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.

Tony asked me to be a guest blogger while he’s traipsing around Spain and the Netherlands, no doubt spending the majority of his time comparing and contrasting U.S. versus European rail systems.  Uhh, maybe not.

In mulling over what I should blog guest-wise about, I conjured up my previous two posts on this site: 10 easy ways to promote business along light rail and 10 easy ways to promote neighborhood events along light rail. Do you see a trend here?  Do you see where I’m heading?

While I could be charged by Sheriff Joe with redundancy, I’m still not sure everyone and everything within shouting distance of the METRO light rail line is taking full advantage of what light rail can “bring to the table” for them.  Are clients or meeting attendees dropping by your office via light rail (and not having to worry about where-to-park-where-to-park)?  Are Red Hat Society ladies dining at your restaurant?  Are suburbanites tinged with nostalgia attending your historic home tour?  If the answer is “no” or “you mean they can really do that?,” then peer down to the appropriate bullet point:

• If you’re a business, go here.
• If you’re a neighborhood group, click now.

So here’s the twist to this trifecta of “10 easy ways.” Upon review, I’ve noticed that a combination of tips in the previous two lists can apply to the numerous arts and cultural sites along light rail that add so much to the quality of life of our communities.  Since National Arts and Humanities Month is coming up in October, it’s time to start a-plannin’.  And because artists are known for going “over the top,” let me go over the top as well by listing not just 10 – no, no, no! – but 20 easy ways to promote arts and culture along light rail:

1. Add nearest light rail stop and map on your website.
2. Add light rail stop on any press release you issue.
3. Add light rail stop on any print ads you do.
4. Add light rail stop on any billboards you do.
5. Add light rail stop on your business card.
6. Add light rail stop on your e-mail auto-signature.
7. Communicate light rail news and information in your patron print or e-newsletter.
8. Provide a link to METRO’s Arts and Culture Ride Guide.
9. Communicate targeted messages on your exterior signage or marquee.
10. Use social media to communicate to light rail fans and advocates.
11. Pitch stories about patrons who use light rail to METRO and the media.
12. Advertise on light rail buses and stops (if the budget allows).
13. Adopt a light rail stop.
14. Create a light rail special discount, possibly through Culture Pass.
15. Create a light rail special menu item or drink (if you serve refreshments on-site).
16. Participate in the Metro Max program.
17. Ensure affiliate groups possess your most updated information, including your light rail stop (e.g., showup.com, Arizona Commission on the Arts, and your city’s office of arts and culture).
18. Host a light rail meet-up.
19. Incorporate a light rail or transportation themed activity into your programming (e.g., a play, a musical piece, a gallery showing).
20. Surprise light rail passengers with a spur of the moment performance.

Now here’s a paragraph for all of you who are scratching their heads and saying, “I’m not an employee of an arts or cultural organization.  What’s in this blog posting for me, me, me?”  How about this?… With all the talk swirling around our heads about economic boycotts, stay-cations, and buy local, now is a good time to be cultural tourists in our own backyard — not only to benefit our arts community and local economy, but for our own mental health as well.

To you regular Joe’s and Josie’s out there, get out! To you arts and cultural groups out there, get the word out!

Arizona Asian Festival Heritage Park (3rd Street and Washington light rail station)

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Pittsburgh Pirates Chase Field (3rd Street and Jefferson light rail station)

Outrigger Regatta Tempe Town Lake (Mill Avenue light rail station)

Phoenix Fringe Festival (various locations)

Information on how to ride the light rail can be found here.

Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the historic Westward Ho hotel (618 N Central Avenue, near Central station). In its heyday, the building was an economic engine for the area. The hotel fell on hard times and is now a home for low income senior citizens. The common areas on the ground floor are stunning – beautiful, ornate detail in the architecture and design give the visitor a glimpse of what times were like back when crews first built the structure in 1928. Standing 208 feet, the building was the tallest in the state, a title held for almost four decades (source).

The ground floor has two fairly large open spaces, both of which look out to Central Avenue. I hear a restaurant owner is considering one of the spaces for a brewery – a good idea since the building is a short walk from two light rail stations. What would you like to see here?  What do you think would be a good fit in this part of town? Be sure to post your comment below.

This blog post is part of a 30 day blogging challenge (#30daybc) with friends Irene, Seth and Ryan. Please take a moment to check out their blogs.  Thank you!