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1930s Transit Tokens Sold Out at Phoenix Transit Centers
Phoenix Public Transit announced today that it has run out of the historic transit tokens it was selling as a part of Arizona's centennial celebration. The token sale was also meant to celebrate the City of Phoenix milestone of 125 years of continuous public transit service. 3,000 tokens were sold, starting on Jan. 3, 2012.
The 1930s tokens date back to when buses and electric streetcars operated under the name Phoenix Street Railway. Cash was the common form of payment for a ride but tokens could be used as a handy substitute as they were always good for one fare.
For more information on the tokens and to print off a Phoenix Street Railway token certificate of information, go to http://www.phoenix.gov/publictransit/historictokens.html.
Source: City of Phoenix Public Transit Department
The Phoenix Public Transit Department is notifying riders of changes to City of Phoenix Valley Metro bus routes, effective on Jan. 23, 2012.
The changes are listed below:
Local bus routes 0-Central Ave. and 8-7th Ave. will have service modified in south Phoenix to accommodate the 77-Baseline Road extension.
More information on bus service changes, including route and schedule information, is available at http://www.valleymetro.org, or by calling 602-253-5000.
Source: Metro Light Rail
METRO light rail served 13.2 million riders in 2011, an increase of four percent over 2010. On average, 40,712 riders traveled using light rail on weekdays, 31,008 on Saturdays and 20,930 on Sundays/holidays.
“Our ridership continues to grow—2011 ridership exceeded the record set in 2010,” said METRO CEO Steve Banta. “More and more of the Valley is opting in to public transit. We look forward to working more collaboratively with regional partners in 2012 to make the transit trip even easier and more appealing for riders.”
Other notable highlights of 2011:
Generated $383,000 in system advertising across 2011; approximately 25 percent over budget.
Completed the ARRA-funded, 123-space park-and-ride lot at 7th Avenue and Camelback Road in March, which included shade canopies at this and two existing park-and-ride lots.
Launched a solar-cooled light rail station at 3rd Street/Washington in partnership with NRG and the City of Phoenix in July.
Served nearly 200,000 riders during Major League Baseball’s All-Star week with five, full All-Star train wraps and took part in the All-Star Red Carpet Parade.
Developed a mobile website in conjunction with Local First Arizona that shares the locally-owned restaurants and retail within a half-mile of the line.
Received environmental clearance in July and $35.5 million in the FY 2012 federal appropriations bill signed in November for the 3.1-mile Central Mesa light rail extension.
Determined 13 stop locations and several street configurations for the 2.6-mile Tempe Streetcar project.
Received a $1 million federal grant to conduct a 24-month Alternatives Analysis on the South Central Phoenix corridor.
Received a $2.7 million TIGGER (Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction) grant award for a solar shade structure at the maintenance facility.
For more detailed information on METRO 2011 ridership, click here for the annual ridership report.
About METRO
METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened December 2008 and served 13.2 million riders in 2011, exceeding the prior year by four percent. METRO serves an average of 40,000 riders per weekday. It is also planning for six extensions that will create a 57-mile system by 2031.
METRO light rail will operate a Sunday schedule on the observed holidays for Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 26, and New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 2. Trains arrive every 20 minutes on Sundays and holidays. Buses will also operate using a Sunday schedule.
On Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24, METRO will operate a regular schedule, but without late-night service; trains will complete their last full trip from the end-of-line stations at 11 p.m.
For the Insight Bowl on Friday, Dec. 30, and New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31, METRO will run regular service with additional trains to support pre- and post-event crowds. On Friday and Saturday nights, trains complete their last full trip from the end-of-line stations at 2 a.m. (the following morning).
Please use the below chart as reference:
Holiday/Special Event
Christmas Eve – Saturday, Dec. 24
Regular – no late-night service
Christmas Day (Observed) – Monday, Dec. 26
Sunday/Holiday service
Insight Bowl – Friday, Dec. 30
Regular – Enhanced to serve special event service
New Year’s Eve – Saturday, Dec. 31
Regular – Enhanced to serve special event service
New Year’s Day (Observed) – Monday, Jan. 2
Sunday/Holiday service
For more information, contact Customer Service at 602-253-5000, email info@metrolightrail.org or click here for METRO’s regular service schedule.
About METRO
METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened December 2008 and served 11.3 million riders in 2009, exceeding all first-year ridership projections by 45 percent. METRO continues to serve an average of 41,000 daily riders and refine its 20-mile operation. It is also planning for six extensions that will create a 57-mile system by 2031.
