SunLine wants to hear from bus riders — and everyone else, too

For Coachella Valley residents who rely on public transit — and the many more who don’t — SunLine Transit Agency wants to hear from them all.

The agency is conducting a comprehensive review of its bus routes and services, with a public survey open through the end of February. General Manager Mona Babauta brought the initiative to the Palm Springs City Council last week, framing it as an opportunity to reshape the transit system around what valley residents actually need.

“We want to make sure that we are providing service that meets the needs of this valley to the greatest extent possible,” Babauta said.

The effort, branded as “SunLine Rides Reimagined,” goes beyond simply asking current riders what they think. Councilmember Grace Garner put it plainly when she encouraged residents to participate even if they never set foot on a bus.

“Tell us why you’re not a bus rider. How could we make this better, so that maybe one day you can take the bus” Garner said.

SunLine serves a sprawling 1,100-square-mile service area, carrying about 3 million riders per year — the majority of them students — on an annual budget of about $50 million with roughly 350 employees. Babauta said the agency began collecting ridership data last fall, tracking where and when people board and exit buses, and is now pairing that data with direct public feedback through an online survey available in English and Spanish.

So far, Palm Springs residents have responded more than those of any other city in the valley. To reach beyond those with internet access, paper surveys are being distributed at bus stops, senior centers and community events. The Palm Springs Unified School District posted the survey in its parent portal, which reaches more than 22,000 people. Garner also requested paper copies for the city’s navigation center, so that unhoused residents who depend on the system have a chance to weigh in.

From that feedback, the agency plans to develop two service scenarios — one focused on ridership in denser areas with more housing and jobs, and another prioritizing broader geographic coverage. Both will go before the SunLine board and the public for additional input before a final recommendation is made, likely by the end of 2026.

The review is also surfacing longstanding concerns. Several councilmembers raised questions about bus shelters and shade, a pressing issue in a desert climate.

Councilmember Ron deHarte pointed to a stop at Farrell and Chino where riders endure intense summer heat and urged the agency to do more. Babauta said ridership numbers currently guide shelter placement, but she acknowledged the gaps and said she is working to expand coverage even at lower-ridership stops — provided the necessary infrastructure, such as concrete pads and safe sidewalks, is already in place.

Questions also arose about service hours. A SunLine staff member said buses run from about 5 a.m. until close to midnight, with a last departure from Palm Canyon and Stevens at 9:30 p.m. — a schedule that may not serve all workers with late or early shifts.

Looking ahead, Babauta said the agency is in talks with the Palm Springs airport about potential bus service into the airport area and is working with the College of the Desert on transit planning for its new Palm Springs campus, expected to open in 2027. The agency’s route to Cal State San Bernardino, originating in Indio, remains heavily used by students, with multiple buses running daily.

SunLine will mark its 50th anniversary next year. Residents can access the survey and more information at this website.

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