Mexican Bus Company Chooses Phoenix For First Permanent US Terminal

Published: Monday, September 28, 2015 - 5:25pm
Updated: Monday, September 28, 2015 - 10:13pm
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(Photo by Matthew Casey - KJZZ)
TAP Royal's first permanent terminal in the United States is on the southwest corner of 27th Avenue and McDowell Road. A grand opening is slated for Thursday.
(Photo by Matthew Casey - KJZZ)
Architect Carlos Murrieta designed the $2 million TAP Royal terminal. He said the company hopes the building will spark economic development in the area.
(Photo by Matthew Casey - KJZZ)
The TAP Royal terminal has room for about 90 passengers. About 30 TAP Royal busses are expected to travel between Nogales, Arizona, Nevada, California and Tijuana.

Seeking to increase cross-border commerce, Phoenix, Tucson and the state of Arizona have stepped up collaborative efforts with Mexico. They opened a trade office in Mexico City last year and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has developed rapport with Sonora’s new leader, Gov. Claudia Pavlovich.

Now a Mexican bus company that emphasizes rider comfort has chosen Phoenix as the site of its first permanent terminal in the United States.

TAP Royal’s new terminal is across the street from one of its Mexican competitors, which is owned by Autotransportes Tufesa - a bus company based in Sonora. The grand opening of the $2 million building near 27th Avenue and McDowell Road is scheduled for Thursday. TAP Royal is an affiliate of Transportes y Autobuses del Pacifico.

The energy efficient, two-story terminal looks out of place compared with its surroundings,but some hope the company will spark economic development in one of the less aesthetically pleasing areas of Phoenix.

TAP Royal’s decision to build a terminal in an area dotted by gas stations, industrial complexes and empty lots could usher in an economic renaissance, architect Carlos Murrieta said.

“I think TAP’s vision was that this will be the keystone, you know, to try and make a change on this specific part of the city,” he said.

Given the increasing affordability of other forms of transportation, bus companies aren’t investing in passenger amenities, Murrieta said. That’s why the terminal’s design reflects TAP Royal’s mission to recreate an aura of prestige around bus travel.

“TAP has come here into the U.S. with the mentality of trying to provide that extra dignified solution to the public that cannot afford to go on a plane,” Murrieta said. “Or even, you know, if you want to travel some place close by – Vegas or Los Angeles – that you will have that alternative.” 

The company also has plans to build a permanent terminal in Tucson, Murrieta said. Its Phoenix location has room for about 90 passengers and there are dorms built into the second floor for drivers. About 30 TAP Royal buses are expected to travel between Nogales, Arizona, Nevada, California and Tijuana.

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