Phoenix's Brand New Light Rail Extension!

Phoenix! A city known for its car dependency. Has just opened its newest extension of the Valley Metro Rail! Let's look at what Valley Metro has been doing for transit in the city of Phoenix and the future of transit in the city!
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[@AlphabetSoupABC]

Ironically, Phoenix's wide roads and low-density sprawl make it the perfect place to build new, because there's so much room to build and the city can grow up around the transit. Building all these lines is going to help a lot more people go car-lite, which will only increase demand for more transit. Also glad to see they're planning ahead with the connections, the new developments, and the modern practical stations. Phoenix really seems to be making the most of what they have.

[@connorgreenwall3052]

Phoenix has way more potential than people give it credit for. I believe the future is bright. I’m looking forward to the opening of Central Station (a mixed use transit center with commercial space and student housing) as well as the future south central and capital expansions. We also need future expansion to Westgate and Superstition mall, however.

[@user-cl6yx3mt8o]

Credit to burn down from triple digit temperatures

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

If you want to experience a nice transit oriented area check out the Paseo Del Saber streetcar stop. Sit in the courtyard and just watch and eat.

[@Gdavras]

I agree! Westgate and the Mesa gateway airport need connection for sure.

[@coyotelong4349]

Agreed, we just need continued investment in transit infrastructure. The NIMBY people need to educate themselves on the benefits

[@vincentra8849]

Don’t talk shit when they have to maintain those bridges. They do get expensive.

[@JuliasCesar]

Now THIS is how you build public transit in North America. The new elevated extension makes sense and needs to be standard when cities look to rapid transit* and LRT systems. What looks super nice is the system looks clean and safe! I’ll have to check this line out sometime when I visit the states from Canada!

[@williamhuang8309]

I really don't like LRT or streetcars/trams on completely or mostly grade-separated routes. After all, if your LRT is completely grade-separated, then haven't you built a metro? LRT vehicles are designed for operating at grade, not in a metro-style environment.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

​@@williamhuang8309 LRT and streetcars/trams _can_ be of metro quality! Examples: Docklands Light Railway, London REM, Montreal Green Line, Boston Newark Subway, Newark New Jersey DART Central Expressway subway, Dallas Sound Transit subway, Seattle MUNI Metro, San Francisco Regional Connector and C Line, Los Angeles Skytrain, Vancouver

[@mrxman581]

​@williamhuang8309 First off, light rail and streetcars are much different than light rail and heavy rail. Streetcars are better to operate in a closed loop for much shorter distances and slower speeds. However, light rail lines that run on dedicated ROWs and/or are grade separated (partial or fully) make a lot of sense in cases where you need to cover longer distances and not need the capacity of a heavy rail system. Most heavy rail is constructed as a subway, and that is much more expensive than building light rail. LA Metro is a good example of what I'm talking about. LA has 4 light rail lines and 2 heavy rail (subway) lines. The backbone of LA Metro's system will always be light rail because it's less expensive to build and LA County is very spread out geographically. It's 4800 square miles and LA Metro is responsible for providing public transit across the whole county and not just the city of LA. LA's light rail lines are all at least partially grade separated, run on dedicated ROWs, and have at grade, aerial, and even subterranean stations. Though we are also expanding our subway where it makes sense. It really is the best of both worlds and is a great solution for LA Metro.

[@williamhuang8309]

@@mrxman581 The issue isn't the corridor the trains are running on, it's the type of train being used being unsuitable for the corridor. The vast majority of LRT systems in north America use low floor trams which are designed for operating on street and not a completely grade separated corridor because of their low top speed (45mph generally) and suboptimal interior layout. One aspect LA metro gets right is that it uses high floor trams on high platforms which means the system is able to operate like a metro (albeit with lower capacity and less grade separation) with interiors that are configured for longer distance and still being able to hit higher speeds of 65mph. But that's not what most American cities are building. Seattle's light rail system is mostly grade separated (ie built like a metro and just as expensive too) but uses low floor trams which have bad passenger circulation, making them bad at operating on such a corridor. Seattle should've used high floor vehicles like metro trains or high floor trams which have articulated sections for tighter turns like LA metro. However, LA's light rail still isn't very suitable for very long distances because the stops are somewhat close together and the street running is painfully slow. The system averages 25 to 30mph and it takes an hour to go from the airport to downtown. For massive cities, suburban rail with large high floor trains and wide stop spacing provides higher top speeds of 40 to 50mph is best (metrolink but with actually good schedules and high performance trains).

[@vincentra8849]

I’ve seen so many one of them infrastructure bridges that didn’t get to last very long. Possibly less than 50yrs. AZ heat means lot of stress towards materials. Concrete structures don’t last very well. It will get expensive to repair little cracks here and there. Sure it is good idea to invest to good public transportation. But it will be costly.

[@brianholmes1812]

I am blown away by the quality and quantity of transit projects going on in phoenix! Props to Valley metro and Arizonan urbanists for not just doing it, but doing it well!

[@F4URGranted]

I'm so hyped that the extension actually finished EARLIER than expected!! Who knew that was possible in this country?

