Here I sit in PHX Sky Harbor International Airport, having just taken a ride on the new Valley Metro Light Rail System. Serving Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa (Phase 1, with more to come), the system just opened in December 2008. Having watched its developmet every year while here for an annual conference, I just had to take a ride. The system was well signed, the cars nice and spacious, and I was happy to see the 4-car train fairly crowded even at 11.40am on a Tuesday. While plainly lacking the street-cred of a more time-honored system like the MTA, CTA, London Underground, etc, whenever a major city opens a new public transit system, it is a good thing. Go PHX! Your Cardinals may have lost the big game, but your new light rail system is sweet. Costs $1.25 each way, $2.50 for an all-day pass, and is 25 minutes from downtown Tempe to downtown PHX.
It always sort of freaks me out when you can walk right up to a train like that, when it’s not underground or high on a platform. I think the rocket in Toronto is like that? Or was it Vancouver? It’s so shiny!