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Thousands of Valley Riders Pack Metro
Light Rail Trains on Opening Day
By Eduardo Barraza
BARRIOZONA
December 27, 2008
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 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.
Copyright © 2008 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
Grassroots Journalism
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In spite of cold weather, long lines and crowded trains, tens of thousands of passengers ride the new
transportation system among celebrations.