Car sharing competition in Downtown Phoenix
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by Tony Arranaga.
Zipcar might want to take a look in the rearview mirror. Enterprise Rent a Car wants in on the car sharing action in Downtown Phoenix. You may have seen me talk about my love-hate relationship with Zipcar’s convenience and how it’s helped make living car-free much easier (DPJ). (I try and take the lightrail or [...]
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10 easy ways to promote neighborhood events along light rail
Posted on 26. Jan, 2010 by Jim McPherson.
February is right around the corner, and what does that mean? Why the start of oodles of historic home tours in central Phoenix, that’s what. Willo is February 14, Coronado (Brentwood) is February 28, and Windsor Square is March 7.
The two “W” neighborhoods border light rail, and that got me to thinking. [...]
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Alternative transportation growing pains
Posted on 23. Jan, 2010 by Tony Arranaga.
Let’s face it – Downtown Phoenix is not New York. Phoenix is not Los Angeles. Phoenix is not Portland. Phoenix has alot of growing to do when it comes incorporating alternative transportation into everyday life. Major cities like San Francisco and Chicago built hubs around neighborhoods, which makes socializing much easier. This is not the [...]
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The future of lightrail service in Phoenix
Posted on 17. Jan, 2010 by Tony Arranaga.
Fact or fiction: does METRO plan to cut back lightrail service starting in February? This is the word on street in Downtown Phoenix, however METRO spokesperson Hillary Foose says that is incorrect:
We are contemplating service changes as a result of a lack of sales tax collections, which largely funds our operation. We will be going [...]
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Downtown Phoenix pedicabs
Posted on 14. Jan, 2010 by Tony Arranaga.
The other night after hanging out at the Phoenix Public Market wine bar, I tried out our pedicab service in downtown Phoenix for the first time. What a cool and green way to experience the heart of Phoenix! Since this was my first time, I had no idea how to hail one. I mean, I [...]
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GateWay on the lightrail
Posted on 09. Jan, 2010 by Tony Arranaga.
Looks like METRO has a campaign underway to encourage students at a local community college to not only use lightrail and a nearby station. One of my readers (Jim) alerted me to a commercial for GateWay Community College which not only showcased the school but also made a point of flashing the words ‘take light rail [...]
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Downtown coffeebar offers discount to people on bikes
Posted on 04. Jan, 2010 by Tony Arranaga.
Royal at the Market has a deal for those who ride their bike to the downtown Phoenix coffeebar. Hayes the owner tells me he’ll give you a 50 percent discount on any coffee drink when you come to the store with your bike. What a great way to start the new year! Royal is located [...]
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There’s an app for that
Posted on 04. Jan, 2010 by Tony Arranaga.
Last year, I wrote a post about an iPhone app for METRO light rail in Phoenix. We can take it for a test drive together here. Already familiar with the product? What do you think?
UPDATE: a review
I had a chance to use the app today for the first time and I loved it! The mobile [...]
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New and noteworthy near the lightrail
Posted on 01. Jan, 2010 by Tony Arranaga.
New business is sprouting up everywhere near the lightrail in downtown Phoenix. Recently Yoga Den set up digs at the new-ish Alta Phoenix Lofts at 3rd Street and Pierce. A flyer from the studio says they have unlimited monthly sessions for $29 (first month only). You can find Yoga Den online here, or in person you can [...]
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Snapshots
Posted on 30. Dec, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.
Five noteworthy topics or interesting posts over the last 365 days
The missing art at the McDowell station (post)
The late night light rail service makes the city come alive, but only temporarily (post)
No car, no bike… (post)
Surviving the heat (post)
Going carfree (post)
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One year later
Posted on 27. Dec, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.
Exactly one year ago today, tens of thousands of people in Phoenix lined up on station platforms to ride the light rail for the very first time. Shortly after that first day, I decided to leave my car in the garage and use the trains to commute to work. The experiment that was only supposed [...]
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Downtown Phoenix landmark set to close
Posted on 21. Dec, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.
A Phoenix landmark will close its doors after nearly four decades in business. Circles Discs and Tapes, located at the corner of Central and McKinley and next to the lightrail, will remain open until the end of the year, according to store employees. The enployees also said the owner is selling the building, which sits just [...]
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Rider appreciation day on METRO rail
Posted on 19. Dec, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.
Even though the official anniversary date is still a week away, METRO celebrated one year of mass transit in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. How did METRO help passengers celebrate the occasion? The transit agency and several local businesses along the 20 mile starter line got together and offered up prizes, discounts and other freebies for [...]
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Gift ideas for the transit geek
Posted on 17. Dec, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.
Whether you’re stuck on what to buy your carfree friend or you want to encourage others to drive less, I’ve come up with a list of reasonably priced gift ideas that will enable people to make the transition from four wheels to two. More and more people are becoming familiar with the benefits of exploring [...]
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METRO celebrates first year success in Phoenix
Posted on 09. Dec, 2009 by Tony Arranaga.
METRO lightrail will celebrate one year of service on December 27th, however transit managers in Phoenix are planning an official event on December 19th, according to a release.
Why a week earlier? I just got off the phone with METRO spokesperson Hillary Foose who says she wanted to avoid having a celebration a) on a Sunday [...]
