Metro light rail is extending the hours of operation for Friday and Saturday nights to help those that do not want to worry about missing the last train when dining out, attending a show or just having some fun. “Early” hours have been an issue for many people since light rail began running this past December. While Metro has promised to help people get home from Diamondbacks games and from other major events throughout the year, many are hesitant to take light rail to concerts, Art walks, Mill Avenue, Downtown events, etc. for fear of missing the last train or because they don’t want to have to try timing their evening around an early “curfew.”

From Metro concerning the new hours:

“Beginning July, METRO will extend service hours on Friday nights/Saturday mornings and Saturday nights/Sunday mornings until past 2 a.m.  The last full trip of the night will occur at 2 a.m., arriving at the opposite end of the line at 3 a.m.  METRO will continue to provide 20-minute service in this extended period.”

This “First Friday”  (and first weekend) of extended hours promises to be a great test to see high demand on the later hours. While the 4th of July festivities are sure to pack huge crowds, many fun community events are also planned for the weekend. Because of these extended hours people are excited to travel without having to think about their commute before the clock strikes 12. The “Phoenix Friday Night’s” crew is planning on gathering for some early festivities at Gallo Blanco with many of the “tech-geek” (cool tweeps) crowd followed by a trip to the First Friday’s Art Walk. The art walk on the first Friday of the month always draws large crowds, but previously many people left early – that doesn’t have to be the case tonight. 

It will be interesting to see how the extended hours are received by the community. It is my opinion that the numbers will be watched very closely. Kind of like a “use it or lose it” trial period. Hopefully, this period will be another economic boost to business owners along the line and will provide riders, workers, and travelers the benefit they have asked for.

Anyone that reads this blog probably already knows that I like to watch for fun things to do along the light rail line. As far as fun is concerned, I am also a huge fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Yep, even when they are a few games behind in the standings.

A few weeks ago, I noticed a “tweet” about an upcoming “Singles Night at Chase Field” on Friday July 10th. While I am probably the most happily married man on the planet, the event screamed “fun” to me and to many of my single friends. Taking the light rail to a baseball game is a great time in itself, but throw in a night of hanging out in the Miller Lite Diamond Club where Cuervo Silver will host a complimentary tequila tasting at the beginning of the game, along with other sponsors of KISS FM, KNIX Mix 96.9 and FOX Sports Arizona, and you have the makings of a sports fan’s dream. If you are not familiar with the Diamond Club, don’t pass up this chance to buy your $15.00 ticket for singles night ( use promotion code: singles) where you will have some of the best seats in the house. The Miller Lite Diamond Club is an upscale club located in right field on the main concourse level at Chase Field featuring a pool table, 11 plasma televisions, a chef preparing food, and a full-service bar. Plenty of standing / mingling is possible in the Diamond Club with cool lounge style seating. I was thankful for the opportunity this past week to tour the Diamond Club with my new friend, Allison who was very gracious in providing information about this event.

For $15.00, you can hardly go wrong. And, with the extended hours of light rail beginning to kick in, there will be some great opportunities to go hang out with a bunch of new friends after the game. Said baseball fan Paul Martinez of AZ Hardball: “I think it is a good opportunity for people to check out the stadium and meet people of similar interest. Regardless of how the team is doing, it will be fun.”

Diamondback fans have been using light rail in huge numbers. I hope to see more fun stuff to do at the games. In fact, we are still waiting on word of their first “tweet-up” at Chase. You know, kind of like their neighbors did a while back. :-)

Photo by RailLife

The 2009 4th of July Fireworks shows in Phoenix and Tempe are almost here. Enclosed is more information on what to expect this weekend! If riding light rail to these events, make sure you are aware of the enclosed information to make your day/night even more enjoyable.

For immediate release:  METRO July 4 service plan

METRO will run all available trains to service event goers attending July 4th celebrations along the line.

System capacity will be maximized.  Passengers should expect crowds on board the trains, at METRO park-and-rides and potential delays.  METRO requests that passengers be patient and plan ahead.  Post-event, expect to wait in a queue line.

One line that can be completely avoided this holiday is the line at the fare vending machine with the advance purchase of the July 4th pass.  Purchase this special transit pass by visiting Central Station or the Tempe Transportation Center through July 3. 

Service schedule
July 3 weekend is the start of METRO’s service extension on Friday nights / Saturday mornings and Saturday nights / Sunday mornings.  July 3, 4 and ongoing on weekends, METRO will provide service until past 2 a.m. Although Saturday, July 4, is a holiday, METRO will run normal Saturday service.  Additional trains will be utilized to support event traffic.
A detailed service schedule can be viewed here":

Phoenix event goers: METRO is a convenient way to attend the Fabulous Phoenix 4th taking place at Steele Indian School Park.

