucson neighborhoods.

State budget documents show the adjustment responds to updated ridership reports filed by the Pima Association of Governments. Those reports document daily boardings on Sun Tran lines that connect downtown Tucson to the University of Arizona campus and to industrial parks along the southern city limits.

Daily Effects for Tucson Households

Residents who board buses on routes such as the 6, 8 and 12 will encounter revised timetables once the new funding cycle begins. The legislation states that operators must apply a portion of the added resources to evening and weekend frequencies on corridors where current headways exceed 20 minutes during peak periods.

Local advocates note that households without personal vehicles, particularly those in the 85713 and 85714 zip codes, stand to gain shorter transfer times at the Ronstadt Transit Center. The government says the policy will require Sun Tran to publish updated route maps by March 2027 so riders can plan work and medical trips accordingly.

Budget Figures and Implementation Timeline

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation allocation tables attached to SB 1567, Pima County receives an incremental share calculated from its reported 2025 ridership total of 14.8 million boardings. U.S. Census Bureau figures list 231,000 occupied housing units in Tucson, providing the denominator used in the per-capita distribution step of the formula.

County officials must submit quarterly compliance reports beginning October 2027. The first disbursement under the revised formula is scheduled for July 2027, after which Sun Tran will adjust driver schedules and vehicle assignments on the affected lines.

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