So I was on the first train, at 10 AM on Saturday, Dec. 27th. I have ridden the train every day since, mostly to Tempe and back, but a couple times westbound. I've ridden it to do grocery shopping, go to dinner, go drinking, celebrate my birthday, hell just about everything. My truck has been driven once since the first day of service, and I've ridden my motorcycle maybe 4 times.... its been 9 days folks.
This thing changed my daily routine for the better. I understand I could have done the same thing with a bus, but the bus only ran every 30 minutes and took forever and was uncomfortable and was so small if there was a smelly bum you couldn't get away from him. The train has changed it all for me.
What's keeping it from 5 stars? The same thing that everyone else is complaining about, the running hours. I'd love to not have to leave the bars at 10:40 to get a ride home. It's also very inefficient running through the city. I can get from the 12th street station to Mill Avenue in 16 minutes which is about 11 miles. In the meantime, it takes about 23 minutes to get to Camelback, which is half the distance. Also, I do feel very insecure at the Eastlake platforms at night time. I wish they could do something to at least give you the illusion that you are safe.