From:Michael Harrington
To:Kristie Ramos, CMC
Subject:Public Comment 12/4/25
Date:Tuesday, December 2, 2025 9:51:29 AM
Attachments:Public_Comment_Rancho_Mirage.pdf
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Can this be submitted as correspondence public comment? Do you need it as attachment? Mike Harrington
Public Comment for Rancho Mirage City Council - December 4, 2025 Michael Harrington, Resident of Rancho Mirage
(Member of RTC Citizens and Specialized Transportation Committee) Good afternoon, Mayor and City Council Members,
I am Michael Harrington, a resident of Rancho Mirage, and I would like to speak in support of adding Rancho Mirage to SunLine's SunRide rideshare program.
Right now, SunRide is available in most Coachella Valley cities - like Coachella, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Springs, and Mecca - but not in Rancho Mirage or Indian Wells.
Previous studies said there was not enough need here, but that should be reconsidered, especially with the new high-end Cotino development, 115 newly approved affordable housing units, and ongoing activity at houses of worship and schools. Expanding SunRide could help reduce traffic congestion in our city. Indian Wells should also be evaluated.
SunRide is an on-demand rideshare service that connects passengers to SunLine's fixed-route network or other locations in a defined zone. The service is easy to use through the SunRide smartphone app, available on both Google Play and Apple App Store. The fare is $3, payable by app, reloadable card, or exact cash. It works like an Uber, but at a very affordable rate.
Right now, trying to book a ride from Rancho Mirage - for example from Daval and Frank Sinatra to Date Palm and Dinah Shore - results in a very convoluted route: walking a mile to a bus stop, taking a bus toward Palm Springs, transferring at Buddy Rogers in Cathedral City, and then arriving at your destination. Meanwhile, the same trip originating in Cathedral City offers a simple 10-minute wait for a direct SunRide vehicle that gets you there in 20 minutes.
This shows that Rancho Mirage residents currently face long walks and limited options. Expanding SunRide into our city would provide safe, affordable, and convenient transportation, while also helping ease traffic congestion, particularly with the new housing, schools, and places of worship.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Michael Harrington
Resident of Rancho Mirage
(Member, RTC Citizens and Specialized Transportation Committee)