Update: Shortly after we posted this, METRO release a statement saying – “Light Rail Strike Averted” <– Read the update there. No, we had nothing to do with it. 🙂
So, it appears that METRO is still sweet talking the Amalgamated Transit Union to see if there will be a work stoppage on January 1, or not. It must not be all roses because we have heard zilch about a New Year’s Eve schedule, yet.
Recently, Valley Metro published their holiday schedule. It was short and sweet but looked a bit different than the last couple of years.
Typically, they put out the hours of operation for Christmas and New Year’s Eve on the same press release, but as late as today ( December 21 ) they still make no mention of a New Year’s Eve schedule.
For instance, in 2011 the holiday hours for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, the Insight Bowl and New Year’s Eve were posted together and were already posted by now.
In 2010, they also posted about Christmas and New Year’s Eve at the same time.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1433 and Alternate Concepts Inc., the company Valley Metro pays to run its trains, began contract-renewal talks in June. But those talks stalled after Thanksgiving, and union members this month authorized a walkout when the Dec. 31 midnight deadline arrives. – via AZ Central
For 2012, the following info was posted on December 19th:
Bus and light rail schedule changes in observance of the Christmas holiday!
Valley Metro buses will operate on a Sunday schedule on Christmas Eve, December 24, and Christmas Day, December 25. Light rail will operate on a Sunday schedule Christmas Day only. Customer Service will be open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.
For more information, contact Customer Service at 602-253-5000 or go to valleymetro.org.
Have a wonderful holiday!
That was it… Hopefully, we will have detailed hours of operation for this New Year’s Eve. It would kind of suck if they really are facing some issues with their union threatening to strike just after midnight on New Year’s Day. There just might be a few people looking for a train ride that night. Tens of thousands of locals and visitors to the valley will be heading to downtown Phoenix and to Mill Ave on New Year’s Eve. It would be nice to know if they can count on reliable service like we have been known to have in the past.
In case you are wondering, I think a Sunday schedule consists of:
Weekend and Holiday Frequency. Trains arrive every 15 minutes between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.; all other hours, and on holidays and Sundays, trains arrive every 20 minutes.
We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! If we hear anything more about the New Year’s Eve schedule, we’ll let you know. Try following @METROrail, they should have an update for us, soon.
For now, we’ll just have to keep fishing for answers!
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