Just got an email from one of the organizers of the Light Rail Pub Crawl.
“The event was a success for sure, we had over 300 people out and about,” Merlin Ward of RPM’S tells me.  No word yet on how much was raised.
Does that mean a number two could be in the works in the very near future?  Hmm..
A encore would be FANTASTIC.  After all, I did miss out on purchasing an official t-shirt the first time around.

KinkySharyo, the name of our little train that could, is proving opponents of light rail wrong again.  Remember those predictions of a weak economy derailing our new mass transit system?  This weekend, light rail is tooting it’s horn in the face of naysayers.  The trains will take part in a pub crawl on Saturday. Participating passengers will drink to raise money for one of the largest food banks in the Valley.  OMG:  our trains not only carry passengers but they also drum up business.  No way!  But I want to know why the event organizers, who operate a members-only car service here in the Valley catering to the bar crowd, are embracing light rail?

After the jump, RPM’S and pub crawl organizer Merlin Ward answers that question.

LRB questions in bold

MW:Thanks again for this opportunity to interact with you
and your readers. I’ve posted answers to your questions below and
attached a press release for your reference.

Help
me out here guys, you run a car service in the Valley for people who
don’t want to drink and drive, so why are you bringing light rail into the equation?

MW:Its true, Responsible Partying Made Simple is a membership service for
people to avoid DUIs in luxury. We service all over Metro-Phoenix, but
lets face it we can only do so much. To solve a problem of that
magnitude it takes the joint-efforts of the bar patrons and the
transportation services. RPM’S recognizes and support all efforts and
alternative transportation options that help patrons get home safely.
The light rail is perfect for people who live near stop or people from Scottsdale or East Valley who want to save some money on taxi fairs into Phoenix.

There’s been a couple loosely organized pub crawls along the line lately, what is different about yours?

MW:The
RPM’S Light Rail Pub Crawl is a city-wide event. We’ve put together an
extensive list of bars, clubs, and restaurants all offering drinks
specials to participants of the pub crawl. We’re not just a group of
friends looking for a night of fun. This is the city celebrating it’s
nightlife! Also, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to St.
Mary’s Food Bank. Each shirt sold will help feed 7 people!

At the
end of the night, will RPM’S take crawlers from where they parked their
car to hop on the light rail at the beginning of the event?
MW:RPM’S will be offering a select few people rides home at the end of the
evening. We encourage everyone to be safe and take a taxi home, find a
DD, or crash a friends place off the light rail.

Where’s your favorite watering hole along the line and why?
MW:I’ve
always been a huge fan of the Big Bang, but have been exploring more
and more of the Phoenix locations with the light rail. There are a lot
of hidden gems out there!

Thank you Merlin! 

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