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Getting There: Find true love on Valley Metro bus
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Here’s a word you’d never associate with public transit — romance. But Valley Metro wants you to think of love, at least for a day.
GRAPHIC: East Valley roadwork update
The transit agency is hosting speed dating on a bus for young singles this Saturday as it tries to convince potential riders there are some unconventional reasons to ride a bus — or to get some enjoyment out of it.
Sure, a bus can save gas money, give you time to read or take cars off the road. But Valley Metro figures this could get young people to try something they haven’t because that age group moves around a lot and may not have become familiar with transit options.
“It’s really just a fun way to introduce them to our bus system,” said Tara La Bouff of R & R Partners, the public relations firm that pitched the idea to Valley Metro.
Anybody looking to find their true love on the bus can sign up at cupid.com, the dating site that sponsored the same event last year. It’s believed to be the only speed dating event on a bus, La Bouff said, but was popular enough a year ago that cupid.com wanted to do it again. The cost: $47, but Tribune readers can enter code less50 to get half off. Daters must be 27 to 41 years old.
The agency will run one bus in Scottsdale this Saturday, with up to 30 people aboard. Daters will gather at Suede nightclub in Scottsdale before a 90-minute ride. Women will stay seated, and the men will move to a new partner every time the bus passes a stop. Afterward, the daters will continue to mingle at Suede.
The bus won’t replace a regular one, but will run a special route without picking up passengers.
Even if riders don’t find love, La Bouff said the goal is to spread the message that commuting can be about more than getting from Point A to Point B.
“There might be unexpected moments, such as finding a new friend,” she said.
TRAFFIC INFO
The Super Bowl’s here — along with lots more traffic for game-related festivities.
If you need quick information about directions to events or traffic info on the go, call 511 or go to www.az511.com.
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