SunLine Transit Agency wants more input from Indio residents on survey to overhaul Coachella Valley bus service

SunLine Transit Agency is calling for increased participation from Indio residents in a comprehensive survey designed to overhaul the region’s public transportation network. The “Rides Reimagined” initiative serves as a strategic roadmap for the agency’s next decade of operations.

On Monday, SunLine officials presented the initiative to the Indio Sustainability Commission, framing public transit expansion as an important piece in accomplishing environmental goals. By increasing ridership, the agency aims to decrease total vehicle miles traveled, thereby reducing regional carbon dioxide emissions.

Assistant Transit Planner Anna Dan noted that while SunLine conducts these service reviews every five to six years, the current cycle is particularly vital. Although the last review concluded in 2019, the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic radically altered commuting patterns, rendering much of that data obsolete.

While SunLine has already engaged institutional stakeholders—including municipal governments, school districts, tribal partners, and healthcare providers—participation in Indio remains low. As of Monday, the city had recorded only 109 responses.

“We want to get those numbers up,” Dan said. “We want to hear from as many people as possible.”

The survey presents the trade-offs that come with urban planning. For instance, participants must choose between frequency, where buses arrive more often in high-traffic corridors, and coverage, where buses run less often but reach a wider geographic footprint.

Beyond basic route structure, the survey asks residents to prioritize future investments should additional resources become available. Options presented to the public include infrastructure improvements like enhanced bus stops featuring shade structures and amenities, as well as expanded hours for weekends, early mornings, or late evenings.

Residents can also weigh in on efficiency measures, such as express routes that offer faster trips with fewer stops, or accessibility goals like adding new stops in currently underserved neighborhoods.

The outreach effort aims to bridge the gap between current users and choice riders—those who have vehicles but might switch to transit if it were more convenient.

“Generally in the valley, our rider demographics have remained consistent,” Dan said. “But we also want to reach those who aren’t currently riding so we can tailor the system to their destinations, whether for work, shopping, or recreation.”

To boost engagement, SunLine is doing presentations at the Indio Rotary Club, visiting the Indio Senior Center, and posting QR-coded flyers at major transit hubs. To incentivize participation, the agency is entering respondents into a drawing for one of three $50 gift cards.

This yearlong data-collection phase will culminate in a blueprint report. This document will dictate SunLine’s service adjustments and resource allocation for the next five to 10 years.

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Learn more about the survey on SunLine’s website and take the survey online here.

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