METRO first-year milestones

METRO light rail provided service to more than 11.3 million riders in 2009. Ridership has far exceeded first-year projections by 34 percent on weekdays, 33 percent on Saturdays and 61 percent on Sundays and holidays.

Other notable figures achieved in 2009:

The highest daily ridership occurred Dec. 31 with 53,216 riders.

The highest monthly ridership occurred in October with 1,124,924 riders.

The busiest station by boardings was Sycamore/Main in Mesa followed by Montebello/19th Ave., University Dr./Rural, Central Station and Roosevelt/Central Ave.

METRO served more than 400 major events along its line.

One-thousand daily passengers used the METRO-PHX Airport Shuttle for access to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Other notable highlights:

Feb. 2009:
METRO installs first advertising wraps on four light rail vehicles in promotion of the NBA All-Star event.

May 2009:
METRO provides service for ASU’s spring commencement featuring President Barack Obama.

June 2009:
METRO Board of Directors approves the Central Mesa light rail extension that will connect the current system to downtown Mesa.

July 2009:
METRO initiates late-night service until past 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Aug. 2009:
METRO develops an Adopt-A-Station program to better connect and serve its community. More than 60 interested parties apply to the program.

Sept. 2009:
METRO receives the top honor at Valley Forward’s 29th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards.

Oct. 2009:
METRO launches an innovative ticket partnership with US Airways Center where your event ticket serves as your light rail pass.

Oct. 2009:
METRO enters into an agreement with CBS Outdoor to administer the METRO advertising program at stations and on trains.

Dec. 2009:
METRO hires new CEO, Stephen R. Banta, who started on Jan. 20, 2010. Rick Simonetta leaves the post after six years as CEO.

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 Dec. 27, 2008 and served 11.3 million riders in 2009. Ridership exceeds projections by 34 percent on weekdays and fairs as well or better on Saturdays and Sundays. METRO will continue to refine its 20-mile operation, while also planning for 37 miles of future extensions.

Source: Metro Light Rail

METRO service impact on Jan. 17 due to P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

In accommodation of the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and ½ Marathon on Sunday, Jan. 17, METRO light rail will not provide morning service to stations north of McDowell Rd. The following stations will be without service until approximately 10 a.m., or until the race has cleared:

· Montebello/19th Avenue

· 19th Avenue/Camelback Road

· 7th Avenue/Camelback Road

· Central Avenue/Camelback

· Campbell/Central Avenue

· Indian School/Central Avenue

· Osborn/Central Avenue

· Thomas/Central Avenue

· Encanto/Central Avenue

METRO will provide service to the rest of the line – McDowell/Central Avenue through Main/Sycamore – beginning at 5 a.m. METRO will offer 12-15 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.

There are also significant bus detours as a result of this event. Select routes in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe will be impacted. All transit riders are strongly advised to consult http://www.valleymetro.org/ or call customer service at (602) 253-5000 for route detour updates and give themselves extra time to reach their destination.

As with all special events that occur along the line, METRO encourages the purchase of an all-day pass when first boarding for round trip service. An all-day or more pass eliminates the need to wait in line to buy another single ride fare when leaving the special event. Single ride fares should only be used when traveling one way. All pass types can be purchased at fare vending machines located at each station. They accept cash, credit, debit and change.

For more information, visit the “Need to Know” section of www.metrolightrail.org.

Source: Metro Light Rail

METRO hires new CEO, Steve Banta

An employment contract has been finalized between METRO light rail and its new CEO Steve Banta. Banta is expected to start work on January 20, 2010.

On Wednesday, the METRO Board ratified the negotiated employment contract and submitted it to Banta for his review and, ultimately, his signature.

“We are extremely pleased to move forward with Mr. Banta,” said METRO Board Chairman and Phoenix Vice Mayor Tom Simplot. “The METRO light rail organization will benefit from his years of experience managing an operation that is a model in the transit industry.”

Banta has worked in progressively important management roles for several public transit agencies including in his current role as TriMet’s executive director of operations as well as in San Diego, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Dallas and Pittsburgh. He has more than 23 years in the transit industry, starting his career in 1986 repairing railcars. “I appreciate the Board’s confidence in me,” said Banta. “I look forward to building a similar level of trust with the metro Phoenix community and add to the excellent work already accomplished.”

Current CEO Rick Simonetta has served as METRO’s first CEO over the last six years; his term ends December 31, 2009. METRO General Counsel Mike Ladino will serve as acting CEO until Banta’s arrival.

Simonetta has more than 38 years in the transit industry, working in all facets. METRO has been his first start-up adventure and, under his leadership, METRO opened on time, within budget and is now experiencing ridership that surpasses all projections. “I’m leaving this organization in very capable hands,” said Simonetta.