[@jmlinden7]

Phoenix, unlike many other cities, has plenty of construction workers available. There's definitely a lot of benefits to that.

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

That’s because Phoenix is ALWAYS under construction. Whether if it’s a light rail stop or adding a lane to a freeway it’s always something. Not a bad thing though.

[@jmlinden7]

@@CityLifeinAmerica Yup. If you want something built on time and on-budget, you build it in Phoenix. That's why Intel built their biggest factory there.

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

@@jmlinden7Lol what? So California has a construction worker shortage?😂 Arizona is just a well run state. That’s the reason. I get a pothole on my street? I just create a service request and they fill it up asap. Tempe, where I live has pretty good transit and great roads.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Exactly, elevating stations are very much a great thing, especially for a light-rail system! This reminds me of the 8th Street extension of the HBLR in Bayonne, NJ that opened in 2011. Just like this extension, it was a short extension from 22nd Street which opened in 2003. Like much of the HBLR, it uses a former railway right-of-way, with the Bayonne section being a former Central Railroad of New Jersey right-of-way, however NJT opted to build a viaduct for HBLR on the right-of-way between 22nd Street and 8th Street. Before the original CNJ station was demolished in 1979, besides having service to the former Communipaw Terminal (now part of Liberty State Park), 8th Street also had service across Newark Bay. When they built a new 8th Street station for the HBLR, they chose to build a replica of the 8th Street CNJ depot. Another great example of elevating stations is the Babylon Branch on the LIRR. It was all level crossings when it opened as part of the South Side Railroad of Long Island in the 1860s, and this became a problem as more people moved to the South Shore and Sunrise Highway was built next to it, so a megaproject by the LIRR was launched in the 1950s to elevate, with Massapequa Park station being the last in 1980! With Sunrise Highway, there is parking to lure people off the highway and NICE and SCT buses serve the stations as well, with the addition of Jones Beach bus service from Freeport making it possible to go to Jones Beach concerts by transit!

[@mrxman581]

LA Metro also has about half a dozen aerial stations on their light rail lines.

[@marshmallows5641]

First off, sorry for the giant wall of text. I got some things to say. 😅People are so quick to dunk on Phoenix! But, it has so much potential. While I don’t think it should be as big, sprawling, and built like a suburb. It existing is totally fine. People have lived in Phoenix for a long time. The canals are ancient irrigation ditches. There are obviously a lot of issues. But, it has it’s moments, it really does. The light rail from the airport is only 3 stops (not counting 44th) from both downtown Phoenix, and downtown Tempe respectively. Not many other bigger cities can say that! The first stop in downtown Phoenix, you have 2 sports arenas. Downtown is great. Valley Metro does just fine for a car-dependent city. There’s 3 more planned extensions for the light rail. And for where it ends now in the west, it could easily be expanded into Glendale, Peoria, and the rest of the West Valley. One note about the stations, if I’m remembering correctly… Is that the canopy overhang things are designed for sun protection at all angles! The bus network is pretty expansive. For every major aerial road, and corridor there is a bus. The numbering is based on the street grid blocks. Which is why Central Avenue is Route 0. As Central divides the numbered streets to the east, and number avenues to the west. You can get pretty much anywhere in the city by bus. Especially in Central Phoenix. It’s pretty awesome that you can take a bus to under a 10 minute walk to one of the trailheads for Camelback Mountain. And that’s not the only nature you can get to by bus. You don’t need a car to see some of the beauty of the Sonoran Desert! On top of the conventional bus system there are express, and rapid routes. They’re not full on actual BRT but hey it’s something! However, there is some BRT for the city planned! Throughout The Valley, there are a number of free neighborhood circulator routes. Notably, the ones for Maryvale, Sunnyslope, and the ones around ASU and downtown in Tempe. Obviously, the every half hour headways aren’t ideal. And going from Phoenix to another city, or suburb in The Valley you’re looking at 3 buses or 2 and the light rail to get there. And with those longer headways and scheduling it can take awhile. But, with a car-dependent city that’s what you get sadly. The Tempe Streetcar is fine as well. Glad that exists too. You could argue, yeah it’s kinda redundant. But, for the area it’s nice for the people who live, and go to school there. Transfer to the light rail is good, there’s 2 places to do so. And again that easy connection to the airport. I’m not too familiar with the bike infrastructure. But, there are bike lanes! Aside from the transit stuff, I wanna also say that Phoenix could very well be a great example for how hot cites deal with climate change. Things they’ve done like, planting more trees, using the cooler pavement, and making the street lights better in terms of light pollution. Are all a start. You’re right, Phoenix isn’t doomed, and people should give it a chance. 💜🧡

[@patlynch6517]

Try the Arizona canal (arching counter-clockwise from Scottsdale, biltmore, to northern Phoenix). The bike trail goes underneath main roads, which means you can bike ride 10 miles without have no to stop for car traffic!

