The Real Costs of Bringing Back Fares
With budget season underway, restoring transit fares is likely to return to the city's agenda. But doing so without careful analysis could actually cost more than it brings in, reduce ridership, limit mobility for thousands of residents, and even undermine the transit system itself. Suzanne Schafer of Zero Fares Tucson and longtime transit advocate joins the conversation to examine the economic, ridership, and system-level implications of bringing fares back.
|
|
Ways to Show Up
The Transit for All Coalition is organizing to ensure Tucson leaders hear directly from the community. Here are key opportunities to take action:
• Tonight: Gather at 5:00 pm for Mayor and Council (meeting starts at 5:30 pm) – 255 W. Alameda St.
• Save the dates: Mayor and Council meetings on April 7 and April 21
• Sign on to the letter campaign or contact City of Tucson and Pima County elected officials to share why fare-free transit matters
• Get involved: Email transitforalltucson@gmail.com
• Attend a Tucson Transit Advisory Committee meeting or apply to serve
|
|
Welcome Joshua Polacheck to LSA's Board of Directors
This month, we're delighted to welcome Tucson's Joshua Polacheck onto our Board of Directors. As well as being an active member of LSA's Advocacy Committee, Joshua has served as Executive Director of the Pima County Democratic Party and vice-chair of the Arizona Democratic Party in 2025. Welcome, Joshua!
|
|
|
|
Photo by Justin Risley
|
|
Cyclovia Volunteer Shifts Available
|
|
|
The Open Streets movement needs you! Cyclovia is quickly approaching and there's still opportunities to volunteer for a half-day shift, leaving time to enjoy the event as a participant along with the many perks of being a volunteer. There are shifts available for individuals, pairs and groups! However you participate as a volunteer, enjoy a thank you voucher and Cyclovia swag while being an integral part of this Spring's event!
|
|
Support LSA This Arizona Gives Day!
|
|
|
Tuesday, April 7th is Arizona Gives Day! We can’t wait to celebrate our accomplishments and gear up for the road ahead with our supporters—but we’re not waiting until then.
Starting this month, we’re kicking off our AZ Gives Day Fundraiser with a goal of $20,000. Thanks to a generous pledge, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar—doubling your impact!
|
|
LSA Volunteer Night
Thursday, March 26, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Living Streets Alliance
439 N 6th Ave #201, Tucson, AZ, 85705
Join us for our monthly Volunteer Night: Cyclovia Mode! Meet new folks, check out our downtown office, chip in on some light event prep and enjoy snacks, refreshments and good vibes! RSVP Here
|
|
|
Mobile Bike Repair
The following Mobile Bike Repair clinics are scheduled in partnership with area schools. If your family attends one of these schools, make sure to contact the front office to reserve your slot! We'll provide basic bicycle maintenance and youth bicycle helmets for FREE. Made possible by the City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility.
Thursday, March 26, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Prince Elementary School
125 E Prince Road, Tucson, AZ, 85705
Friday, March 27, 4:30 - 7:00 PM
Pueblo Gardens PreK-8 School
2210 E 33rd Street, Tucson, AZ, 85713
Wednesday, April 15, 3:00 - 5:30 PM
Southwest Family Resource Center
6899-6601 South Mark Road, Tucson, AZ, 85757
|
|
|
Pre-Cyclovia Neighborhood Clean-Up Day
Saturday, April 4, 8:00 - 11:00 AM
Sugar Hill Neighborhood
Doris J Thompson Park
2000 N 4th Avenue, Tucson, AZ, 85705
Amphi Neighborhood
Building Bridges Community Center
3355 N Fontana Ave, Tucson, AZ
Two locations, same day! Neighbors, friends and community members will tend to the Sugar Hill and Amphi neighborhoods leading up to this Spring's Cyclovia. Connect, lend a hand, and build community while helping make our public spaces welcoming for everyone. We will have snack, beverages, basic bicycle maintenance and youth bicycle helmets for FREE!
|
|
|
AZ Gives Day Happy Hour
Tuesday, April 7, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Westbound
267 South Avenida del Convento #12, Tucson, AZ 85745
We hope you'll join us on April 7th for Arizona Gives Day Happy Hour at Westbound in the MSA Annex. Celebrate LSA's wins and help us lay the ground for the work ahead! We'll have refreshments, activities for kids, door prizes, and more.
|
|
|
Cyclovia Tucson Spring 2026
Sunday, April 12, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Downtown - Amphi
Mark your calendars for our 24th Cyclovia event on Sunday, April 12th. We can't wait to celebrate our streets with you!
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Kathleen Dreier Photography
|
|
|
Celebrate National Bike Month with Pima County!
Pima County’s Departments of Environmental Quality and Health are thrilled to celebrate Bike Month with the launch of Bike Month BINGO. This interactive, community-wide event invites cyclists of all skill levels to discover new routes, participate in promoting clean air for all, enjoy the physical benefits of biking, advocate for safe streets for everyone, and win exciting prizes. Throughout March, residents are encouraged to play Bike Month BINGO by completing a variety of fun, safe, and engaging challenges. Find more information on this month's activities and download the Bike Month BINGO card below!
|
|
|
Bugs, Bats & Bebidas Festival at Las Milpitas
Don't miss this interactive, educational celebration of the desert's pollinators on Saturday, March 28th from 5 - 9 PM. LSA will be there with free bike valet: that's right, we'll watch your bike while you meet gardeners, enjoy local food and drinks, and interact with all things bees, bugs and bats!
|
|
Help Shape A Low-Stress Tucson Bike Map
Want to share some of the chill bike routes you've found in Tucson? Interested in making biking possible for people of all ages and abilities? With over 25 cities participating, community organizing platform Bike Streets crowdsources local knowledge and experience to create low-stress bike maps around the country. Download their app to view maps in other cities and help build a Low-Stress Bike Map for Tucson!
|
|
Article: A neighborhood union uses community-led organizing to build safety and leadership with Amphi women and girls
The grassroots Amphi Women and Girls Union, AWGU, makes meaningful changes in their neighborhood through empowerment and education. LSA is working with AWGU to help shape the northern hub of the Spring Cyclovia route, which will showcase the art, dance and music of beautiful Amphi. AZ Luminaria reports.
|
|
Article: New APTA report highlights economic benefits of public transit ahead of surface transportation reauthorization process
An economic survey by the American Public Transportation Authority, APTA, finds that every $1 billion invested in public transit sees returns of $5 billion in economic growth, with over $3 billion in jobs. APTA is using the data to urge Congress to maintain funding for public transit and passenger rail.
|
|
Video: Buenos Aires Will Challenge Everything You Think You Know About Buses
What does it look like when transit is built around rider needs and evolved from collective systems? Bus-rapid transit, decorated in local art and hyper-efficient, and an extensive subway system serve as a main form of transportation in the Argentinian city.
|
|
|
Pima County Department of Environmental Quality
|
|
|
Each month we highlight a community partner or supporter who helps make this work possible. This month, we're proud to shout out our longtime collaborator and Cyclovia sponsor Pima County Department of Environmental Quality (PDEQ). PDEQ ensures our county's long-term health and safety through environmental quality monitoring, enforcement, information, and education. This month, in collaboration with Pima County Health Department, they're making health and safety fun in celebration of National Bike Month! You could cruise into April with bike swag or even a new Trek bike by playing PDEQ's Bike Bingo! Check out upcoming rides and download your Bingo Card here. Thank you Pima County!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The mission of Living Streets Alliance is to transform our streets into vibrant, public places that bring people together and provide safe, accessible and attractive transportation options.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
