Monday, December 27, 2010

METRO extends service in support of Insight Bowl‏

Tomorrow, Dec. 28, METRO light rail will extend its regular service hours and add additional trains to support patrons of the Insight Bowl. After midnight or the close of regular service, trains will continue to run and arrive at stations every half-hour through 2 a.m.

The closest light rail station to Sun Devil Stadium is Veterans Way/College Ave. Event-goers are encouraged to buy an all-day pass from any station fare vending machine for round trip service.

For more information, contact Customer Service at 602-253-5000 or email info@metrolightrail.org. This information is also posted online as a rider alert at
www.valleymetro.org.

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

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

METRO holiday and December special events service schedule

METRO light rail will operate on a Sunday schedule on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day, Saturday, Jan. 1; trains arrive every 20 minutes on Sundays.

On Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24, METRO will operate using a regular Friday schedule, but without late-night service; trains will complete their last full trip from the end-of-line stations at 11 p.m.

On Tuesday, Dec. 28, METRO will extend its regular service hours and add additional trains to support patrons of the Insight Bowl. After midnight, trains will arrive every half-hour through the last full trip from the end-of-line stations at 2 a.m. The closest station to Sun Devil Stadium is Veterans Way/College Ave.

On New Year’s Eve, Friday, Dec. 31, METRO will run regular service, staying open late and adding more trains to support the demand from special events. Trains will complete their last full trip from the end-of-line stations at 2 a.m.

For more information, contact Customer Service at 602-253-5000, email info@metrolightrail.org
or click here for METRO’s regular service schedule. This information is also posted online as rider alerts at http://www.valleymetro.org/.

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

Friday, December 17, 2010

Extended Phoenix RAPID I-17 service coming in January‏

Several northwest Valley Express routes also changing

The Phoenix Public Transit Department will provide commuters a different option to get to work in downtown Phoenix later this month, when extended RAPID™ I-17 service begins on Jan. 24, 2011 in far northwest Phoenix. RAPID™ is a limited-stop service that operates on freeways throughout Phoenix, using commuter-style vehicles. The Phoenix City Council approved changes to RAPID™, as well as changes to some Express routes and the Grand Avenue Limited. Details are below.

Express Service

Elimination of Express routes 570, 582, and 590
(each travel on Central Avenue between Indian School and Thomas Roads)

Changes to transit service were made after a study of Express and RAPID™ commuter routes by Phoenix Public Transit planning staff showed high demand in northern parts of Phoenix, and underutilization of Express routes. The changes will save an estimated $300,000 annually.

“We had to look at all forms of transit service for savings and efficiency, including RAPID and Express,” said Phoenix Public Transit Department Director Debbie Cotton. “The changes to I-17 RAPID service will offer an alternative to driving for some users, while allowing us to direct funds to service for Phoenix riders who have provided the backbone of our city’s transit funding.”

More information on RAPID™ and other transit services is available online at http://www.valleymetro.org/
, or by calling Valley Metro Customer Service at 602-253-5000.

Source: City of Phoenix Public Transit

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

BUS BENCH PILOT PROGRAM LETS RESIDENTS SUPPORT TRANSIT PROJECTS

Residents can pay to help install, maintain transit furniture

The City of Phoenix Public Transit Department is piloting a new sponsorship program for transit furniture installation and upkeep. In an effort to aid interested individuals in contributing to public transit, the Bus Bench Memorial Program allows for many levels of support, from monthly cleaning of bus stops, to installation of transit furniture at suitable locations. The pilot bus bench memorial program grew from a resident’s suggestion, and is intended to generate additional transit system revenue.

"I would like to thank the District 6 citizen who brought this idea to my office. It is because of resident ideas that new programs like this one are possible,” said Councilman Sal DiCiccio. “I hope residents throughout the city will choose to get involved with the Bus Bench program."

To participate in the program fill out an interest form online, at www.phoenix.gov/publictransit/busbench.html
, or call the department with questions at 602-262-7242. A wide range of sponsorships are available, a list is available online. Prices may vary depending on furniture type and location.

Source: Phoenix Public Transit

Bus stops to move at Central Station during airlift Saturday, Dec. 11

Central Station Temporary Closure for Bus and Light Rail Service
Saturday morning, December 11, 2011

Phoenix’s Central Station, Central Ave. and Van Buren St., will be temporarily closed to bus and light rail service from 5 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010. Surrounding streets will be closed to pedestrians and traffic while an airlift for a nearby construction project takes place.

Metro trains will not stop at the platforms at Central Station and local city buses will move to temporary stops.

Light rail riders can board and deboard at the Washington/Central and Jefferson/First Avenue platforms. There is also a possibility of short westbound delays.

Bus passengers can pick up buses at one of three temporary stops:

·Routes 0 northbound (use the RAPID stop).

·Routes 0 southbound at the northwest corner of Washington and Third St.

Transit passengers will not have access to the fare vending machines at Central Station during this time so they must purchase transit passes at other light rail platforms or on board buses.

For other transit information, contact the Valley Metro Customer Service representative at 602-253-5000 or go on-line to
http://www.valleymetro.org/.

Source: Valley Metro