We talked about Metro’s new CEO Steve Banta last week but now, it’s official: PHOENIX — An employment contract has been finalized between METRO light rail and its new CEO Steve Banta. Banta is expected to start work on January 20, 2010. On Wednesday, the METRO Board ratified the negotiated employment contract and submitted it […]
Final ride for Metro CEO Rick Simonetta
Metro light rail outgoing CEO Rick Simonetta was honored this past week with a “farewell” ride and reception at the Phoenix Art Museum. The shindig was made possible by a lot of “transportation geeks” pulling out all the stops to thank Rick for his hard work on our light rail system. Simonetta was honored by […]
More light rail anniversary celebration information
PHOENIX — Take a trip on light rail this Saturday for your chance to receive a “golden” transit pass, discover new and interesting retailers offering discounts to transit riders and be generally rewarded for your support of METRO in its first year. Here’s the inside scoop: GOLDEN PASS PROMOTION Ala Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, […]
Metro Arts Guide and Discounts!
METRO and arts venues team-up for new guide, great deals: Arts organizations celebrate with admission discounts. PHOENIX—METRO and 39 Valley arts and culture venues are marking National Arts and Humanities Month with a new light rail destination guide and some great deals on fall arts events for the whole family. METRO Board Chair and Phoenix […]
Chandler Gilbert and Mesa to get more access to light rail
Valley Metro Awards Contract for Bus Rapid Transit Project Construction: Stimulus Dollars Provide Funds for New Facilities Phoenix, AZ (Oct. 22, 2009) Construction of Valley Metro’s second arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project will begin in November with the award of a contract to D.L. Withers Construction by the Valley Metro Board of Directors. The […]
Metro Light Rail Ridership Numbers – September 09’
METRO September ridership – highest month on record PHOENIX — An average of 40,000 riders per weekday used METRO light rail in September, contributing to the highest monthly ridership in METRO history. More than one million boardings occurred in September for a total of 1,054,286 riders, creating an average weekday ridership of 40,772, average Saturday […]
Trash talkin’ for Mesa
Last week, I mentioned that Phoenix needed to step up their efforts to catch Mesa in the September light rail boardings contest where Tom Simplot challenged Mesa Vice Mayor Kyle Jones for the month of September. Basically, the contest was to see which of the end-of-the-line stations have the most boardings. Well, the numbers are […]
Phoenix needs to step up this weekend
Ever wonder how Tom Simplot looks pushing a broom? We just might get a chance to find out if the current light rail ridership numbers hold true to what is believed to be an advantage for Mesa. I spoke to a Metro employee recently and was told Mesa is leading the way in light rail […]
September Light Rail Ridership Contest
It is no big secret that light rail ridership numbers have been down over the HOT summer months. Obviously, the numbers have been affected by ASU students out for summer break and people not using the system as much during the summer months for recreational use, etc. However, returning students using their “U-Pass” for riding […]
Questions remain for East Valley Light Rail extensions
The subject of light rail extensions in East Valley cities of Mesa and Tempe have come up in several conversations that I have had with people recently. Mesa and Tempe both appear to be very interested in expanding their light rail system. I have long been of the opinion that Main Street is a great […]