Phoenix Business Journal - Sunday, December 28, 2008: Ninety thousand people showed up on opening day Saturday as Metro light rail made its debut through Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe.
Curious crowds were out Sunday as well, helping push toward Metro’s prediction of nearly 200,000 riders on the rail line’s first weekend, said Hillary Foose, Metro’s public information officer, who was in the middle of the fray both days.
Security efforts were visible with bomb-sniffing dogs taking a tour of facilities before trains arrived as well as armed Transportation Security Administration officials helping local police make sure Metro light rail’s first day was a safe one.
Saturday’s activities included 12 parties along the line, including a major celebration in downtown Phoenix, she said. Riders waited several hours in line at some stations. "It was a community event, people from across the Valley joined in," she said.Regular service will begin Monday at 4 a.m. and run through midnight, however, regular fees will not take effect until Jan. 1. For more: www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail.
Curious crowds were out Sunday as well, helping push toward Metro’s prediction of nearly 200,000 riders on the rail line’s first weekend, said Hillary Foose, Metro’s public information officer, who was in the middle of the fray both days.
Security efforts were visible with bomb-sniffing dogs taking a tour of facilities before trains arrived as well as armed Transportation Security Administration officials helping local police make sure Metro light rail’s first day was a safe one.
Saturday’s activities included 12 parties along the line, including a major celebration in downtown Phoenix, she said. Riders waited several hours in line at some stations. "It was a community event, people from across the Valley joined in," she said.Regular service will begin Monday at 4 a.m. and run through midnight, however, regular fees will not take effect until Jan. 1. For more: www.valleymetro.org/metro_light_rail.
We were a part of the historic grand opening on Saturday, standing in line and traveling the light rail with standing room only crowds, enjoying a wonderful winter day in sunny Phoenix.
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