Earth (Tempe Transit Center – North Tempe – Tempe Marketplace)

For our preliminary route review, called a “Transit Check,” let’s start with a route I know: Tempe ORBIT Earth. I have ridden this route several times, even completing it twice in two versions. But the review finally came when I returned from Tempe Marketplace one night. Entering with two fellow riders, my bus soon left the shopping center to go north on McClintock Drive.

This route fantastically circulates within Tempe neighborhoods north of the Town Lake/Salt River (Rio Salado). Upon reaching Curry Road, we turned left until we turned right onto Miller Road. Despite being prominent along Miller, nobody took advantage of the neighborhood request zones when traversing them. We eventually gave up on the meandering by turning left onto Valerie Drive, where a rider found his destination.

Then, upon approaching Cecil Shamley School, we encountered a minor bump in the road: a drainage curvature. Turning right onto Bridalwreath Street, we served the North Tempe Multigenerational Center. Soon after that, we turned onto Scottsdale Road via Marigold Lane and Lilac Drive.

Going north, Local Route 72 interlined with us until Continental Drive. On the border with Scottsdale, transfers were available on this drive to the 68th St & Camelback Trolley, but it wasn’t running at that time (service ended at 7 PM). Upon reaching College Avenue, the bus chose to turn left to stay loyal to Tempe’s northern neighborhoods.

Afterward, we were routed east along McKellips Road to return to Scottsdale Road. Although it seemed like a straight shot to Arizona State University (ASU), we turned right at Weber Drive to serve more communities along that road and College Avenue.

After parting with College Avenue for good, we used Curry Road a second time to return to Scottsdale Road. Finally, on our way to ASU, it became Rural Road at Rio Salado Parkway across the Tempe Town Lake (Salt River). But, the announcement system designated this name change at the Gilbert Drive stop before the Comfort Inn for some reason. Nevertheless, we swung at Rio Salado Parkway to interface with the Tempe Streetcar while serving Marina Heights office park.

Rolling onto Mill Avenue, we saw it bustling with its usual claim to fame as the party spot for ASU students. Our cruise was cut short by the need to terminate at Tempe Transit Center (Tempe TC) through Fifth Street and past the upside-down triangle that’s Tempe City Hall. Whew, that was a fun tour of North Tempe. Until next time!

Route: Circulator Earth (Tempe Transit Center – North Tempe – Tempe Marketplace)

Ridership

On my trip, the most we had was five people, which is just about a quarter of what a shorter Orbit bus can fit. Overall, the Earth route is in 5th place in ridership out of all Orbits since it serves much less of Arizona State University (Valley Metro, 2023)

Pros

On Weekdays and Saturdays, buses on this route come every 15 minutes, a step up from many other Valley Metro lines. This strength enables riders to not worry about memorizing a schedule, a lifesaver during the brutal heat of Phoenix summers.
Plus, while I prefer paying for quality transit, all Tempe Orbit circulators are free to ride, helping to remove a barrier to moving around freely.

Cons

On Sundays, the frequency drops to every 30 minutes, like a typical Valley Metro bus route (and one in the US)—please plan carefully!
The line’s path makes it the scenic route between Tempe Marketplace and downtown Tempe + ASU. Folks who want a faster trip or are traveling outside Orbit’s operating hours should consider paying to ride either the 48 or the 62.

Special Spots

Tempe Marketplace is the go-to “mall” for ASU students, but it’s just your typical Arizona outdoor mall.
Arizona Heritage Center, served by College Ave & Weber Drive, is a neat museum worth visiting.
You also have the acclaimed Mill Avenue at your disposal, although the part north of 5th Street is only covered here.

Rating: B+

While not the fastest way around, the Earth is a solid route that covers almost all of Tempe north of the Town Lake (Salt River). That is even though it receives fewer riders than the other Orbit routes.