Relaxing way to go downtown. My son is starting school downtown, and we took the light rail yesterday. We drove to the very spacious parking lot on Dunlap and 19th. We parked as close as we could. It wasn't crowded at all so we got a good spot. Tip: get a car sunshade for the summer. We went purchased a Reduced All Day Ticket for $2 for my son, and an All Day Ticket $4 for myself. The kiosks take credit card and also cash.
The trains are clean and well air-conditioned. The emergency button is near the handicap access chairs that flip down. There is a bike rack. There are free pamphlets showing Valley Metro access to popular tourist destinations.
We waited for less than 5 minutes and then boarded the train. To travel 7 stops, it took 20 minutes. The train wasn't crowded at all. We had a person who did not respect the headphones rule and blared his music filled with cuss words. We moved to a different part of the train.
No one checked out rail passes during my 4 trips yesterday. No one checked my rail pass previously. I wondered if some people hopped on and off the light rail throughout the day considering it as their "free" mode of transportation or a way to escape the blazing heat.
On my of my trips, a young man asked an older man if he could have his drink because he wa thirsty. The old man did not have any more. A young woman offered him the rest of her Powerade. The man was grateful. On another ride, an excitable woman engaged in conversation with me when she heard I was thinking about traveling to Arizona Mills. I learned from another passenger that the light rail was a convenient way to go to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. On my noon commute to Central and Campbell, it did get crowded. I regretted that my bottom was so huge and noted that I should lose more weight so I could fit the light rail seat better.
The light rail is a great way to minimize driving in car-congested downtown Phoenix, a fun place to people watch, and a relaxing ride most of the time. I can't wait to go to downtown Tempe this weekend and also might try going to PHX Sky Harbor this way next time I travel.