METRO Max one year later
Posted on 06. Feb, 2010 by Tony Arranaga in Featured, News
As usual, I had a great time during First Friday reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. In case you don’t know, First Friday is a monthly art walk in Downtown Phoenix (here). Unfortunately, I never made it to any galleries – but I did make it out to enjoy some of the great restaurants along the lightrail. First, I met my friend Anne at NINE 05 where we tried the new Spicey #1 Tuna Tartare (with crispy coconut rice and bonito). Then I headed to the Phoenix Public Market and Royal Coffee Bar to hear the live music (here). Next up, dinner with my friend Tim at Local Breeze. Finally, I met up with the crew at Amsterdam and then took the train up to George and Dragon to wrap up the night. I’m bringing all this up because I started the night on a mission. I armed myself with a Valley Metro METRO Max card in my wallet hoping to find a discount here and there. Not one place knew about the card. I flashed the card and got a ‘what’s that?’ – few businesses even knew the discount program even exists. You may recall, METRO unveiled the METRO Max program back when the light rail first started service a year ago. People could download the card for free and use it at participating businesses. The program is/was meant to bring people back downtown after a year (or more) of construction on the new transit system left the streets torn up and kept many local shoppers away.
Since so many new businesses have opened up along the line in the last year, I think METRO should take another look at the program and work to bring more businesses on board with the discount. Or maybe we can should take matters into our own hands and have local businesses offer up a discount on their own when a customer presents a card. Whatever the case, I think METRO should update the program and re-educate the public on what could be a very valuable tool to stimulate business in Downtown Phoenix.
If you want to check out the program for yourself, head to Valley Metro’s website here.
Andrea w/ METRO Community Relations
08. Feb, 2010
We are in the process of evaluating the METRO Max program.
Tony Arranaga
09. Feb, 2010
Hey Andrea! Thanks for commenting! I hope ‘evaluating’ is a good thing… this could be a great program for Downtown Phoenix if we could get more businesses on board!
While we’re on the subject…
If I could make a couple suggestions from a user standpoint: the METRO Max web page has a lists of businesses by station. I think listing them by service and then station would make more sense.
Speaking of the station listings… they should be named and not numbered. I have no idea where station 10 or 13 or even 18 is located. I think the neighborhoods along the light rail would rather have an identity other than a number between 1 and 21.
Again, thanks for commenting!
Chloe
15. Feb, 2010
Hi Tony,
Just wanted to drop a note and say I have similar experiences with businesses scratching their heads when I present the card. I have had a little luck though. Smelly Dog (a great place for dog washing) on 7th Ave honored the card for a 10% discount, even though it was set up by the previous owner.
Chloe