Bisbee, Ariz. – Cochise Connection, which will provide long-awaited intercity bus service linking the cities of Douglas, Bisbee, and Sierra Vista, will begin service August 7, 2017.

Cochise Connection is administered by the SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO) and operated through an agreement with the City of Douglas. 

Intercity bus service has long been identified as a strategy for improving mobility throughout Cochise County. The new fixed-route bus service will help people travel to work, medical appointments, and educational institutions including Cochise College campuses. 

Service will originate at the Douglas Visitor/Transit Center with stops at the Douglas Cochise College campus, Lowell Plaza in Bisbee, Canyon Vista Medical Center, Cochise College main campus in Sierra Vista, and the Sierra Vista Transit center. The Cochise College stops will not begin until August 14th . The initial schedule will provide for three round trips Monday through Friday and two round trips on Saturday. The route is expected to be extended to Huachuca City and Benson in early 2018. 

“Cochise Connection is going to open up a whole new world of travel options for people who live and work in Cochise County,” said SEAGO Transportation Planner Chris Vertrees. “The new service is designed to help people travel to out-of-town destinations that may have been previously out of reach. We believe Cochise Connection will dramatically improve quality of life for residents and visitors alike.” 

Cochise Connection fares are based on the length of the trip. One way fares linking most cities are $3.00, while fares between Douglas and Sierra Vista are $4.00. Monthly passes offering unlimited rides will be available for an initial cost of $50 for the month of August. The regular cost of a monthly pass will be $90. Cochise Connection passengers will be eligible for one free transfer to Bisbee Bus or Douglas Rides transit systems. Riders transferring to Vista Transit will be required to pay the established fare. 

Where to purchase passes, service maps, brochures, and rider information are available online at www.CochiseConnection.com. 

To kick off the new service, members of the public are invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, August 7th at 11:00 AM at the Douglas Visitor/Transit Center located at 345 16th Street. For additional information please contact John Merideth at 520.432.5301 x212. 

Cochise Connection is made possible through funding provided by the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, SEAGO, Freeport McMoran, Cochise County, and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). 

The SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO) is a regional planning agency that was established in 1972. SEAGO coordinates regional transportation and transit planning efforts for the counties of Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz; the cities of Benson, Bisbee, Clifton, Douglas, Duncan, Huachuca City, Nogales, Patagonia, Pima, Safford, Thatcher, Tombstone and Willcox; and the portion of the San Carlos Apache Tribe located in Graham County. For more information, visit www.seago.org or call 520.432.5301. The City of Douglas, located in the County of Cochise, is situated on the US/Mexican border adjacent to the Mexican city of Agua Prieta. Located 118 miles southeast of Tucson, the Douglas area has over 18,000 residents and was founded in 1901, and incorporated in 1905. For more information visit www.douglasaz.org or call 520.417.7300.