I’m in Phoenix, Arizona this week on business and today had the chance to check out the brand new Valley Metro Light Rail servicing the area.  If you’ve spent much time in Phoenix, or in Arizona in general, then you know from experience that the car is king.  But this new Light Rail system is providing a much needed cost effective alternative to the automobile that goes through some of the busier sections of town.

Plus for tourists, the set up can’t be beat.  A fare pass costing $2.50 will get you around town, with unlimited rides, for an entire day on both the Metro Light Rail and Bus systems.  When you take into account the extra high cost of rental cars from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport and the fact that the minimum cab fare in Phoenix is $15.oo, the cost and efficiency - to say nothing of the environmental benefits - of using the Light Rail and accompanying public transit is a no brainer if you’re trying to save on transportation expenses.

To see more of the Valley Metro Light Rail, the newest public transit system in the United States, check out the photo essay of my trip below.

Phoenix is one of the most spread out Metro Areas in the country, where the car rules supreme.

But the new Light Rail line takes advantage of all the open space by integrating the Light Rail tracks and stations into the wide boulevards of the city.  Something that would be impossible in a denser city like New York.

Fare Pass Machines are located at the end of each station.

$2.50 will get you unlimited rides for the entire day on both the Metro Light Rail and Local Bus systems.

Shade is at a premium in the merciless Phoenix sun.

Here comes the train.

Despite it being a little past noon, the train was relatively crowded.

The route of the Light Rail goes straight through Central Avenue in Downtown Phoenix.

One extra cool feature was easy to use bike racks on which up to four bikes can be hung per car.

You can takepart in pushing for more public transit options like the Valley Metro Light Rail by checking out Reconnecting America.

LINKS:

Arizona Republic: Stimulus aid rolls in but won’t cover transit needs

KTAR: Light Rail attracts small business to downtown Phoenix

Arizona Republic: Metro lists busiest Light Rail stations