[@jwgregory1969]

I'm the Rail Systems Engineer at VMR and we are proud of this extension.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Interesting Tempe fact is that pioneer Darrell Duppa is credited with suggesting Tempe's name, adopted in 1879, after comparing the Salt River valley near a 91-meter-tall butte, to the Vale of Tempe near Mount Olympus in Greece. Valley Metro opening this station in Phoenix shows that urbanist progress is very much possible anywhere, a place like Phoenix shouldn't be written off when as shown here, even they are building transit. Having not only an elevated station but one that has a bus terminal as a feeder to the light-rail is how you get people riding transit! Even better that they're transforming that mall into a walkable transit-oriented community! If you build it, they will come! A reminder that in NYC, stations like Junction Boulevard in Queens and Bay Ridge-95th Street in Brooklyn had nothing around them when they first opened! The subway stations motivated development!

[@Nam3y123]

Phoenix is a city that always interests me, in large part due to their plans. As an advocate I find myself gravitating towards "getting better" more than "currently good", so Phoenix's plans always excite me to see. I don't think I would ever live in Phoenix, but I am interested to see its system grow.

[@KingDavidinPhoenix]

I live in Phoenix, and have for over 30 years. I wouldn’t get on a city bus or that light rail train if you paid me good money. Both are overrun with crime. This city’s public transportation is a sick joke

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

@@KingDavidinPhoenixStop exaggerating lol. I’ve taken it plenty of times and it’s not bad at all. Think you need to turn off the news.

[@KingDavidinPhoenix]

@@user-cr1iz8fw6h I don’t watch the news, so I don’t know what the news would have to do with this?

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

@@KingDavidinPhoenixride every day well into the late night. This ain’t LA metro lmao. It’s perfectly safe. Now if you want crime go ride LA Metro and you’ll be wishing you never ragged on Valley Metro.

[@ClassyWhale]

The new northwestern terminus reminds me so much of Allegheny Station in Pittsburgh! Elevated terminal station for a mostly ground-level system

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

It reminds me of 8th Street on the HBLR! Also an elevated terminal for a mostly ground-level system (Bergenline Ave station being the other outlier since it's underground).

[@iteky]

They have actually already started construction on the TOD plan. They are currently demolishing the interior of the mall and some apartments are already under construction on the other side. Great video and I love your content! Nice to see someone who doesn’t only complain about Phoenix. Also something else exciting about the extension is it opened early and under budget.

[@bschubert17]

Great coverage of Valley Metro Light Rail (and the Tempe Street Car shoutout)! I've lived in Phoenix for 10+ years, am in the process of moving to live along the Light Rail line to take advantage of walkability, and I am incredibly proud of our growing transit system and the countless amounts of work that have gone into advocating for any mode of transit that is not a personal vehicle. We have so much work to do -- and also so many reasons to celebrate.

[@patlynch6517]

I have a place near valley metro light rail. Relatives and friends comment about how horrible Phoenix is, Before they visit. Then they visit, and remark that Phoenix is different, and much better than their expectations!

[@Westlander857]

Thanks for giving Phoenix a fair shake. There’s a lot of misconceptions about it. While sprawl is still a big problem, the city and county have been very proactive about building new transit projects and more walkable, high-density housing. The new streetcar in Tempe you mentioned has been a massive success, and extensions are already being planned. There are more light rail extensions and BRT in the works as well. Phoenix deserves more credit, for sure.

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

Yep. Tempe is pretty awesome tbh. Great for transit and driving. Should be a model for the whole country.

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

@@user-cr1iz8fw6hI love Tempe. It really is best of both worlds here. On days I take my car it’s easy and on days I use the bus it’s easy and comes quick. Why can’t most US cities be like this?!

[@robertm.9515]

Woah let's go Pheonix transit. Hopefully those walkable developments can get built because the metro really needs them with those massive Pheonix roads.

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

Nice to see that the Valley of the Sun doesn't suck quite as much as it did when I left in 1976.

[@lavenderw]

thank you so much for coming to phoenix! its awesome to see our progress being covered! personally, i'm very excited for the future of urbanism and transit in the valley and am really looking forward for the opening of even more extensions soon. for anyone wondering, here's a basic gist of everything (that i could think of) happening/that has happened recently, now, or soon with transit in the valley: so the northwest 2 extension to the former metrocenter mall just opened this past weekend which this video was focused on the southcentral extension is currently under construction, and should be operational by late 2024 / early 2025 i think. (its crazy how much construction is going on downtown for it, i was there earlier this week and it was very in your face how much construction equipment was out there and how much work was being done, which was cool to see). this extension was touched on in the video. the capitol extension is most likely delayed due to a really stupid provision in a spending package (i think it was a spending package?) that barely squeaked thru the legislature and governor hobbs was pretty much forced to sign as far as i know that essentially halts any extension to or close to the capitol for now (according to some reporting, the republican sponsors of the blockage only blocked it so they wouldnt have to see the light rail) so because of that, its unclear how that extension and the western one to the desert sky tc will play out, but i think ive seen a reroute via grand avenue being considered to add to the light rail extensions, the tempe streetcar could be extended east down rio salado and eventually south on dobson due to higher than expected ridership, but its too early to tell exactly whats going to happen as far as ive seen. i havent heard anything abt the 35th ave brt that got selected as the city's first brt corridor for a while now, but keep an eye out for that project as for local bus services, back in october there were a lot of service upgrades with many routes (particularly in central phoenix) being upgraded to frequent service (mostly 15 minutes headways between ~6am-7pm and 30 minutes on night and weekends) which is a step up from the previous generally 30min frequencies. in addition there were some route extensions and changes. so yeah, the future is bright and sunny (get it?) with many expansions to transit here in the valley both recently, under construction, and planned hope this helps elaborate on the video :)

