Jay’s note: I asked Nick Bastian, a local Phoenix Realtor and light rail expert to provide a post on the upcoming Phoenix light rail. Nick contributes to the fabulous RailLife.com web site and blog — which have pretty much anything you’d ever need to know about the light rail project in Phoenix. Thanks Nick!
A new Light Rail System is coming: What’s in it for me?
In case you haven’t noticed, there is a new Light Rail system coming to town. If you don’t live or work along the 20 mile stretch of track that will run from Phoenix to Tempe and into Mesa, you might not know much about it. So, what if you live in Gilbert or in Glendale, in Scottsdale or in South Phoenix? Why should you care? Well, here are a couple of examples of how the “casual” user can have some fun and learn how to ride light rail.
Soccer Moms – Not every day is game day and little Johnny or sweet little Suzie just might like trains. (kids think trains are COOL!) So, take a fun trip. Go to one of the ends of the line, use a “Park and Ride” station and head out to a museum or a fun restaurant. Did you know that there is a great Arts Community along the line featuring a BUNCH of museums, concert halls and cultural spots that would make a great “field trip” with the kids?
Sports Fans – C’mon, everyone in AZ loves the Diamondbacks, the Suns and the Devils, right?!? What are some things you don’t like about the games? How about traffic and paying to park? Guess what… Problem solved. By using the above mentioned Park and Ride stations, you park for FREE and can be driven to the game and brought back to your car when done. (just $2.50) How cool will that be?
Need a few more ideas? How about… New Year’s Eve, Oktoberfest or the Tempe Arts Festival on Mill Avenue? Forget the parking nightmares, take light rail. Maybe you live in the EastValley and want to try the Farmer’s Market on Central Avenue or check out the First Fridays Art walk? Would it be more fun to have someone else drive? How about a fun weekend get away? Stay at a hotel along the line and use the light rail to take you to restaurants, shops, concerts, sporting events. Need more ideas? Stick around, we got em’!
Photo Credit (used with permission)
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Jay, thanks so much for allowing me to write here and for your kind words. I was really honored when we first talked about it. (still am!)
**Nick Bastian´s last blog post..Metro’s Light Rail Bridge wins award
Jay, Public Transportation is exactly what our governments should be investing in to make the economy work. NJ should have a Mono Rail or Light Rail System in place that follows our highway the Garden State Parkway from North to South. It would be the same as in the 1950’s doing an InterState Highway system. And, now that the economy is broke and we still don’t have it, we should be drawing up the plans and breaking ground.
That government project would stimulate the economy and provide jobs. After it is completed there will be millions of opportunities for small business to set up and make money.
Good Luck with your system.
YES! I’ve been waiting for the light rail to be done for several years. It looks pretty slick – hopefully it gets used a lot.
I agree with Gregory – we need more projects like this throughout the U.S.
Thanks for the info – Nick
Nick – my pleasure. I live way off the actual light rail line, but I think you make a great point about utilizing the Park and Rides. The system doesn’t have to take you from doorstep to destination to be useful. “Doorstep to Destination” — I just made that up. I’m kinda proud of myself.
LOL – I’m proud of you too Jay – you better copyright that before some big travel company or something similar makes millions from it.
The Phoenix Real Estate Guy
“Your Doorstep to Destination Agent”
ha, “Doorstep to Destination” – yet another term for Jay to rank high with…
**Nick Bastian´s last blog post..Free ASU Football tickets from RailLife.com!
I’m in North Phoenix and hadn’t considered the sports game possibilities. At only $2.50 a trip, that will leave money left over from a 20 spot usually used for parking to buy a few beers. Yay
We are suppose to be getting light rail in a few areas around the Fort Worth and Arlington areas
Yup, a light rail is really important for us.
I am very excited about the light rail in Arizona. It will be exetremely easy!
As a blogger myself, I really enjoyed this post.
**Jeffrey Buettner´s last blog post..New FlexMLS Tutorial – Contacts
Ahh about time they got light rail! This should be interesting to see when I next visit.
It is really good to have a public transport system as it not only saves fuel but also prevents environment from excessive pollution.
To bad this is not in Florida in the Miami area. There is a lot of traffic down here and the population has increased. The light rail would be very useful here.
Austin is implementing a system over the next few years. One of the stops is biking distance from my house so it should be pretty nice to go downtown without having to spend 20 minutes playing the “find an open parking spot” game.
1.4 billion for a transportation system that basically goes nowhere and has limited hours. Only a true train enthusiast could get excited about that.
What??? their just spending too much to a train that’s going nowhere…