Ways to get from here to there

By Blake Smith

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Greyhound bus service and Tucson-Phoenix Shuttle are least expensive ways to get to Phoenix

University of Arizona students anxious to get away for the weekend or begin their journey home for the holidays often make their way to Phoenix.

Phoenix is the hub of America West Airlines, and Southwest Airlines has more departures from Sky Harbor International Airport than any other airport in the nation. The city is also home to representation from every major sport.

It's only about 120 miles to the Valley of the Sun, and there are a variety of ways to get from here to there.

Taking Flight

Delta, America West and United Airlines provide a total of 15 daily flights from Tucson to Phoenix. And while flying from Tucson to Phoenix takes half the driving time, there are some disadvantages to taking flight.

A major disadvantage of flying to Phoenix is cost. The lowest fare currently offered by the major airlines is $208 round trip.

Some people may consider that a deal until they realize that $20 can be saved when flying from Fort Huachuca, 70 miles southeast of Tucson, to Phoenix.

Another disadvantage to air travel is the wasted time going to and leaving from the airports.

"It doesn't save you anytime almost," said chemical engineering senior Elisabeth Brors.

Brors added that by the time you check in and wait for the plane to takeoff, nearly no time is saved.

"Sometimes the planes are late, too," Brors said.

The UA student said she has been delayed for many hours before when she flew from Tucson to Phoenix.

Viki Matthews of the Tucson Airport Authority said there are a few advantages to air travel.

Matthews said Tucson International Airport does not have the high parking fees of Sky Harbor Airport, and it is more convenient to leave out of Tucson for shorter flights.

According to the travel Web site Travelocity.com, prices for flights from Tucson and Phoenix to destinations like Albuquerque, N.M; Los Angeles and San Diego are the same.

While Sky Harbor Airport has nearly 10 times as many daily flights as Tucson International, the local airport is planning a massive expansion over the next couple of years.

More than $20 million dollars will be spent on construction of an 18,000 square foot rental car facility and 82,000 square foot expansion of the baggage claim area, Matthews said. Improved roadways will also be part of the project.

Plans are also in the works to expand the two terminals and add more gates to allow expanded service to the Tucson market.

Going Greyhound

Students can also get from Tucson to Phoenix by Greyhound buses.

Greyhound Lines, Inc. provides nine daily trips from the Tucson to Sky Harbor Airport. At a cost of $25 round trip, taking the bus is about the same rate as taking area shuttles.

But there are drawbacks to taking the Greyhound.

"It stops in tons of places," said desert botany sophomore Thomas Peterson. "It's really cheap though."

The Tucson Greyhound bus station is located downtown, which may present a problem for UA students because they have to find transportation to the bus station.

Two shuttle services provide transportation from the campus area to Sky Harbor Airport. The Tucson/Phoenix Shuttle and Arizona Shuttle provide rides nearly every hour from Tucson.

"We make it very convenient for the students at the university," said Char Townsley, Arizona Shuttle corporate office coordinator.

For less than $30 round trip, the shuttles could be the most economical deal.

"The savings are what people need," Townsley added.

Arizona Shuttle has brand new luxury vans, complete with televisions and videocassette recorders.

The two shuttle services provide rides from the Texaco at North Park Avenue and East Sixth Street and the Circle K at East Sixth Street and North Cherry Avenue.

"It is most convenient unless you have a car," Brors said.

Townsley said Arizona Shuttle continues to grow even with increased competition from the Tucson/Phoenix Shuttle and other methods of travel.

Tucson/Phoenix Shuttle costs students $25 round trip, Arizona Shuttle charges $28.

"We're seeing phenomenal growth, and we have a substantial share of the market," Townsley added.