Source: Metro Light Rail

GOLDEN PASS PROMOTION

Metro's First Year Anniversary - All Day Saturday, December 19th


Ride light rail this Saturday for your chance to receive a “golden” transit pass! Discover new businesses, special discounts and be generally rewarded for your support of METRO in its first year. Here’s the inside scoop:

GOLDEN PASS PROMOTION

Ala Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, METRO will specially mark “golden” tickets in certain fare vending machines along the line. Buy your pass from any of the on-platform fare vending machines at the following stations for your chance to win:

Montebello/19th Avenue
Central Avenue/Camelback
Roosevelt/Central Avenue
Van Buren/Central Avenue and Van Buren/1st Avenue
Mill Avenue/3rd Street
Veterans Way/College Avenue
Price-101 Freeway/Apache Boulevard
Sycamore/Main Street

The 50 “golden” transit pass recipients will be entered into a raffle to receive one of 30 pairs of US Airways Center event tickets – either to a Phoenix Suns home game or a family-friendly event, like Disney on Ice or Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Two lucky winners will recieve “Grand Golden VIP Experiences” that include:

Four lower-level tickets to a Phoenix Suns home game
Seats on the Suns bench during pre-game warm-ups
Suns locker room tour
Suns autographed memorabilia

For additional information, including rider appreciation discounts, rules, regulations and eligibility details, visit http://www.metrolightrail.org. Platinum Pass and U-Pass cardholders have also been integrated into this program.

Source: Councilman Simplot District 4 E-News

COMTO and WTS Media Advisory

What

Last ride of METRO CEO Rick Simonetta – photo opp today at 4:55 p.m.

The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) and WTS along with the generous support of Friends of Transit (FOT) and Arizona Transit Association (AzTA) have teamed up to host the last ride and farewell reception for METRO light rail CEO Rick Simonetta. Simonetta departs as METRO’s first chief executive at the end of this year.

Simonetta will be honored by his peers and city leadership for his six years of service and expertise, opening up the Valley’s first light rail system on time and on budget.

A train will leave the Sycamore/Main station in Mesa at 4:10 p.m.* with Simonetta and Mesa city leadership and staff on board. The train will travel west to pick up leaders in both Tempe and Phoenix. The group will disembark at Central/McDowell station and proceed to the reception site, the Phoenix Art Museum.

When

Wednesday, December 16

Train departs at 4:10 p.m. from the Sycamore/Main station.

Picks up Tempe leadership at 4:23 p.m. from the Veterans Way/College station.

Picks up Phoenix leadership at 4:50 p.m. from the Washington/Central station.

Group disembarks at the Central/McDowell station at 4:55 p.m. – PHOTO OPP

VIP reception from 5 – 6 p.m. – INTERVIEW OPP

Full reception from 6 – 8 p.m.

Where

Reception will take place at the Phoenix Art Museum.

Who

Mayors, Vice Mayors and Council members of METRO member cities will be onboard and speak at the reception.

More Info

The Phoenix chapters of COMTO and WTS have been active in the Valley for several years and are dedicated to promoting the advancement of minorities and women in the field of transportation, including public transit, aviation, highways and related modes.

*These are approximate times; as always, train schedules are subject to unexpected delays or impacts.

Source: Metro Light Rail

Google Maps recognizes Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association as a Favorite Place on Google

Congratulations! You have made Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association a Favorite Place on Google. Between July 1 and September 30, Google users found Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association listed 5547 times, and requested driving directions or other information about our association 216 times.

Because we are so popular, Google provided a decal that shows citizens we are a Favorite Place on Google. The sticker includes a special bar code that citizens may scan with cameras on their phones. Then they can see Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association listings on Google, read and write reviews, and be added as a favorite right there. Our office is located in the Executive Towers Condominiums at 207 W. Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013. Stop by and visit the facility and ask the office manager, Cindy Lee or one of the front desk attendants if you can capture the special bar code from the sticker. We have placed it on the condo resident bulletin board in the mail room adjacent to the lobby.

Send us an email at Info@PhoenixCentral.org if you have problems.

We look forward to providing you with more and better ways to grow the Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association.

Alton J. Jones
Chairman
Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association

PhoenixCentral.org

METRO Board enters negotiations with final CEO candidate‏

METRO light rail Board of Directors extends an offer of employment to Stephen R. Banta to serve as METRO’s new Chief Executive Officer. Staff will begin work with METRO member cities to negotiate a fair and equitable employment contract with Mr. Banta. The CEO selection will be made official with the Board’s approval of the contract.

“This was a very difficult [selection] process,” said METRO Board Chairman and Phoenix Vice Mayor Tom Simplot following the Board’s executive session where the two final candidates – Mr. Banta and Deborah Wathen Finn – were discussed. “Either candidate could take the reins and lead us with outstanding success; they are each professionals and top of their class.”

Mr. Banta presently serves as the Executive Director of Operations for TriMet, the transit authority for the Portland metropolitan region. TriMet is the 7th largest transit system in America providing more than 350,000 trips each weekday on its 52 miles of light rail, 14.7 miles of commuter rail and 81 bus lines. Prior to TriMet, Banta served as the Chief Operations Officer with the Port Authority of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for eight years. He has more than 23 years of experience in the transit industry, starting his career in 1986 repairing railcars.

Current CEO Rick Simonetta will stay in this role through December 31, 2009.

Source: Metro Light Rail