The “Break it Down” Blog

Just got this news sent in from Todd Swarthout… he lives in Atlanta, about Phoenix getting ready for the Grand Opening of the Valley Metro light rail this December… here in Arizona… where I live (I didn’t even know about this).

Light Rail Pricing

• 1 ride $1.25
• All day pass $2.50
• 3 day pass $7.50
• 7 day pass $17.50
• 31 day pass $45

Senior, youth, disabled – Half-price on all fares listed above

Fare enforcement is done using a “proof of payment” system. You can basically be asked for proof of your ticket at any time. You may not be asked and could get lucky, but we’d encourage you to support the development of public transit… it’ll make everyone’s lives easier in the long run.

Train Service Schedule

• Weekdays
  • Service Starts at 4:40am
  • Service Ends at 11:00pm
  • Every 10 mins from 6:00am to 7:00pm
  • Every 20 mins outside that time block
• Weekends
  • Service Starts at 5:00am
  • Service Ends at 11:00pm
  • Every 15 mins from 6:00am to 7:00pm
  • Every 20 mins outside that time block

Travel Times

• Entire 20-miles: 57 mins
• Downtown Phoenix to Downtown Tempe: 23 mins
• Downtown Tempe to Downtown Mesa: 15 mins
• Downtown Mesa to Downtown Phoenix: 37 mins
• Chris-Town Mall to ASU Tempe Campus: 42 mins
• Chris-Town Mall to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport: 32 mins
• Downtown Phoenix to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport: 14 mins

Check out the full list of stations where you can get picked up/dropped off to see if light rail is in your area (you probably would have noticed it already I suppose). At launch there are 28 stations covering the 20-mile run.

Coverage Map

Right now the light rail system cuts right through down-town, with future plans out to 2012 to expand to particular areas, you can get an idea of what is covered now as well as future expansion planned by checking out their map here:

(Click to Enlarge)