[@danielportillo9266]

Actually the new route for the Capitol Extension is going to be made next month and shown during the in-person meetings and online meeting

[@lavenderw]

@@danielportillo9266 got it thanks for the update!

[@danielportillo9266]

@@lavenderw You're welcome!

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

They already chose a new route for the capitol extension, it’s on their website.

[@danielportillo9266]

@@CityLifeinAmerica Oh yeah you're right 👍🏻

[@whoisthatkidd2212]

As someone who takes Valley Metro to work, it saves me a boatload of money as I dont need to own a car because of it. Without the light rail, living car-free in Phoenix would be literally impossible. With that said, Valley Metro has several expansions planned but its been a uphill battle because of extreme local NIMBYism and a hostile state legislature. Valley Metro LRT also lacks grade separation so the speed is limited to ~35mph. This is too slow to be competitive with driving for cross-valley trips, but VM wants to expand the system to have cross-valley coverage anyway, which risks lowering frequency if new drivers are not hired. There are plans to build a regional/commuter heavy rail system in the valley using existing freight ROW which would be competitive with driving but once again the state legislature and NIMBYs in Gilbert and Chandler are stonewalling it. The next logical step for upgrading transit around here imo is getting heavy rail operations started.

[@tinyelephant1533]

Yeah for the system that Valley Metro is trying to achieve (a whole cross-valley metro system), it being entirely at-grade except for metrocenter is a severe disadvantage. Even getting between just downtown Tempe and Phoenix can be such a slog depending on the time of day and the traffic. The light rail is great if you don't need to go too far, but if you're trying to actually get between cities, like Mesa to Phoenix, it's significantly faster to drive. That does NOT mean i'm opposed to the light rail, it's much better we have some sort of rail transit in the valley rather than nothing (and I understand the political issues for why at-grade was chosen, even efficient elevated rail is constantly shit on for "blocking views" and appearing too "urban" to conservative voters). However, in order for the system to live up to its potential and keep up with the growing transit needs of the city, certain sections absolutely need to be grade-separated in the future. Phoenix has A LOT of potential for walkable development and better transit service, but I fear that with shortsighted leaders and the hostile political climate, we will never truly see what it could be. Any grade-separation in downtown for example probably won't even be considered for decades now, since they just put in so much money rebuilding the downtown loop for the south-central extension. They wouldn't want to go back and completely rebuild it in that area anytime soon.

[@mrxman581]

​​​@@tinyelephant1533I agree. Phoenix needs to grade separate their light rail lines as much as is practical. Not just the ROWs themselves, but the stations too. Aerial stations are a good option, but subterranean stations might even be better for them because of the heat. LA Metro has three light rail lines that have a few subterranean stations, the A, E, and K lines. Between the three lines there are 9 stations. They tend to be built in areas where it's geographically and logistically not practical to build above ground. And we also have about 6 aerial stations between the same three lines. It also helps the trains run a little faster. Another way to speed up the Phoenix line would be to give it signal prioritization at intersections. That way it won't have to stop at intersections. LA Metro is also slowly implementing this as well across the various light rail lines.

[@whoisthatkidd2212]

@@tinyelephant1533 The issue with grade separating the existing light rail is that at that point you might as well build a fast heavy metro system like BART or DC Metro because of the insane costs. We already have other 6+ lane wide roads that can fit 2-track viaducts in them that run through the densest parts of the area so you might as well run a parallel system and upzone the alignment. This would only happen if we received an absolute tidal wave of federal funding not seen since the Great Society program and support on all levels of government.

[@Bluerazor52]

Not to mention the lack of transit-signal priority. I recently rode the Valley Metro Rail during the evening and we'd stop 2-3 times between stations when there was no traffic. Having TSP probably would've increased my average speed from 8 mph.

[@UrbanPorcupine]

I have ridden the light rail in Phoenix. The Tempe street car was under construction at the time. For a city with only one rail line, the system does a surprisingly good job of connecting major point of interest in the area. You can hit downtown Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, Sky harbor Airport, ASU, Metro center etc. and get pretty close to the Botanical Gardens. I just wished the system connected to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport as that was the airport I flew into, so I had to take an Uber.

[@democraticpatriot2657]

If/when Amtrak service is restored to Phoenix, I hope the train station will be served also by the light rail system.

[@F60528]

I always found Phoenix to be one of the best places (AZ, CO, UT best states imo). Loads of sunshine, no blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, way less likely to experience earthquakes as California. Sandstorms and the summer heat are tough but then again it is at least a very dry heat. I anytime prefer 105 F in Phoenix to 90 F in East Asia. On top of that, affordable housing.