For arrival, eastbound passengers coming from the North or West Valley should de-board at the Campbell/Central Ave. light rail station.  Westbound passengers coming from the South or East Valley should de-board at the Indian School/Central Ave. light rail station.  Both stations are even walks to the park’s Central Ave. entrance at Glenrosa.

For departure, return to the station from which you arrived.  If heading back eastbound, use the Indian School/Central Ave. station.  If heading westbound, use the Campbell/Central Ave. station.  Splitting passenger traffic between the two stations will keep shorter lines in each station’s queue. 

Tempe event goers: METRO is a convenient way to attend the July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival at Tempe Beach Park.

All passengers should plan to arrive and depart from the Mill Ave./3rd St. light rail station. For departure, the queue line will be located on Mill Ave., north of 3rd St.  Staff will assist passengers to the east or westbound platform.

Parking: METRO park-and-ride lots are free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis:

Montebello/19th Ave.
19th Ave./Camelback
Central Ave./Camelback
38th St./Washington
Dorsey Ln./Apache Blvd.
McClintock Dr./Apache Blvd.
Price 101 Freeway/Apache Blvd.
Sycamore/Main St.

If any of the lots become full, please try the next closest park-and-ride.  For example, if the park-and-ride at Sycamore/Main St. reaches capacity, try the Price 101 Freeway/Apache Blvd. park-and-ride – it typically has greater availability.

METRO and its city partners have identified overflow parking opportunities along the line for this date only:

Park Central Mall – Earll Dr., west of Central Ave.; designated “retail only parking” spaces.

38th St./Washington – east of 38th St. and the METRO park-and-ride; Gateway Community College parking lot.

Dorsey Ln./Apache Blvd. – north of Apache Blvd., west of Dorsey Ln.; behind retail building.

Price 101 Freeway/Apache Blvd. – southeast corner of the METRO park-and-ride; accessible using the same entrance.

Safeway – north of Main St., west of Sycamore and the METRO park-and-ride.

East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) – south of Main St., east of Sycamore; use entrance off of Longmore.

Notes: Event goers should purchase an all-day pass for roundtrip service.  An all-day pass costs the same as two one-ride passes and only requires one visit to the fare vending machine.  Platinum Pass/U-Pass users, validate before each ride.

More important news from Metro concerning tomorrow’s light rail fare increase! Please note: The following information is from Metro, not from me! :-)

It is crucial that this message be disseminated and understood by all Valley Metro bus and METRO light rail passengers.

1) Purchasing fares at the farebox or “on-board” the bus will cost more tomorrow (Wed, July 1). The local bus/METRO light rail/LINK All-day bus fare increases from $2.50 to $3.50. Purchasing this same All-day fare at the BUS farebox will cost $5.25.

2) Purchasing fares in advance will save riders money.

3) You can purchase a fare in advance at: METRO light rail station fare vending machines, online at valleymetro.org, transit centers, some public libraries, Safeway grocery stores, and Fry’s Foods. For a full listing, go here:

4) Why does the All-day pass for local, express and reduced fares now vary? Because purchasing fares at the farebox or “on-board” the bus slows down the boarding process for everyone and makes it more difficult for the bus to stay on schedule. 90% of our All-day passes are purchased on the bus—but now we have doubled our locations to purchase fares making it more convenient to save money.

In case you didn’t know, June 29 – July 5th is Independents week. People all over are joining our friends at Local First Arizona in celebrating the fact that, by shopping locally owned businesses, our dollars can help build a sense of place, a higher quality of life and a stronger economy.

“ we're celebrating the 7th anniversary of National Independents Week! A week in which we encourage you to go local. Local businesses everywhere are linking arms to remind you that we are the backbone of our economy.”

Many celebrations are scheduled through out the week in honor of Indie Week. Two great examples are “Lunch Local” and the 3rd annual “Coffee Crawl” in downtown Phoenix.

Lunch Local will be held at Maizie’s Cafe which is located just South of the Central and Camelback light rail station.Join the celebration this Wednesday, July 1 from 11:30am – 12:30pm and have lunch with some of the great Local First crew and Mayor Gordon. A “Phoenix Philly” sandwich will be on special all week. 

The 3rd annual Coffee Crawl is Thursday, July 2 from 7:30am – 9:00am. Participants will travel between  Lola Coffee, Lux Coffee Bar, Copper Star Coffee, Pink Spot Coffee and Ice Cream and Fair Trade Cafe. According to Local First, “We'll be spending about 20 minutes at each stop and riding the Light Rail  between Lola and Lux, and again after Pink Spot to Fair Trade.

These two fun events are just a small sampling of the celebrations of the week. Many locally owned businesses all over the state are offering discounts during Indie Week. For a list of participating businesses, visit Local First to download your “Golden Coupon.”