Everyone seems to diss on the light rail but I am a fan. Now with that said, I know it is slow and does not go to all the places I need to go so it is not enough to give up my car like I would, say, if I moved back to NYC.
Sadly, one cannot rely on this system really to get around fully but it is great to the airport and venues downtown, especially Chase Field for a baseball game. It takes you right into Chase. ( 1-2 bucks versus 20 to 60 bucks so a good money saver) As of 1/25 it starts/end at Metro Center and ends in east mesa so you can get to Downtown Phoenix, ASU, and other points in-between.
It is cheap and if you are senior even cheaper. Buck a ride for Seniors. I think 2 or 2.50 if not a senior. Airport shuttle is close to a hundred so definitely a great deal. The only down thing on the airport is our system does not have overnight parking for your car like other cities have. You will have to be able to walk or get dropped off at one of the train statins. For me, luckily I live right across the street from one Light rail station so it is nice to get me to Skyharbor. I can walk to and from.
If you do not park overnight no worries there are plenty of park and ride places to catch the train. Just a tip be careful your concert or special event does not get out until late around 11pm or so and you miss the midnight last train and you get stranded. Found that out the hard way one time on my birthday. lol
I was sad to see the city of Glendale stop the project because at one time it was suppose to go to State Farm Arena but no more. I work PT there and would love to take the train to work. I never understand why the 5th largest city in the USA does not have a better public transportation system.
A lot of folks say the train is unsafe. Hogwash. I have never had an issue but homeless people do not bother me at all. I am not a person who is afraid of my own shadow.
Sometimes on the train I have seen something new as of fall 2024 people are selling things on it. I believe that might be illegal but no one ever bothers me. That is weird and probably should not be allowed but like I said they do not bother me and i have other battles in life to worry about. Besides I am used to all that in my travels especially on the NY subways. In Mn I saw a buck or is it butt ( lol) naked guy on the train in the middle of Winter. lol and a Pick Pocket in Madrid. The adventures in travel series. I could write a book.
I think the last time a woman was selling herbs or oils and perfume. Shrugs shoulders. We all gotta survive. I myself would not buy anything, especially anything edible from a stranger, but some folks were. She did not even ask me though. She just walks through announcing her wares.
It did take me by surprise at first but only because that was new to me in PHX. Common in other places. I had never seen that before here locally. I am sure it might be a rare thing since security is usually tight on the train system platform, especially on big event or game days.
i do not take the train often but I know people who take it daily and have zero problems with it. It is a good service if you live centralized. I wish it went to more places. read more