Friday, January 7, 2011

Bus detours for P. F. Chang's 2011 marathon‏

P.F. CHANG’S MARATHON WILL DETOUR BUS AND LIGHT RAIL SERVICE

Passengers should check routes before traveling.

Bus routes and light rail service in Phoenix will be affected when the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon rolls into town on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. Several bus routes will be detoured to allow for the event.

Both full and half marathons will start at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, near Washington Street and 14th Avenue in Phoenix and will finish on Packard Drive between ASU’s Sun Devil and Sun Angel Stadiums in Tempe. All roadways surrounding the Arizona State Capitol area will be closed to traffic beginning at 4 a.m.

Over 30,000 runners are expected to run the race through the streets of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. The race routes will be lined with live bands, volunteers, and spectators.

The event significantly impacts the area east of 7th Avenue and south of Camelback Road. Bus riders are strongly advised to consult
www.ValleyMetro.org or call customer service at 602-253-5000 for any route detour updates. Also, it is highly recommended that bus and rail passengers give themselves extra time to reach their destinations. Bus service in Phoenix will be disrupted starting with race preparations at 4 a.m. and continuing during the race until approximately 1 p.m.

List of Phoenix bus routes within the Phoenix Central Neighborhood boundaries severely affected by the detours:

Route 29-Thomas Rd.
Route 41-Indian School Rd.

List of other Phoenix bus routes within the Phoenix Central Neighborhood boundaries affected by the detours:

Route 0-Central Ave.
Route 8-7th Avenue

METRO light rail will not provide morning service to stations north of McDowell Rd. The following stations within the Phoenix Central Neighborhood boundaries will be without service until approximately 10 a.m., or until the race has cleared:

Thomas/Central Avenue
Osborn/ Central Avenue
Indian School/Central Avenue

METRO will provide service to the rest of the line – McDowell/Central Avenue through Sycamore/Main Street – beginning at 5 a.m. METRO will offer 15 minute service before and during the race when traditional Sunday frequency is every 20 minutes. Additional trains will be deployed based on the demand at the race finish area in Tempe. The entire line will re-open once police have indicated the marathon has cleared and it is safe to proceed, approximately 10 a.m.

For more detailed information about the marathon detours, please visit
www.ValleyMetro.org or call customer service at 602-253-5000, or follow @phoenixmetrobus and/or @MetroRail on Twitter.

Source: Metro Light Rail

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

METRO 2010 milestones

METRO light rail served more than 12.6 million riders in 2010, 11 percent more than in 2009. On average, 39,335 riders traveled using light rail on weekdays, 29,329 on Saturdays and 19,170 on Sundays/holidays.

“It’s been another incredible year for METRO,” said CEO Steve Banta. “Riders continue to use our service in record numbers despite the difficult economy and service reductions in July. 2011 is likely to bring similar financial challenges and they will be met by keeping a customer focus and an eye for where efficiencies can be gained.”

Other notable highlights of 2010:

· METRO has carried nearly 24 million riders over its first two years of operation.

· Reduced number of collisions by more than 50 percent vs. 2009.

· Generated $335,000 in system advertising revenue since program inception in Oct. 2009.

· Installed shade canopies at the 19th Ave. and Central/Camelback park-and-rides.

· Renewed the partnership with US Airways Center and Phoenix Suns to allow event tickets to serve as light rail pass.

· Entered the design phase on the Central Mesa light rail extension to downtown Mesa.

· Received local and regional approval of 2.6-miles of streetcar in the Mill Ave. corridor in Tempe.

· Moved forward with the South Central Feasibility Study in Phoenix.

For more detailed information on METRO 2010 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 12.6 million riders in 2010, exceeding the prior year by 11 percent. METRO serves an average of 39,335 riders per weekday. It is also planning for six extensions that will create a 57-mile system by 2031.

Source: Metro Light Rail