In Chandler, Arizona, residents can zip around town without breaking the bank thanks to Chandler Flex, the city's on-demand shared ride service. Operating since two years ago, this affordable alternative to taxis and public buses has provided over 60,000 rides, with popular stops including local high schools, shopping centers, and medical facilities. Putting a stamp of approval on the city's innovation, riders have rated the service a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5 stars. City of Chandler officials reported a flood of requests for expansion, suggesting that residents can't get enough of the Flex life.
Chandler's City Council isn't about to let a good thing roll to a stop. They've recently greenlighted a one-year extension of the gig with River North Transit, backed by a mix of general funds and cash from the Arizona Lottery Funds - your scratch-off dollars at work. And, thanks to a cool million from federal funds earmarked for city projects just like this, Chandler Flex will keep cruising the streets at least until mid-2025. Demand for the service could put that extension on repeat.
So how does one catch a ride with Chandler Flex? From the early bird's 5:30 a.m. start to the night owl's 9 p.m. cut-off, Monday through Friday, you're just an app tap or a phone call away from your ride. The service casts a net from Chandler Boulevard all the way to Chandler Heights Road, and from Price Road to Arizona Avenue, with dedicated detours to drop you at the hottest spots in town.
If you've got $2, you've got a ticket to ride – or just $1 if you're a senior or someone with disabilities. Kids heading to school don't even need to pony up a dime. The deal is you book your ride, hoof it to a "virtual bus stop" that's just a stone’s throw away, and hop into the waiting van. Easy, right? If you need to get around Chandler and dodge the hassle of traditional transport, give Chandler Flex a buzz at 602-932-0291 or download their app, and you're set.
