SunLine Transit unveiled its new Commuter Link 220 service today at Westfield Palm Desert. The line, which begins September 10th, features twice daily round trip service from Palm Desert to Riverside, with other stops en route.
“it’s a pretty great opportunity,” Palm Desert Mayor Bob Spiegel said “I’m so happy to see this happening, because we’ve been waiting for something like this for so long.”
Buses will depart Palm Desert from the bus stop at Town Center Way and Hahn at 4:55 and 5:52 a.m.; arriving at the Riverside Downtown Terminal at 7:19 a.m and 8:19 a.m.
The return trips leave Riverside at 5:19 p.m. and 6:35 p.m., ending at Westfield Palm Desert at 7:34 p.m and 8:50 p.m.
“The public has spoken, and we listened,” SunLine General Manager Mikel Oglesby commented. “This is the start of something really big. It’s not the replacement for rail to and from the valley... it’s a supplement to rail service should it come to fruition.
“Right now, what we can do is get a ride from the valley to Riverside, and if you please, get on the Metrolink to Los Angeles and back.”
Recently the Riverside County Board of Supervisors threw their weight behind a Coachella Valley Association of Governments proposal that would bring d from Indio to Los Angeles.
“Our focus isn’t really on getting to L.A.,” Oglesby said, “But getting to the Pass Area, to Banning and Beaumont. Getting people from Banning and Beaumont here to the Coachella Valley."
The bus route features intermediate stops in Rancho Mirage, Cabazon (at Casino Morongo), Banning, Beaumont, Moreno Valley, UC Riverside and the Riverside Metrolink Station.
Buses on Route 220 will operate weekdays only, with no service on certain holidays. Fares will be $6.00 each way. The coach-type busses feature wi-fi, reclining seating, and luggage and bicycle racks.
Oglesby said that if ridership demands, additional service to Riverside will be added.
Currently three SunLine bus routes serve Palm Desert: lines 32, 53 and 111. SunLine says all three routes will adjust their first service to arrive in Palm Desert so passengers can connect to the 5:52 a.m. Riverside Service.
