Expect packed light rail trains on Wednesday

Posted on 11. May, 2009 by Tony Arranaga in News

METRO plans to use all available light rail trains on Wednesday as two large events take place in the Valley on the same day.

President Barack Obama is set to give ASU’s commencement speech at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, while the Arizona Diamondbacks play the San Diego Padres in a night game at Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix, both events take place along the light rail.

“While system capacity will be maximized, passengers should expect crowds on board the trains and at METRO park-and-rides,” METRO spokesperson Hillary Foose said in an email alert.

Foose recommends passengers bring along some patience, plan ahead, and give yourself more time to travel to your destination.  Trains are expected to have standing room only, and you may have to wait for more than one train to complete your journey.

ASU officials are recommending an early arrival at Sun Devil stadium.  Gates open at 1:30 p.m. and you’re encouraged to arrive no later than 5 p.m.  METRO is asking light rail passengers coming from the East Valley to de-board at the University and Rural light rail station.  Passengers coming from Phoenix and the West Valley should de-board at the Veterans Way and College light rail station.  Bus shuttles for ticketed passengers will be provided from these two stations to the stadium’s north entrance from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The walk to the stadium from these two stops is 3/4′s of a mile according to the METRO release.  Volunteers and signage will be on hand to direct crowds to the event.

Security restrictions prevent the train to operate in front of the stadium for nearly four hours starting at 6:00 p.m.  Bus shuttles will operate in place of the light rail between the Veterans Way/College and University/Rural stops during this time.

While all this is taking place, baseball fans will pack Chase Field for a 6:40 p.m. game and will need to plan on these restrictions near ASU when traveling to and from the East Valley.

Click here for a list of park-and-ride lots along the light rail, which operate on a first come first serve basis.  METRO has made arrangements with city partners to provide overflow parking at Park Central Mall, the east side of 38th Street at Washington (Gateway Community College), and an area next to the Price 101 Freeway/Apache park-and-ride.  Click here for Valley Metro’s trip planner.

METRO estimates the peak riding hours on the light rail will take place between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and then again from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Click here for more news and information on the ASU graduation.

Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Barack Obama, Chase Field, Tempe