[@mcartern88]

I'm impressed by how much and how quickly the light rail network is expanding in Phoenix! Great video. I'm curious if the tracks are able to better integrate resist heat than in other places and what's done to keep the trains running during 115 degree days in the summer. Most cities would just shut down their systems if it got that hot!

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

Everything had to be custom made for Phoenix from the “track envelope” to the HVAC system on trains. It may be hot outside but it’s an ice box inside.

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

I’ve taken the lightrail and the buses on a 120F day in 2017.. hardly feel a thing inside. It’s pretty great. Phoenix area cities put a LOT of effort into planning every single detail lol. You’d be surprised at how much effort goes into sustainability too. In my mind, Phoenix will have an advantage with climate change because it’s been preparing for decades now with state of the art water recycling already in place. Now imagine a city like Dallas facing up to the realities of a massive drought..

[@mrpogi23]

When people started travelling abroad like Japan, Singapore, many parts of Europe, etc.. people see you live and get almost anywhere with just trains, LRT, electric buses with so much ease and connectivity. You are exploring by foot or bike... it becomes a PLACE you enjoy strolling through. I wish more cities take note from those amazing countries we all envy.

[@dylanwray6587]

Another transit project to keep an eye on is the Tempe-Mesa streetcar extension, currently in the design phase. It's not currently listed on the valleymetro website but Tempe and Mesa are looking into extending the streetcar from its current north terminus east on Rio Salado to Dobson in Mesa, then south on Dobson to Main Street, where one could transfer to the light rail. Even further out, if that project happens then Mesa has expressed interest in further extending the streetcar to go along Southern Ave to downtown Mesa.

[@JohnDB9009]

TicoPHX is great! Love the strides we're making in Phoenix to expand out transit options (despite the best efforts of our State Legislture), but the TicoPHX account really highlights whay could have been had the '89 ValTrans proposal passed. I mean it wasn't close to passing, but it would have been great. Elevated ralid transit all across rhe valley rather than the network of freeways. The city would be so different.

[@stevengalloway8052]

😳 Wow! I had NO idea Phoenix had a mass transit system this extensive! Impressive! 👏

[@liamtahaney713]

I was in pheonix may 2019. Just had an 8 hour layover so we rode the tram for fun. Was neithed impressed or disappointed by it, but it seems their expansion could make it a very useful system. And 10/10 for airport connectivity. What i remember most was how cheap the ticket was, made me feel like they were desprate for ridership which is fine. And the buses we tried to use were horrendously unreliable. Coming from the northeast, phoenix felt like mars. I dont understand why anyone would ever want to livw there but more power to em if they can handle the heat I suppose

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

The Phoenix area is modern and gorgeous, surrounded by mountains and incredible nature. The Northeast feels old, broken, dilapidated and overcrowded to me with horrible infrastructure. Not sure why anyone would live in such a rat infested dump. More power to you I guess.

[@goldenstarmusic1689]

I unironically believe more water fountains across transit systems is a good idea. Good job Phoenix.

[@redlion45]

Especially in Phoenix where it's 1,000,000 degrees most of the year

[@DylanS32]

As a Phoenix resident living car-free, there’s a lot to be desired when it comes to public transit here but this project was very exciting to see get completed. Sadly, there is a big funding issue looming in regard to light rail. The state sales tax that provided most of this funding will expire in 2026 and the proposition to extend this tax has a clause added by the republican majority legislature that prohibits any funding going to light rail (or any rail) extensions for the next 20 years. It’s incredibly disappointing. One silver lining is that the funding can go to BRT and bus service in general.

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

Phoenix, Mesa & Tempe have dedicated transit taxes. The idea is to use the new property to fund bus operations and use the transit tax to continue light rail expansion. They know what they’re doing. And they know what it takes to get things passed. Our legislature for the most part isn’t dumb. But they know the current political climate., seeing how the Koch’s came in and tried to screw everything up. With the way the new Prop is set up, we will get our rail expansions still, just via a different avenue. (Or pretty much the same avenue).

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

Also, the state sales tax that did fund it, only funded like 3% of the costs. Need not worry. Source: plenty of friends who work for the state and Valley Metro.

[@DylanS32]

@@CityLifeinAmerica thank you for the insight! That puts my worries at ease. The funding breakdowns led me to believe prop 400 was a larger chunk of the funding.

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

@@DylanS32 I even spoke with Farnsworth, the guy who is helping to get 479 on the ballot. He rides transit and uses his state issued platinum pass. Though he is a republican, you can’t get anymore transit supporting than actually riding the thing as a politician. And speaking with him, trust me this legislature isn’t dumb or as mean spirited as we make them out to be (in terms of transit). He definitely wants to see more transit investments and knows that 400 wasn’t paying for rail expansions anyway, other than a small percentage.

[@DylanS32]

@@CityLifeinAmerica It certainly came off as meanspirited with the explicit exclusion of rail from the area surrounding the capitol, but of course no party is a monolith.

