“We saw an opportunity to partner with METRO Light Rail to penetrate the downtown market where our customers work while giving them a moving piece of art to appreciate right outside their windows. We’re a local business and wanted to support our local public transportation system which connects us to customers we share.”

-Hyman Sukiennik, Vice President/Cox Business

Also in the release from Cox:

The creative concept came from R&R Partners which commissioned New York artist, Chris Buzelli on behalf of Cox Business. Buzelli’s oil paintings have been featured in the pages of Rolling Stone, The New York Times and US World News & Report. The art featured on the train is an original oil creation and part of a six part series that will be seen in different mediums.

You may recall, METRO decided last year to reverse an earlier decision and allow advertising on trains and platforms to raise revenue after a budget shortfall. Now you know the backstory to some of the advertising that you see on our light rail system in Phoenix.

A commenter over on ABC15.com made an interesting observation about the new METRO lightrail advertising wrap.

At night,… it’s going to look like a “space” between railcars,… -just enough space for a distracted driver to squeeze through.

-Laser Jet on ABC15.com

Grand Canyon University is one of the first to advertise on light rail vehicles, pictured below.  I took the picture as the train pulled up to the McDowell station around 11pm on Sunday night.  What do you think?  Is the wrap too dark?  Just right?  Whatever your thoughts on the subject, this is a good time to remind your friends that there are trains rolling through Central Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. Please be aware of all traffic signals near the tracks.  For more information on safety around the light rail, or to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road near the tracks, check out Valley Metro’s website here.

There were many things that impressed me about Seattle’s new Link Light-Rail system on Saturday, but one thing that stands out the most is how Sound Transit makes use of advertising space.

I saw several mini billboards like the one above, each of them showcasing a different Montana landscape.  The pictures were stunningly beautiful, and at the top was a web address were you could find out more details about   tourism and winning a trip to the state.

The next picture is inside the University Street station.

I love how the Chase Bank ads are all uniform.  Taking a look around, Chase was the only business at this station to display ads, which I think is a great idea.  Too many ads from different companies would look too busy.

Selling ad space on trains and naming rights at the stations has been a newsmaker in Phoenix over the last few months.

You may recall the METRO board of directors recently reversed a policy, which now allows advertising both on the trains and platforms.  The ads are expected to generate $1.6 million dollars a year.  No word on who will purchase the advertising.

More news and information on the topic can be found here.

A shortage in revenue is forcing the Valley’s transit board to look at advertising to make up some of the difference.

Mike Branom reports a system-wide policy adopted before light rail construction started would have to be changed.  The policy bans the use of ads on trains and platforms.

Here’s a portion from Branom’s story.

Under a proposal put forth by Metro staffers, ad space would be sold in the forms of wrapped trains and stations, floor decals and small televisions on trains and kiosks and posters at stations.

Transit agencies throughout the country sell ad space, and even new systems like the one in Las Vegas are taking advantage of the empty space on the sides of trains and buses. A company called More riders has a product with stop specific ads (audio or video) featuring nearby merchants.
There are also some controversial ads like the ones in Chicago, and recently an ad campaign in Canada, where God was the subject of debate.  The website Oddee has some of the more comedic images gracing transit.

Locally, The Light Rail Blog reports 10 METRO trains could be wrapped, but it’s not clear exactly how much could be generated because of the sharp decline in the economy.  You can read the proposed policy as reported by Scott Holstege here.

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