Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Valley Metro adds fare outlets ahead of July 1 fare increase

Transit riders should be aware that when fares increase on bus and light rail July 1, they can save money by purchasing fare media before their trips, off of the bus. Passes will be available online, via ticket vending machines, and at fare outlets.

Source: City of Phoenix Public Transit Department

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

METRO May ridership‏

METRO ridership totaled 928,259 boardings in May 2009. The average weekday ridership was 33,553, average Saturday ridership was 27,176 and average Sunday and holiday ridership was 20,219.

In April, METRO exceeded one million riders with 1,044,135 total boardings, resulting in an average weekday ridership of 37,386, average Saturday ridership of 32,720 and average Sunday and holiday ridership of 22,694.

METRO attributes the slight decline in ridership to typical reductions in travel regionwide due to summer breaks for ASU and other schools, as well as the departure of winter visitors.

METRO will continue to monitor ridership and report new totals on a monthly basis; numbers will be available by the middle of the subsequent month. Boardings by station reports will be available on a quarterly basis.


Source: Metro Light Rail

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Avoid the line - buy your July 4th all-day transit pass now‏

What

Avoid the line – buy your July 4th all-day pass now

On this July 4th holiday, the cities of Phoenix and Tempe will hold celebrations that are conveniently located along the METRO light rail line. A special July 4th pass has been created that will keep passengers, who buy in advance, out of any lines at the fare vending machines on this date.

This special pass is pre-validated, or date-stamped, for July 4, 2009 and valid for that date only. Passes can be purchased online or at select transit centers.

The passenger benefit is in the pass’ pre-validation. Normally, all-day passes – even those purchased in advance – have to be validated on the day of use; if using light rail, validation, as well as sales, occur at the fare vending machines. Major events tend to create heavy traffic at METRO fare vending machines.

An all-day pass provides round-trip service or more in one day. An all-day pass costs $2.50 through the end of June. July 1 initiates the regional fare increase making an all-day pass $3.50.

Where

Buy online at http://www.valleymetro.org/fares_and_passes/fare_purchase/. Online sales will be mailed to the recipient.

Buy in person from the following transit centers:

Central Station

Central Avenue and Van Buren Street

Open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tempe Transportation Center
Fifth Street and Forest Avenue
Open Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

When

Online sales of the pre-validated July 4th all-day pass will be accepted through Saturday, June 27. In-person sales can occur through Friday, July 3.


Source: Metro Light Rail