Source: Metro Light Rail
To spread holiday cheer and show continued gratitude to riders, METRO light rail will release a specially-decorated holiday train into service on Friday, Dec. 9. It will stay in service through Sunday, Dec. 18.
The train will be adorned inside and out with seasonal décor promoting the idea of holiday shopping along light rail. To discover hidden, locally-owned restaurant and retail gems along METRO, visit m.shiftarizona.com from your smart phone or home computer. This site was developed in partnership with Local First Arizona to help residents understand how and where to spend local this holiday season and year-round.
Follow the Holiday Train on @METROrail’s Twitter using hashtag #trackthetrain. Send us your photos when you catch a glimpse or as you’re on board. Your photo submission enters you to win holiday giveaways.
Note: The METRO Holiday Train is a regular service train; fares are required to ride.
About METRO
METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened December 2008 and served 11.3 million riders in 2009, exceeding all first-year ridership projections by 45 percent. METRO continues to serve an average of 41,000 daily riders and refine its 20-mile operation. It is also planning for six extensions that will create a 57-mile system by 2031.
Source: Metro Light Rail
METRO light rail and Valley Metro/RPTA have each received a TIGGER III (Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction) grant award together totaling more than $4 million for energy-saving projects. Forty-six total projects were selected nationwide following a review of more than 250 applications.
METRO will use its $2.7 million grant to build a solar shade canopy to cover stored light rail vehicles at the Operations and Maintenance Center. The canopy will cover an expanse of 142,000 square feet and provide crucial shading to light rail vehicles while also generating enough electricity to satisfy nearly 100 percent of the maintenance facility’s power needs. METRO will seek private sector support to develop the project.
Valley Metro is being awarded $1.3 million to retrofit as many as 70 buses with an innovative electric engine cooling fan system that is cost effective and lowers pollutant emissions. Energy savings are anticipated with a nine percent reduction in fuel consumption. The original idea for the cooling system is developed from military vehicles and now being applied to transit buses.
“We appreciate the support from the FTA to innovate transit operations in the Valley,” said METRO CEO Steve Banta. “The infusion of federal dollars will put people to work as well as generate long-term operational cost savings. Transit investment is a solution to the stalled economy.”
TIGGER is a Federal Transit Administration competitive grant program that supports transit capital investments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or energy use. The FTA seeks out projects that enhance operational efficiencies, demonstrate innovation and help achieve agency and federal sustainability goals.
For more information on the TIGGER III grant program and Fiscal Year 2011 award recipients, visit http://www.fta.dot.gov/newsroom/12286_14099.html.
Photos are available upon request.
About METRO
METRO is responsible for the development and operation of the region’s high-capacity transit system. The first 20-mile light rail line opened December 2008 and served 12.6 million riders in 2010, exceeding the prior year by 11 percent. METRO serves an average of 40,000 riders each weekday while also planning for six extensions that will create a 57-mile system by 2031.
About Valley Metro/RPTA
Valley Metro RPTA provides eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County, including a clean-fuel bus fleet, low-emissions light rail, a bio-diesel Dial-a-Ride fleet, online carpool matching and bus trip mapping, bicycle safety and telework assistance. Funding is provided by local and federal revenues. A board of 16 governments sets the policy direction for the agency and works to improve and regionalize the public transit system.
Source: Metro Light Rail
What
Public transit says “thanks” to Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon
Friends of Transit, a nonprofit group that educates Greater Phoenix on the value of mass transit, will host an event to thank outgoing Phoenix mayor, Phil Gordon, for his dedication and passion for transit in the Valley. During his tenure, transit services have expanded to more of the Valley, including the addition of 20 miles of light rail. He appreciates and has tirelessly promoted the connection between effective transportation solutions and quality of life for his residents.
The Mayor will be presented with a few surprises to show the community’s gratitude for his eight years of support.
When
Monday, November 14, 2011
10:30 – 11 a.m.
Where
Central Station – closer to the 1st Ave./Van Buren light rail platform
Who
Speakers to include:
•Phoenix Councilman and METRO Board Chairman Tom Simplot
•Friends of Transit Chairwoman Yvonne Hunter
•METRO CEO Steve Banta
•Certainly, Mayor Gordon, post-surprise!
More
For more information on Friends of Transit, visit http://friendsoftransit.org/.
Source: Metro Light Rail