[@ChocoliciousCake]

I clicked on this video not expecting much but holy is this impressive for Arizona. Blown away with what they already have and how quick they extend lines since the first 20 miles

[@christopherlofquist1]

Great Video on the new light rail in Phoenix. I hope to ride it when I go to Phoenix next month. Going to see family in Phoenix area!

[@humanecities]

This makes me want to visit Phoenix, myself!! It looks like things are pretty well thought out with shade and such!

[@ratedpz9461]

I’m happy to see that a lot of these sun belt cities like Houston, Phoenix, LA, and even Las Vegas are actually doing a lot better in terms of public transit than we give them credit for. They all have huge bus networks, many of which are decently frequent, and they all have major plans for transit expansion. I think we should be more critical to the cities that are doing little in terms of transit expansion, which includes tons of walkable cities. (Although it is still a bit sad that a city the size of Phoenix has only one, very much not grade-separated, light rail line currently).

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

Houston?😂 LA is investing literal BILLIONS in transit. One city you seem to have missed is Dallas.. their transit system is actually pretty good and nobody gives them any credit for it. They’re expanding too and it’s big already.

[@ratedpz9461]

@@user-cr1iz8fw6h well it’s really hard to have a transit system that’s too big, but yes I did forget Dallas, which could be doing better with TOD, but overall pushes above its weight for a sunbelt city. LA though, although spending a ton, is not getting bang for the buck, just look at the regional connector or LAX people mover. Sure, they are/will be functional, but they are not that impressive.

[@basedoz5745]

Now what needs to happen is some actual fast commuter rail connecting the downtown suburbs to the main entertainment and business areas. They literally have rail lines running from San Tan Valley, thru Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, downtown Phoenix and Glendale.

[@GirtonOramsay]

I was expecting crap when I visited Phoenix last summer, but was pleasantly surprised by the light rail quality. Thank god that they had water fountains at the stations...I probably drank 100F+ water but was very nice after biking in 112F heat. Great to see they are adding expansions, even if cities like Scottsdale refuse otherwise

[@elirby7131]

As an Arizonan. I'm so excited about this project and future projects. Hope for the best for Valley Metro. Now the only thing we would need to fix are our busses.

[@radiofreeurbanism]

Such a great video!! You should start a podcast, Ethan!!

[@djpetesake]

Heck yeah! I went to Phoenix a few months ago, but didn't have time to ride the light rail. I rode the Tempe streetcar, made a video about it, and got lambasted for mispronouncing "Tempe", so good work in that department! Also the Amtrak corridor ID thing says the Sunset Limited should return there in the future.

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

I watched your video and laughed at your interaction between the two close together Fry’s.

[@ThomasFromPHX]

Good coverage man 👏👏👏

[@dupdrewww]

Great video!

[@cdnmetelhead4013]

A city near me went down the LRT path. Took years to get approved because everyone was against it. They persevered and got it built. Ridership got off to a slow start. Most city residents are now complaining because the trains are so packed they can’t get a seat. Like Phoenix they are now expanding their routes.

[@LIGHTRAILS5000]

I Have Rode The Valley Metro Rail and It's Awesome !!! JJ

[@Roma_eterna]

Finally! A year-round, warm city with potentially good transit! A lot of the transit accessible cities (New York, Chicago, etc) are cold!

[@iteky]

Our transit is better than people think, but it’s still not ideal. The phoenix transportation 2050 plan should improve things dramatically but it won’t be finished for a while

[@tinyelephant1533]

Phoenix's transit is slowly improving for sure, but I still wouldn't say its very good. The current iteration of our rail system is a start, but it's extremely far from being even close to a city like Chicago.

[@mrxman581]

​@@tinyelephant1533Indeed, but it's a promising start. However, to keep it going for the foreseeable future, Phoenix needs a constant and continuous stream of yearly funding that is separate from other city and state funding. Phoenix transit agency needs their own revenue stream to continually expand the system. Los Angeles did it with two separate increases to the sales tax that was approved by voters both times. Maybe Phoenix can do something similar.

[@kevinsnell1622]

I live near Metro Center and am looking forward to the upgrades.

[@forkast]

great video!

[@climateandtransit]

Much appreciated!

[@pavld335]

Interesting. There does not seem to be a lot of fanfare about this extension in the urbanist community. I've seen some really good stuff coming out of PHX. Unfortunately, AZ has spent billions building their freeway network.

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

Those freeways are much needed and modern. They could build rail on top of it. Arizona built its freeways without federal funding mostly.

[@mrxman581]

I've never been to Phoenix, but living in LA, I've been to Palm Springs and Vegas a bunch of times so I know about 3 digit weather conditions. Shade is great to have at the stations, but ideally the stations should be enclosed and air conditioned. However, that would add significant expense. Since the stations already have a water supply for the drinking fountain why not also install water misters at the stations? They use them in downtown Palm Springs and it makes a difference. Having them as people are waiting at the stations would be welcomed by passengers and make taking the light rail more inviting year round, and the expense should be very doable because you wouldn't need it all the time.

