Before familiarizing myself with Phoenix, I landed in Arizona’s southwestern corner: Yuma, Arizona. The transit agency here goes by YCAT, or Yuma County Area Transit. Their Silver 9 route runs between AZ Western College’s (AWC) main campus and its San Luis, AZ center, skipping central Yuma. The catch? You have only four northbound trips in the morning and afternoon. Then, the two southbound runs only happen in the afternoon.

We chose the 5:15 PM trip due to the heat, leaving AWC’s Main Campus right on time. Our chariot was a minibus with comfortable seats and seat belts. Four other people boarded with us, bringing the capacity to half-full. 

Along 24th St, we were flanked by a couple of schools on the right and residential to the left. Our minibus then turned left onto Araby Road. That became Arizona State Route 195 after the two roundabouts with Interstate 8. 

It would seem that we would take 195 all the way to San Luis. But, we couldn’t forget to serve Somerton and Gadsden. So, we left at County 14th St and breezed past many fields. That was a showcase of one of Yuma’s strengths: agriculture. 

We then joined US Highway 95 after around 20 minutes, joining up with the 6A and the 95. However, the “rapidness” continued as we skipped past Cocopah Casino. 

For the sake of better pedestrian safety, we slowed down after seeing the first sign for Somerton. However, improving the pedestrian experience would be better. This includes implementing a raised roadway at the same level as the curb.

We picked up speed again after dropping someone off on the main street. We then slowed down again when the San Luis Walmart greeted us in its city.  Compared to the 95, we headed straight after that, turning left onto Cesar Chavez Boulevard. But we had to take the center turn lane onto it due to a traffic backup. 

Upon turning left and sighting Joe Orduno Park, three people exited. They were followed by another one at the next stop, then one more at a mural.

Now, this is the regular southbound terminus if no one requests to go further. But it “branches” into two. One goes to AWC’s San Luis Center. The other one ends in a suburban neighborhood mere miles from the border with Mexico. Because we requested to exit at the latter, we didn’t go to the former. 

Someone got off at the turnoff to Avenue F. Finally, we exited at Ave F and Los Olivios Dr. The trouble is that no buses are running the other way at this time of day. The good thing is that our dad was there to pick us up. Thank you, Dad!

Route: YCAT Silver 9 (AWC/NAU/UA <-> [County 14th Street Non-stop] <-> San Luis)

Ridership

With my own eyes, I see it’s used by many people, particularly college students. While this journey only had the minibus half-full. I have seen packed full-sized buses. Ridership trickles down as you reach the southern Yuma County cities. Then, it’s nearly zero at the end (request stop).

Despite what we saw, the statistics tell a different story. Only about 1,700 riders per month, according to agency data. That number places it near the bottom out of all 9 routes. It must have something to do with the infrequent and confusing schedule.

Pros

This route is considerably faster than to taking the 2, then the 95 via downtown Yuma. Thus, it helps link AWC campuses more quickly, effectively making this a college shuttle.

Cons

The schedule itself is inconsistent, with 4 northbound and 2 southbound trips. Going north, 2 of the morning runs originate at AWC’s San Luis Center. The other morning, one begins in the suburban neighborhood. Meanwhile, the sole afternoon trip leaves from AWC’s San Luis Center. Hence, there’s only 1 trip out of Avenue F and Olivios

Also, you would think that it would use SR-195 the whole way, but no. It serves Somerton and Gadsden before going to San Luis.

Special Spots

AWC has a neat little campus in Yuma.

Grade: D

Oh boy, this express route has a lot of potential. It is a reliable, rapid intercity route. Also, it is widely used, especially by college kids. Yet, it has been bogged down by a piecemeal schedule. That would set a tone for the “token” transit that exists in Yuma County.