Metro extends hours for Insight Bowl, party

Mandy Zajac, Tribune

December 30, 2008 - 6:21PM , updated: December 30, 2008 - 8:34PM

Thousands line the street as the Oklahoma Marching Band performs along Mill Avenue during the Insight Bowl Fiesta Block Party in Tempe in 2006.

Tribune File, Freedom Communications

It's been awhile since Nick Bastian's been to a bowl game. What was once a family tradition for the Tempe man has fallen by the wayside as he's married, had children and built a real estate career.

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But this year, Bastian's back in the game, so to speak: Today, he's going to the Insight Bowl in Tempe, and he'll arrive by Metro, the Valley's new light-rail system.

"To be honest, I'm really not that into the teams that are playing," says Bastian, who runs RailLife.com, a Web site devoted to the dawn of light rail in the Valley. "It's pretty much because of the train that I'm going. In a way, it's historic; it's the first bowl game in Arizona you can ride a train to. I think it's cool."

The game between the University of Kansas and University of Minnesota starts at 4 p.m., just an hour before Tempe's Insight Fiesta Bowl Block Party, an annual fete with a turnout around 100,000. With the combined events, officials are anticipating a demand for rail travel, and Metro will extend its operating hours to shuttle football fans and revelers to and from the district.

The last trains of the night will depart at 2 a.m. Thursday, with all passengers reaching their destinations by 3 a.m., said Metro spokeswoman Hillary Foose. Ordinarily, the last trains depart at 11 p.m.

Foose advises passengers to make their way to the closest rail station as the 2 a.m. hour approaches. For those who care to leave earlier, trains will arrive every 15 minutes at most stations, including the Mill Avenue and Third Street station, the gateway to the game and the block party.

Rides on the trains are free; Metro won't start charging for rides until 4:40 a.m. on New Year's Day.

Cassie Davis, spokesperson for the block party, says taking the train is a good option for people who would rather avoid roadways on New Year's Eve.

"It's an easy way to stay the whole time and not worry about traffic at the end of the night," Davis says.

Being able to take the train to the party is a welcome change for Scottsdale resort concierge John Vandercook, who plans to ride with about 10 friends.

"It's my birthday, so we're going to go out and have fun all night and have a safe ride home. We won't have to worry about driving home or spending money on a cab," said the 24-year-old, who lives three blocks from a Phoenix rail station.

For those who live farther from the line, there are four park-and-ride lots in the East Valley and four more in Phoenix. Parking is free, but overnight parking is prohibited.

Getting there

If you don't live within walking distance of a light-rail station, you'll need to drive to one of the line's eight park-and-ride lots (four are in the East Valley). It's free to park, but overnight parking is prohibited. For more info visit Light Rail Rider's Guide.