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METRO light rail will increase service on Monday, July 4, to support patrons of the Phoenix and Tempe holiday celebrations.METRO will ramp up from 20-minute holiday service to running every 10 minutes by 5 p.m. for patrons’ ingress to these events. METRO will also be prepared with a similar level of service when the events end.Service will be extended that evening to have the last full trips at midnight, rather than 11 p.m. The system will be busy on this holiday. Passengers are advised to expect crowds on board, at park-and-rides and possible delays. Please be patient and plan ahead. Post-event, look for the proper queue line or train headsign to board a train headed in your return direction.Passengers are also highly encouraged to purchase an all-day pass in advance for their round trip service on light rail. Buying in advance minimizes your time at the fare vending machines on the day-of. Buy your pass today online, from a transit center, retail outlet or station fare vending machine and simply activate it on July 4.For more information, visit http://www.metrolightrail.org or call Customer Service at 602-253-5000.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.Source: Metro Light Rail
Reverse lane changes are coming soon this summer. I was pleased to see my fellow Phoenix City Council members join me on a vote Wednesday night to address traffic safety concerns on the "Sevens," including the installation of a new left turn signal at 7th Avenue and Camelback Road. This is the first major change on these streets in 30 years! In addition, Streets Dept. will install new flashing beacons/lights and replace old signs with signs featuring universal traffic symbols. Click here to see a mock-up of the new signs.
This contentious issue was difficult to negotiate and I've appreciated your support, participation and comments during this long process. Although elimination of the reverse lanes was the ultimate goal, I felt strongly about and fought hard for the left turn signal at this major intersection to help ease cut-through traffic in our neighborhoods. Once implemented, I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on whether these upgrades improve traffic concerns on the “Sevens” for our central city residents and businesses.
Source: Tom Simplot, Phoenix District 4 Councilman
PHOENIX, AZ and PRINCETON, NJ; June 16, 2011—NRG Thermal LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: NRG), is building an innovative system that uses solar power and the Company’s downtown district cooling system to provide cooling to the seating areas of the popular 3rd Street/Washington METRO light rail station. The system will launch this July and operate May through September annually, when summer temperatures often exceed 110 degrees.
“I was able to experience a similar system during a business trip to Dubai and brought the idea back to Phoenix,” said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. “NRG took the ball and ran with it, investing its money and expertise to make this happen. This solar-powered system will make riding the light rail in Phoenix even cooler. It’s an example of public-private partnership at its best!”
“This partnership with NRG will have a direct and positive impact on our riders,” said METRO CEO Steve Banta. “In addition to being a welcomed customer amenity, this project is the first use of solar energy on our system. We’re hopeful it can lead to other solar opportunities along our current line and as we grow.”
NRG plans to design and build this project in an unusually short time—by July 5, the week before the Major League Baseball All-Star game is held in Phoenix. Throughout the project’s construction, access to light rail service and station amenities, including fare vending machines, will not be affected.
Project benefits include:
Free and on-demand cooling for passengers will improve the rail system experience.
The system is environmentally friendly, leveraging the existing energy-efficient downtown district cooling system and using solar power to operate the air-conditioning/air-moving system.
NRG will cover the entire cost of building, operating and maintaining this new system, which means no additional costs to local residents and commuters.
The project will include an educational exhibit showcasing the technology and how it works.
NRG owns and operates NRG Energy Center Phoenix, which provides cost-efficient and effective cooling for 34 major buildings in downtown Phoenix including Chase Field, US Airways Center, the Phoenix Convention Center, the Sheraton Hotel, Symphony Hall and CityScape among others. NRG also owns and operates distributed solar systems in Arizona at several schools, which help reduce the schools’ utility bills and provide shade for on-campus parking lots. NRG is in the process of building 12 large solar pavilions at schools in four districts across the state as the first stage of the program. NRG also provides large-scale solar solutions in Arizona as the Company is developing a 25 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Pima County and the 290 MW Agua Caliente PV project in Yuma County.
