| Bilingual Community Expression Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
December 27, 2008 (BARRIOZONA)
Phoenix brought to an end Saturday its
long-time reputation of being the
largest U.S. city without a public rail
transit system. With 1.6 million people,
Phoenix is the fifth-most populous U.S.
city, concentrating more than 4 million
inhabitants in the Phoenix-Tempe-Mesa
area, where the new light rail has
stations in a 20-mile stretch.
It is still uncertain if this shiny new $1.4
billion light-rail system will make
motorists change their commuting
habits to hop out of their cars and ride
the new trains.
Light rail critics continue to question if
the huge economic investment in this
new transportation system will
compensate the number of people who
would actually be willing to substitute
the comfort of their air-conditioned
vehicles for the light-rail system.
Average high summertime
temperatures in the Phoenix
metropolitan area fluctuate between
100 and 115 degrees. People will have
to be willing to wait and sweat at light
rail stations.
Public officials were jubilant and all
hopped in trains after the
ribbon-cutting ceremony that took
place at the Metro Operations and
Maintenance Center.
As U.S. congressmen, city mayors and
members of city councils inaugurated
the system, they also announced plans
that project building 30 plus additional
miles of light-rail lines by 2025. The city
of Phoenix had a trolley system but it
became inactive about six decades ago.
Some think that the current economic
crisis could persuade motorists to ride
the light rail, since supposedly
commuting by train will be cheaper
than travelling using a vehicle. The light
rail is also expected to help reduced
traffic congestions, and improve the air
quality in Maricopa County.
Similar train systems have been built in
recent years in cities like Dallas,
Denver, Houston, in Texas, as well as
in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tens of thousands of riders were
attracted to ride the light rail during
the opening day Saturday, and around
noontime train cars were packed with
hundreds of passengers. At some
stations people had to wait for several
trains before being able to board.
Phoenix brought to an end Saturday its
long-time reputation of being the
largest U.S. city without a public rail
transit system. With 1.6 million people,
Phoenix is the fifth-most populous U.S.
city, concentrating more than 4 million
inhabitants in the Phoenix-Tempe-Mesa
area, where the new light rail has
stations in a 20-mile stretch.
It is still uncertain if this shiny new $1.4
billion light-rail system will make
motorists change their commuting
habits to hop out of their cars and ride
the new trains.
Light rail critics continue to question if
the huge economic investment in this
new transportation system will
compensate the number of people who
would actually be willing to substitute
the comfort of their air-conditioned
vehicles for the light-rail system.
Average high summertime
temperatures in the Phoenix
metropolitan area fluctuate between
100 and 115 degrees. People will have
to be willing to wait and sweat at light
rail stations.
Public officials were jubilant and all
hopped in trains after the
ribbon-cutting ceremony that took
place at the Metro Operations and
Maintenance Center.
As U.S. congressmen, city mayors and
members of city councils inaugurated
the system, they also announced plans
that project building 30 plus additional
miles of light-rail lines by 2025. The city
of Phoenix had a trolley system but it
became inactive about six decades ago.
Some think that the current economic
crisis could persuade motorists to ride
the light rail, since supposedly
commuting by train will be cheaper
than travelling using a vehicle. The light
rail is also expected to help reduced
traffic congestions, and improve the air
quality in Maricopa County.
Similar train systems have been built in
recent years in cities like Dallas,
Denver, Houston, in Texas, as well as
in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Tens of thousands of riders were
attracted to ride the light rail during
the opening day Saturday, and around
noontime train cars were packed with
hundreds of passengers. At some
stations people had to wait for several
trains before being able to board.
| BARRIOZONA |
| Thousands of Valley Riders Pack Metro Light Rail Trains on Opening Day |
| In spite of cold weather, long lines and crowded trains, tens of thousands of passengers ride the new transportation system among celebrations. |
| Photographs and text by Eduardo Barraza |
ABOVE: This light rail train was used as a backdrop for the inaugural ceremony.
The sunset added an spectacular view on Saturday morning.
CENTER: Public officials during the ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place
Saturday at the Metro Operations and Maintenance Center in Southeast Phoenix.
BELOW: Trains were packed by noontime on Saturday. A young woman
realizes she will have to wait for another train at the Encanto/Central Avenue
station, while train passengers show their excitement.
The sunset added an spectacular view on Saturday morning.
CENTER: Public officials during the ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place
Saturday at the Metro Operations and Maintenance Center in Southeast Phoenix.
BELOW: Trains were packed by noontime on Saturday. A young woman
realizes she will have to wait for another train at the Encanto/Central Avenue
station, while train passengers show their excitement.
PHOTO GALLERIES Opening Day | Monday, Dec 29 | WATCH VIDEO | VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
metro light rail
| MULTIMEDIA COVERAGE |
Photo by Eduardo Barraza | BARRIOZONA
| PHOTO GALLERIES Opening Day | Monday, Dec 29 | WATCH VIDEO | VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL |