Phoenix light rail: functional and fashionable

Posted on 12. Nov, 2008 by Tony Arranaga in News

Just got back in from running errands, and of course, I had to drive by the line on Central Ave in Phoenix to see what was up with the Metro light rail.

Lots of activity around lunchtime! Two LRV’s (light rail vehicles) were connected at a time…testing the tracks and getting lunchtime commuters used to seeing the light rail on streets. Check it out.

I was surfing for some tid bits of info for today’s post and came across an AZCentral interview with Jim Swanson, vehicle program manager for Metro light rail.

Swanson oversaw the design of the train, and it’s interesting to see how they created a vehicle with the passenger’s comfort and safety in mind.

Tinted windows for the sun, metallic paint to reflect the light, and more AC for the passenger than the typical light rail train in North America. “I’m quite optimistic that we’ll be setting a new standard for North American light-rail vehicles,” says Swanson in the article. You can read it here.