Local Bands Play Live to Commuters

Posted on 08. Nov, 2010 by Tony Arranaga in News

Phoenix transit agencies Valley Metro and METRO Light Rail kick off a huge community education campaign to inform people about alternatives to driving a car. Here is the official release from the METRO Facebook page.

(Media alert from our sister agency Valley Metro RPTA)

Local bands play live to commuters

PHOENIX (Nov. 4, 2010) — Six local bands have written and recorded 11 original songs about how to use public transportation as part of a new community education effort to help Valley residents try environmentally friendly modes of travel.

“Surveys and research revealed there was widespread unfamiliarity about how to use public transportation across greater Phoenix, and that was a barrier to giving the system a try,” says Mario Diaz, chief marketing officer at Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority. “So we asked local bands to record – in their own unique way – the various things you need to know in order to get out of your car and use public transportation instead.”

Each original creation describes a different aspect about using the Valley Metro system, such as how to buy fare, passenger courtesy, safety near train tracks and buses, or how one fare pass can be used on both bus and light rail. The 11 topics were selected based on common passenger questions at Valley Metro’s customer service line and from the top questions city transit departments receive. Participating local bands are: Black Carl, Captain Squeegee, Elvis Before Noon, Mills End, Peachcake, and What Laura Says.

Songs and videos will be available online at www.ValleyMetro.org/Notesbeginning on Monday, Nov. 8.

I love the videos! First off, I love the School House Rock feel of the videos and I think it’s a great way to promote using public transportation in the Valley of the Sun. What do you think?

Looks like locals singing about public transportation is all the rage these days. Check out my friend Yuri Artibise and his post about musicians who love light rail.

Related articles

• Local Bands Record Songs About Using Valley’s Public Transit System (prnewswire.com)
• Light Rail Riders Facing Surveys and Inspections (raillife.com)
• METRO Hours of Operation (lightrailblogger.com)

Tags: METRO light rail, Phoenix, Phoenix, Valley Metro, What Laura Says