News updates are sent daily. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Light-rail riders will get 5 free days
Digg|
Save|
License|
Print|
E-mail|
Commuters and the curious will have five days, rather than just two, to ride the Valley's new light-rail line for free.
The board of directors for Metro, the agency responsible for the 20-mile line, voted unanimously Wednesday to push back the beginning of revenue operations from Dec. 29 until New Year's Day.
Metro's original plan was to begin charging passengers after a weekend of celebrations.
But the directors said it was important to for free ridership to take place when commuters would use the trains most.
"I don't think you need a whole week, but you need a couple of work days in there," Mesa Vice Mayor Kyle Jones said.
Also, with Tempe hosting college football's Insight Bowl and the annual Block Party on Dec. 31, directors also mentioned the opportunity to draw more passengers if they knew of a no-charge alternative for getting to and from the events.
The game and New Year's Eve festivities draw about 200,000 people, and Metro estimates 10 to 12 percent of the attendees will take trains to Tempe.
Finally, as Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman noted, the five free days allow people to ride "and not be made to feel stupid" because they are still learning how to purchase fares.
Metro officials said "ambassadors" will be posted at stations, available to teach prospective passengers exactly that.
Three days of no revenue will cost Metro between $50,000 and $200,000, staffers told the board.
But Hallman warned against overstating that loss. He said many of the people who will ride for free would never have boarded in the first place, had they been required to pay.
Please add your comments, but follow these guidelines to keep this a safe, credible place for discussing the news: