COMMUNITY
HISTORY OF THE MET
A $1 lifeline Meet the MET riders who rely on city public transportation BY MONICA D. SPENCER
MARCUS POTENCIANO, 33 TORTOSA
2008: Maricopa Express Transit launches as a regional service connecting Maricopa to the Phoenix metropolitan area.
How long have you been riding MET? Maybe about four years now.
Why do you use it? I don’t have a vehicle. I don’t always have a ride to get to places, so it definitely comes in handy. I used to live in California, and it was a lot different. I didn’t need a car over there because public transportation was everywhere. But since coming over here, it’s like, dang, there’s nothing [for public transportation.] That would make it a lot easier, but this comes in handy. For a dollar, you can’t beat that. It’s cheaper than the public transportation in California or even Phoenix. I like it. Where are you headed? I’m gonna go to a data center to pick up my computer and get water in the process. That’s it, then I’m heading home.
2010: The city introduces the COMET (City of Maricopa Express
AUNCHED IN 2008, MARICOPA Express Transit offers low- cost rides within city limits. It’s a welcome option for residents who don’t have access to reliable transportation. “We want to make sure that we’re serving people the best that we can,” said Transit and Operations Supervisor Toni Flood. “The fixed route is free and the dial-a-ride is $1, so the affordability is important.” Flood said MET riders come from a wide background, but they often serve people who cannot drive or do not have a working vehicle. “I think it’s very important for people to be able to get to work and doctor appointments. There are some people who are by themselves and don’t have anyone to take them to the doctor,” she added. That included one Lakes resident who did not want to be identified. She said her insurance canceled medical transportation services several months after she suffered a stroke last year. That’s when she started relying on MET’s dial-a-ride for trips to appointments, the gym and other locations around the city. “It’s been wonderful. I like the scheduling aspect and that you can get picked up from your house,” she said. From workers commuting to and from their jobs to seniors heading to medical appointments, MET has become both a convenience and a lifeline for residents without reliable transportation. Here’s what some riders shared about their MET experiences one Thursday afternoon late this summer. Some answers have been lightly edited for readability. L
MYRA WRIGHT, 29 HERITAGE DISTRICT
Transit) service, which includes two circulator routes within Maricopa. 2015: COMET expands to include 11 high-demand bus stops. 2020: The service is rebranded as MET to reflect its broader mission and services.
How long have you been using MET?
Back in the spring, I started taking MET after my car broke down. I was working as a teacher’s aide, so a friend was giving me rides back and forth for a while. I live right behind Marshalls, and it’s just too far to walk. It’s two hours each way. Even the bus route only goes as far as the library, so I’d have to walk an hour from my house just to catch it. A Lyft is $15 to $20 one way, so for me, a $1 MET ride is the only real option. I wish I could tip more, but I tell everyone I know about it. I’ve gotten friends to try it, too. How often do you ride? Four days a week right now. I try to book both ways, but if I
can’t get a return ride, I’ll call family or friends. I wish there were more availability. I would ride a bicycle, but the roads don’t all have sidewalks, so you’d be riding long stretches of dirt next to traffic. Drivers aren’t always paying attention. It’s not safe.
FRANK AGUILAR, 34 SORRENTO
Is this your first time riding the MET? Yes. My grandmother told me about MET, and I wanted to see how it works.
Why are you riding today? Just to see how it is. I’m heading to Copper Sky. How’s the process been? Pretty cool so far. I like that you can book online.
InMaricopa.com | November 2025
November 2025 | InMaricopa.com
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