(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)

Friday 4:40 a.m. (1st full trip) –  2 a.m. (last full trip, arriving at opposite ends of line at 3 a.m. Saturday)

Weekday Frequency Trains arrive every 12 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; all other hours, every 20 minutes.

Saturday 5 a.m. (1st full trip starting at the end-of-line stations) –  2 a.m. (last full trip  arriving at the opposite end of the line at 3 a.m. Sunday)

Sunday 5 a.m. (1st full trip starting at the end-of-line stations) –  11 p.m. (last full trip  arriving at the opposite end of the line at midnight)

Frequency Trains arrive every 15 minutes Saturdays between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. All other hours, and on Sundays and holidays, trains arrive every 20 minutes.

METRO trains may operate more frequently during special events to accommodate large crowds. METRO and Valley Metro share the same holidays.  Click here for a list of transit holidays.

Saturday, October 30th

Ben’s 20th Annual Halloween Party at the Clarendon Hotel (Central at Indian School METRO Station) must be good if the shin dig is going on 20 years!

White Rabbit’s Halloween Disco at the Ghost Lounge at the Hotel San Carlos (Central at Van Buren METRO Station)

Monster Ball at the Alwun House (Ride your bike from the Central / Roosevelt METRO Station) will have costume revelry and prizes, a cabaret show, and monster art.

Sunday, October 31st   Happy Halloween!

Freaky Tiki at Hula’s Modern Tiki (Central at Camelback METRO Station) will have a costume party/fundraiser for Phoenix Children’s Hospital

The Halloween Monster Ride is a costume bike ride in North Central Phoenix starting at Gallagher’s (noon)

A SideBar Halloween (Central Ave at McDowell Rd METRO Station) means you can keep the party going until 2 a.m.

Remember that METRO will operate regular Sunday hours with the last full trip starting at 11 p.m. and returning to the yard by midnight (basically, you’re taking chances if you wait until 11:30 p.m. to catch the train). See also how to ride the light rail or bus in Phoenix and this light rail map.

Creating a super fun and clever adult Halloween costume is easy-breezy thanks to a variety of stores along the light rail in Phoenix. Whether you want to be a sexy doctor, slutty nurse, or some take on pop culture, you’ll find it on my list of Halloween Costume Shopping Along the Light Rail.

Easley’s Fun Shop (McDowell Rd / Central Ave Station) is the granddaddy of all costume shops. Family owned and operated, the store has everything to complete your ensemble. In fact, most Yelp reviews about Easley’s made the comment you can find almost anything here, even when you think there’s no way they’ll have what you need. Sales associates can even show you how to apply makeup, as Marty F. noted on his review. Easley’s is located at 509 W McDowell Road, which is just a short bike ride or walk from the McDowell at Central Ave Light Rail Station.

Retro Ranch (Campbell at Central Ave Station) is a Melrose District landmark which specializes in vintage styles, funky pieces, and retro looks. Heidi P. reviewed Retro Ranch on Yelp and says RR has a “crazy awesome clothing section!” Heidi also says the store is packed to the gills with great finds at shockingly low prices. Retro Ranch is located at 4303 N 7th Avenue, seven blocks west of the Central at Campbell METRO Light Rail Station. Take your bike or be prepared for a good walk.

Seconds 2 Go (Camelback Rd at Central Ave Station) is a great place to find gently used clothes and feel good knowing your purchase will help victims of domestic violence. S2G is not in the business of costumes: Seconds 2 Go will help complete your look with everyday clothes at thrift store prices. Seconds 2 Go is located at 4747 N Central Avenue in Phoenix, across the street from the light rail station. Find Seconds 2 Go on Yelp.

The following two items on my list are for mature audiences, so please tell the children to leave the room.

Castle Boutique (Camelback Rd at Central Ave Station) will help bring out your inner bad girl or boy. What’s inside? Just take a look at Jetta R‘s Castle Boutique Yelp review to find out. Here’s a quick rundown: Handcuffs, naughty nurse outfits, and blow up dolls. Surely, there’s a costume here! The store is located at 300 E Camelback, which is three blocks from the light rail.

Off Chute Too (Indian School Rd at Central Ave Station) is also for mature audiences. The store caters to the alternative crowd where men and women will find trendy clothing lines, jewelry, leather, shorts (or leather shorts?), and fetish wear. However, that description on their website misses the mark. Judging from these fierce lace gloves mixed with a tough pair of boots,  I see Off Chute Too as the place to go for an 80s punk or glam rock look, no? Off Chute Too is located seven blocks from the Indian School Station, so take your bike or be prepared for a bit of a walk. Store information can be found on the Off Chute Too Yelp page.

I stress out over Halloween because I’m costume challenged. I can come up with a plan, but committing and executing the plan are difficult. This year, I really have to find something good since I’m helping to promote Freaky Tiki – a Halloween costume party at Hula’s Modern Tiki on Sunday night. I’ve got four three days… I better go shopping! See you at Hula’s!

Most of the stores above are local and independently owned. The car-free lifestyle has taught me many things, especially the importance of buying at local. More tax dollars go back into the community when you shift the way you shop. Learn more about the Shift Arizona Campaign here: (http://shiftarizona.com).

Light Rail Map

I wanted to make you aware – and please share where/how you can – that METRO and its security partners will conduct increased fare inspection and enforcement beginning on Monday, Oct. 18, through the next four weeks.  Below is the Rider Alert being shared with passengers to alert them of this activity, but moreover, emphasize the need to pay for your ride.

Foose says there are several reasons why this four week program is taking place. METRO wants to increase visibility of the officers.  provide equity for the fare-paying customer, and combat a common customer perception of fare evasion. Foose also mentions the program – and the presence of the transit police – will keep the safety and security of the system high. Here is the Rider Alert from METRO:

Increased fare inspection on light rail

Beginning Monday, Oct. 18.

Validated fare is required to board light rail.  Pay for your ride by buying and/or validating your fare media at METRO station fare vending machines prior to boarding.  Fare inspection will be increased this and next month in an effort to enhance the visibility of officers and emphasize the importance of paying for your ride.

Surges occur routinely as part of METRO’s ongoing effort to keep safety and security high on the light rail system.

Passengers might also see the fare inspectors use a new pass reader.  All pass types will be swiped and/or read by this machine to ensure their validity and log the different pass types being used by riders.

To view the different pass types and how to validate them, visit the fare media guide.  Validation varies and can occur once a month or several times in one day depending on your fare media. For more information, call Customer Service at 602-253-5000 or email info@metrolightrail.org. Fare information can be found here and find out where to purchase a fare card here.