About NRG
NRG Energy, Inc. is a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 Index company that owns and operates one of the country’s largest and most diverse power generation portfolios. Headquartered in Princeton, NJ, the Company’s power plants provide 25,000 megawatts of generation capacity—enough to supply approximately 20 million homes. NRG’s retail businesses—Reliant Energy and Green Mountain Energy Company—serve nearly 1.9 million residential, business, commercial and industrial customers. With major investments in solar and wind power, as well as electric vehicle infrastructure, NRG is working to help America transition to a clean energy economy. More information is available at http://www.nrgenergy.com.
About METRO light rail
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 43,000 riders each weekday while also planning for six extensions that will create a 57-mile system by 2031. More information is available at http://www.metrolightrail.org.
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Media Contacts:
NRG Energy
David Gaier
609.524.4529
METRO light rail
Hillary Foose
602.322.4468
City of Phoenix
Michael Hammett
602.495.5405
Source: Metro Light Rail
Interested in the latest changes to the Reverse Lanes? Please attend the Phoenix City Council meeting next Wednesday, June 15th at 3:00pm at Council Chambers, 200 West Jefferson.
City Council is set to vote on installing left turn arrows at 7th Avenue and Camelback. This will be the first major change to the "Sevens" in more than 30 years. I hope you can join us.
If you have questions, comments or ideas, please feel free to call my office at 602-262-7447 or send me an email at council.district.4@phoenix.gov.
Source: Councilman Tom Simplot District 4
For your awareness, METRO will conduct an emergency drill on Sunday, May 22, beginning at approximately 9 a.m. on the Tempe Town Lake light rail bridge. The drill will involve a train stopped on top of the bridge requiring volunteers to evacuate and emergency personnel to respond.Drills are routinely executed and required to maintain safety certification and a high level of preparedness by METRO staff and local emergency responders.During the drill, there will be minimal impact to regular service. The eastbound sides only of the Priest Drive/Washington, Center Parkway/Washington and Mill Avenue/Third Street stations will be active and providing service in both directions. Riders should refer to the train’s headsign to know which train to board. Slight delays to the schedule could occur as a result of this activity.WhenSunday, May 22, 2011Approximately 9 – 11 a.m.WhereTempe Town Lake light rail bridgeIf you would like to view the drill, media is asked to park at the lot south of Marquee Theatre, under the Red Mountain 202 freeway, accessible from Mill Avenue, south of Washington Street.Source: Metro Light Rail
What
Try transit! New park-and-ride lot now open.
Breakfast celebration featuring the Suns, free transit passes set for Wed., 3/23, morning
The ARRA-funded 7th Avenue/Camelback park-and-ride has opened offering METRO light rail passengers additional and shaded parking. The lot will provide greater access to the transit system and is well-timed considering the growth in ridership and gas prices.
To celebrate the lot’s opening, METRO, in partnership with the City of Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns and Hunter Contracting Co., will offer free breakfast and transit passes to those who want to try transit the morning of March 23!
Come down to be some of the first to park in the new lot, grab breakfast from neighboring food purveyors Copper Star Coffee, America’s Best Taco Shop and Fry’s and enjoy the energy of the Phoenix Suns Gorilla! Finally, hop on board light rail with one of the 100 free all-day transit passes provided by Hunter.
There will also be an opportunity to enter a drawing for Phoenix Suns/US Airways Center ticket packages!
When
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
7:30 – 9 a.m.; comments at 8 a.m.
Where
West end of the 7th Avenue/Camelback park-and-ride lot. The lot is located on the southeast corner of the intersection.
Who
All riders, new and existing, and neighboring residents and business owners of the lot are encouraged to attend.
Speakers will include:
METRO CEO Steve Banta
METRO Board Chairman and Phoenix Councilman Tom Simplot
Representative from Hunter Contracting Co.
The Phoenix Suns Gorilla J
Source: Metro Light Rail
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