[@mikeverhasselt5976]

The Phoenix light rail makes it a better city. When I visit, I try to stay near the system. Light rail makes big cities better. Minneapolis- St Paul and San Diego are two other metro areas that are stronger for visitors and residents because of their light rail systems. Good video.

[@SamsonOhsem]

Very good public transportation 👍🏻

[@muzluv33]

Great news that Phoenix has LRT and is expanding that system. I visited Phoenix and Scottsdale at the beginning and end of an escorted tour of Arizona and NM in the mid 1990's in August no less (only time I could go!). Being taxi=dependent to get everywhere was maddening and this a tourist. I can just imagine how the residents feel. I sincerely hope the system keeps being a success and extend it as far as you can. Any hopes of the system going to Scottsdale of too much potential roadblocks there (pardon the pun)?

[@rosemulet]

Finally someone talks about the Phoenix light rail!

[@MountainManAbe]

Another new point of interest along the light rail line is the “culdesac” project. It’s the U.S.’s first walkable village project that’s set to be completed this year.

[@danielportillo9266]

The future of Valley Metro is bright with new fare boxes, transit cards, and light rail extensions.

[@RipCityBassWorks]

I went to Phoenix twice in 2019 and rode the light rail extensively. The line is decent, but the frequencies are bad and the lack of a transit card or smart payment was pretty annoying. The bus connections to Chandler were also awful, though they seemed better around Tempe and Phoenix proper. On its face, the system is alright, but Phoenix has 1.6 million people and light rail in much smaller cities (Seattle, Portland, SLC) sets a much higher standard.

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

You pay exponentially more in taxes in those cities.. you pay exponentially more in groceries, rent, housing and pretty much everything else too lol. It’s a good deal for what you pay for. Tempe has the best transit in Phoenix. And there’s 5 million people in the Phoenix Sun Valley.

[@sbr-1143]

08 light rail vet; didn't know C&C was still open 😮

[@user-de1hg8cf6b]

When I lived in Phoenix two decades ago I took the lite rail line when it went from 19th & Bethany home in Phoenix to Main St. & ?? In Mesa. I'm glad Phoenix has decided to take the line further and doing more with it. I'll never going to be back that way again. Didnt like anything about Phoenix. When I moved I was happy to get out of there. Just my opinion. Have a great day everyone

[@AustinSersen]

I've been to Phoenix on business before, but I have yet to take the light rail. What's wild to me is how slow it seems. Nearly 2 hours end to end? Is everything really that spread out in Phoenix that this 2 hour line doesn't even go to the edge of the urban area?

[@tinyelephant1533]

The Phoenix metro area is extremely spread out, but the metro line itself only takes that long because it is almost entirely at-grade. Vehicles are constantly stopped by traffic intersections, and are limited to only 35 MPH. I also don't believe it has signal priority in any of the cities in runs through, but I could be wrong about that.

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

@@tinyelephant1533it has signal priority.

[@AustinSersen]

@@tinyelephant1533 yeah, that’s kinda what I assumed. As long as it yields priority to cars, it won’t be a preferred transport method for a majority of people. I saw 1h50 for 40 stops which doesn’t seem too bad (2-3 minutes between stations), so maybe the stations are closer together than they need to be?

[@mrxman581]

​@@AustinSersen40 stations for a system that is only 30 miles long seems like too many. The LA Metro A light rail line is 49 miles long, has 44 stations, and takes about 2 hours too by comparison. But the A line has a number of sections where it's grade separated.

[@combusean]

@@tinyelephant1533 Yeah, the lack of signal priority has always been a huge buzzkill.

[@CubeAtlantic]

idek, Phoenix has a light rail system or something interconnected that looks very detailed.

[@mrxman581]

It's great to see other US cities develop public transit systems. However, the crucial aspect about developing a truly comprehensive system is constant reliable funding to continue expanding the system for decades. I hope that's the case with Phoenix.

[@history_leisure]

3:59 so you do have some quirky Hopkins creds

[@user-ll2nd5mp7x]

Phoenix LRT is good, it should eventually be extended to Glendale by the football stadium and to Scottsdale

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Hopefully the station won't remain a terminus forever. Phoenix is HUGE!

[@basedoz5745]

I think there are diminishing returns on expanding light rail specifically past these points. New lines along Camelback going to the East would be pretty good though. They need to go even bigger and actual develop commuter rail from their downtown suburbs. They already have rail lines from newer developments in San Tan Valley, going through Downtown Gilbert, within a couple of blocks of the Downtown Mesa light rail, through Tempe, through Downtown Phoenix. Going further out with light rail just doesn’t have feasible commute times. Pretty sure the current line before the latest northwest extension is over a 40 minute commute. I feel like commuter rail would really boost these other downtowns walkable denser developments.

[@robserrano8971]

Fiesta Mall needs to be redeveloped to a TOD Center.

[@kevbarnes8459]

About the tempe streetcar does it just connect the student housing to the campus?

[@Richard-ZA01]

The one problem i have with riding the lightrail is that there are some people who are either drunk or on drugs and get a free ride. I remember this one guy who was so out of it that he put his vack against a pole and when he was helped up, there was a wet spot on the floor.

