Visitors to the Coronado National Forest’s Sabino Canyon Recreation Area can now enjoy a quieter, cleaner ride to Bear Canyon, thanks to an expanded electric shuttle service supported by Tucson Electric Power.
Four new 23‑passenger electric shuttles are now operating on the scenic 1.9‑mile Bear Canyon route, providing access to Bear Canyon Overlook and the Seven Falls Trailhead. The smaller vehicles complement the existing 62‑passenger Sabino Canyon Crawler, which serves the popular 3.7‑mile Sabino Canyon route. The new shuttles also may be deployed on the main Sabino Canyon route as needed.
“We’re grateful for Tucson Electric Power’s support that made this expansion possible,” said Mary Carter, Director of Mobility Management and Services for Pima Association of Governments. PAG manages the Regional Partnering Center which operations the Crawler system. “TEP’s contributions provided the financial foundation to sustain and extend our electric shuttle service, and we appreciate our ongoing partnership.”
Tucson Electric Power has donated $2.5 million to support the electric shuttles, which carried more than 95,000 passengers last year. All contributions were provided from company resources that won’t be recovered through customer rates.
“We’re proud to support a project that protects Sabino Canyon while expanding access for the community,” said Dallas Dukes, Senior Vice President of Customer and Strategic Affairs for Tucson Electric Power. “Our investment in the electric shuttle system reflects our commitment to long‑term environmental stewardship and to partnerships that make a real, lasting difference for Southern Arizona’s most treasured places.”
The new vehicles are part of Sabino Canyon’s growing electric fleet and include American‑made components from Moto Electric Vehicles. Each MotoEV Electro Transit Buddy seats 23 passengers and features regenerative electric braking, significantly reducing noise and emissions compared with traditional diesel buses.
“This is an outstanding improvement for visitors and for the canyon itself,” said Donato DelMastro, District Ranger. “Replacing older diesel buses with quiet, efficient electric shuttles meaningfully improves the experience in both Sabino and Bear Canyons. It’s exciting to see longtime partners come together to deliver world‑class recreation while protecting this special place.”
Beginning May 1, 2026, the Bear Canyon route will operate with hourly departures from 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The Sabino Canyon route will continue operating hourly from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The wheelchair‑accessible Sabino Canyon Crawler operates 360 days a year at 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road.
Shuttle fares are separate from the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area vehicle entrance fee. Tickets may be purchased in person or online at SabinoCanyonCrawler.com.
