![]() Scottsdale resident Steve Gross, who, according to the paper, "went out of his way to ride the light Other passengers interviewed by the Republic gave similarly positive reviews of the new The cheerful group of commuters had replaced the curious crowds of joy riders that packed the trainsĪnd while there were plenty of empty seats during the morning commute, evening trains were nearly The mood on the trains was upbeat as passengers relaxed, listened to music and read. ![]() With a headline noting that "Homebound trains" were "nearly full" that afternoon. METRO began charging passengers to ride" reported the Arizona Republic (Jan. "Thousands of commuters flocked to the light rail Monday, the first real workday since Three, seven, and 31-day passes are also available.Įven after the new line started charging fares, public enthusiasm continued strong. Ridership surges toward first-year targetįollowing the opening celebration, rides on the LRT system remained free through the followingĪfter that, LRT passes have been available for $1.25 for a single ride and $2.50 for an all-day pass. "I think that people in Arizona want to know what it really feels like to be a New Yorker" Robinson told Speculated that the service will attract the public especially because the cost of fares will be cheaperīut he also thinks people will be attracted to Phoenix's Metro LRT for what was described as "cultural "I think it will be faster than the bus" he said, although he'll still have to take a bus to his train stop.Ĭhristopher Robinson, who said he plans to ride the LRT trains because he doesn't own a car, To his job, told the paper he plans to use the LRT system every workday to get to his job. The Arizona Daily Star also interviewed some individuals among the crowds attendingĪbraham Koory, described as an employee of a Tempe printing company who already rides the bus Turned out in droves to get their first real look at what their tax dollars had funded. The cities along the route were offering live bands and other entertainment at stations, and residents Standing-room areas of the rail cars were so thick with people that there was no such thing as elbow Lines to board the sleek trains on the inaugural runs ran more than 1 1/2 hours at times. Streetcar-type LRT project, was impressed by the public turnout for Phoenix's LRT opening: Opening day crowd boards LRT train at Veterans Way/College Avenue station in Tempe. Ride period prospective riders waited in extremely long lines at both ends of the boarding stations in Into the brand-new "tinsel grey and teal-colored" trains, as the Arizona Republic (Jan.Īccording to an earlier Arizona Republic article (Dec. ![]() The new line was inaugurated with at least a dozen official parties and an estimated 90,000 toġ50,000 passengers who took the opportunity for a free opening-day ride on the system, cramming Most visited locations, including Arizona State University, Sun Devil Stadium, the Mill Avenue District,Īnd Tempe Town Lake." LRT trains "also stop in front of some of Tempe's largest business parks." 2008) the LRT line's stations "serve some of Tempe's In addition to serving important destinations in central-city Phoenix and Mesa, according to aĮM>Business Wire article (18 Dec. On 27 December 2008, Phoenix opened the USA's latest totally new rail transit system – its $1.4-billion, 20-mile light rail transit (LRT) starter line, with 28 stations, connecting northern Phoenix with its eastern suburbs of Tempe and Mesa. Have continued to be developed, generating jobs and laying tracks to provide enhanced, lower-cost, energy-efficient mobility for the future. Phoenix, Arizona – Despite years of resistance to new rail projects from the US Federal Transit Administration, constrained funding, and now a global economic crisis, publicly funded rail transit projects in the USA APTA - American Public Transportation Assn.Phoenix: Light Rail Opens, Ridership Soars - Light Rail Now
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |