After the train wreck that has been the Banta saga, Valley Metro has decided to remove the interim label and keep Scott Smith as their CEO. This should be good news for transit fans as Scott seems like he’s been doing good things in his current role. He’s also got some great experience with our […]
Banta Lawyers Up – Sues Valley Metro for $1.65 Million
This train wreck continues to unfold as Valley Metro is being sued by Steve Banta. Yep, one day after a scathing audit rips former Valley Metro CEO Steve Banta of more financial shenanigans, he and his high paid lawyers file a notice of claim for $1.65 million. Basically, this is the first of many steps that […]
Valley Metro Boards of Directors Accept Banta Resignation
Well, well, well. I guess the Metro CEO story continues to unfold. First, we heard that Steve Banta was going to resign. After that, we heard that Banta was possibly going to rescind his resignation. Tonight, we hear a VERY brief press release that says Mr. Banta’s resignation has been accepted. Here’s the mountain of […]
Steve Banta – Valley METRO CEO Resigns
Back in 2009, we were told that Steve Banta would replace Rick Simonetta as the CEO of Valley metro. 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 […]
Making A Booty Call? Not on METRO
Advertising on the light rail line has come a long way since the early days of the system, and we were told that NO advertising would be found on light rail cars. That tune quickly changed when the METRO figured out that people would pay a LOT of money to wrap a light rail car. […]
Cindy Hill Talks Scottsdale Light Rail
Back in 2009, my friend D Patrick Lewis wrote an article here on the RailLife blog where he gave some thoughts on the light rail line coming to Scottsdale. This past weekend, I happened to be in Scottsdale and saw an opinion piece in the Scottsdale Republic written by city council candidate Cindy Hill. Apparently, […]
We All Work
Has anyone seen this? Have you seen anything like it on our light rail trains? We all trip, we all stumble, We all have to rebuild from the ashes and rubble. So be brave, yet be humble, and keep sight of the light at the end of the tunnel. Have a great day, rockin’ the […]
5 Years of METRO Light Rail
December 27th 2008, I remember it well. As we gathered at the Operations Center to view the first ribbon cutting ceremony before the Mayors of Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix boarded trains to head out to their grand opening ceremonies, there was a lot of excitement in the cold air. It really doesn’t seem like 5 […]
FREE Light Rail Rides To End The Year
Everyone likes a free ride, right? Well, thanks to Coors Light, New Year’s Eve Party Goers will get a free ride on the light rail cars after 7pm. But, if you drive to a park and ride lot, jump on a train, go get hammered on New Year’s Eve and take the train back to […]
Power Players Talking Regional Transportation Benefits
The cool people over at the Sustainable Communities Collaborative recently spoke with the Mayors of Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa about light rail, sustainability and quality planning for our future. Take a look at this video to hear more about what Mayors Stanton, Mitchell and Smith have to say about the light rail corridor. 12/27/2008 – […]