We have thought advertising should in place for a long time. The “trial” light rail wraps for the NBA All Star Game were well done and people seemed to like them. Given all of the talk about budget cuts, this press release from Metro makes a lot of sense…
METRO is open for advertising with first train wrap
PHOENIX — METRO light rail and advertising program administrator, CBS Outdoor, have earned their first sale with a train wrap by Grand Canyon University. The wrapped vehicle will makes its launch as early as Sunday, Feb. 14 and will be out in service for the next six months.
The METRO Board of Directors amended the agency advertising policy to permit sales of vehicle wraps, vehicle floor decals, station wraps and station display case advertising in July 2009. METRO finalized an agreement with CBS Outdoor to sell the advertising inventory in October.
Progress photos of the train wrap installation will be available this afternoon on METRO’s Facebook page.
To advertise with METRO, contact Brent Wood or Phil Calihan at CBS Outdoor at (602) 246-9569 or via email at brent.wood@cbsoutdoor.com or phil.calihan@cbsoutdoor.com. More information on the METRO advertising program can be found online at www.metrolightrail.org/advertising.
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.
Geez… taken them long enough! I say, load it up with adverts… just like every other subway and light rail. I love our beautiful light rail… but it really needs to stop being such a tax dollar drain.
.-= adamvonwillis´s last blog ..02-08 Back in the Saddle Again =-.
This is awful. I thought Phoenix had chosen to go with some truly lovely trains for its light rail system. Wrapping said lovely trains completely destroys their aesthetic. Not to mention it’s an insult to transit riders.
When the states start selling ads on automobiles to pay for roadways, they can sell ads on trains too.
.-= Justin N´s last blog ..City Leaders Think of Bikes as Toys =-.
@justin n what are you talking about? do you live under a rock?
an “insult to transit riders”? have you never been to a *real* city? the interior of the train cars are filled with ads. granted, thats the interior because you cant see the exterior of an underground subway car.
and your comment about the state selling ads on cars? uh, cars are privately owned, how is the state going to sell ad space on someones car? but wait, theres more! have you never seen a car wrapped with one of these ads? i see them daily.
so according to your logic, since ads are already being placed (wrapped) on cars, we CAN wrap the trains.
but i will say, that “all star” wrap in the pic is hideous.
This is absolutely wretched. The look of the trains was designed purposefully to be a visual calling card and give a style to the city. All cities mark part of their identity by the look of their transit. Now we have big, ugly and eye catching ads to disrupt that look. I do not want to look at this on my commute ever day and I do not want something funded by the people to be a platform for ugly ads.
YUCK.