[@alicesaunders1366]

@connorgreenwall3052 Light Rail and/or bus needs to link with the ever growing City of Goodyear public transit. Correct me if I’m wrong, but commute times are when buses run from Goodyear to downtown Phoenix. Not good for those who want to go other times.

[@bluetulisia3]

I love living there. Im moving back there with my family in 8 weeks.

[@peterjaniceforan3080]

🚃Great news Phoenix & AZ👍

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

like that the network seems not to run in an urban wasteland of stroads and strip malls (which quite a few such networks tend to do), but through actually somewhat pedestrian unhostile walkable districts. whilst this is way too much excitement for just a single line tram network, elevated rail does raise this systems capacity to a new level.

[@patlynch6517]

Fun Fact: Phoenix metro light rail opened up 1/2 year before Seattle's light rail!

[@sentrygl]

While i found the concept great, i was annoyed by the slow speeds and lack of service on the phoenix light rail

[@AMPProf]

They could literally with low flow mist and plants and a full station cover could make an Oassies, air filtration sequestration, and temperature regulation Green house stations

[@SeaBassTian]

Valley Metro makes it super easy to visit PHX without renting a car. Good on them!

[@richphx]

I live here and while the light rail is good if you rode it from Gilbert Road to downtown Phoenix it would take triple the time it would to drive; it should have had its own right of way instead of running street level.

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

Phoenix is a city Arlington could have become, if they would just add transit, instead Arlington is going to continue for the title of worst city in the United States.

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

Arlington TX?

[@DrewBmbAS]

make a video about salt lake city! some of the best transit in the US

[@climateandtransit]

SLC is a top priority for visiting!

[@garfieldwhittaker944]

It should have been grade separated for safety and speed...

[@repulser93]

Now we just need some proper daily passenger train service.

[@Robert-eg2oy]

Where is your Amtrak station ?

[@definitelynotacrab7651]

If only more Midwestern cities could make these types of improvements. Phoenix is going to get slammed by climate change heat wise and already has water issues limiting how much it can reasonably densify.

[@GregoryJByrne]

UNITE the Americas with a Pole to Pole Road/Railway network. Love your Americas neighour! Close the Darian Gap.

[@Aidanryry]

never been to pheonix

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

6:58 Have you been to Phoenix in the summer?😂 For 4 months a year, it’s near impossible to walk or bike in daytime. I’m all for park n ride though.

[@climateandtransit]

I live in Vegas. People still walk/bike when it’s 110 out

[@LifeOnCoach]

✌🏾

[@user-ek3hx3tp4u]

I think the light rail is new and shiny but they keep building the light rail to areas where it’s not very dense and there are not many places to go except parking lots and industrial areas.

[@climateandtransit]

You can always upzone

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

The light rail is used as a tool to get developers to come and build things on top of those barren parking lots.

[@AtariTheAnimator]

They will probably demolish the older buildings and build transit oriented development

[@user-ek3hx3tp4u]

Same thing happened in Denver where Tod was implemented and people still said it was bad land use. I love how phoenix is prioritizing this but it really comes down to compromising with the public.

[@user-ek3hx3tp4u]

@@climateandtransit I think it would be a great video idea to go to Denver. We have a very expansive system and it has some pretty cool destinations and perks like the airport connection. Also you could mention the brt projects of front range rail project.

[@qroz763]

It's weird to me how the best a city of 1.6 million can do is just stick two trams together. And then call metro xD

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

It looks like Phoenix is trying to copy Seattle's homework (Seattle was in turn copying Portland and Vancouver's homework)

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

Funny enough, the Seattle train orders were both based off the Phoenix order, both times! The Kinkisharyo trains, and the Seiemsn S700 train orders. The Phoenix train system is also a few years older than Seattles.

[@IndustrialParrot2816]

@@CityLifeinAmerica actually they were built within a year of eachother

[@guinessbeer]

@@CityLifeinAmericaSeattle’s line is more grade separated though

[@mrxman581]

Los Angeles light rail system opened in 1990 and is the largest in the USA that was before Phoenix, Seattle, and Dallas.

[@henrymiller1820]

no platform screen doors?

[@Gfynbcyiokbg8710]

It was built cheaply so no

[@darthpanda]

is this rail connected to the Airport?

[@richphx]

Yes, there is a stop at 44th Street where you can transfer to another train that takes you to the airport.

[@darthpanda]

@@richphx thank you very much, the transfer was great! Phoenix is really nice place te visit!

[@yiannisd8286]

i hated being in Phoenix. it's extremely unwalkable. even where i was in the downtown/midtown area

[@pizzajona]

Phoenix needs heavy rail. Light rail is too slow for the size of the city. Give it heavy rail and serious upzoning around transit stations.

[@gabemorrison9702]

Valley metro. Lets build light rail to an abandoned mall and into the ghetto. Lets not build light rail to Westgate/Cardinals Stadium/Glendale Arena and Arrowhead Mall area. Actual areas of interest

[@climateandtransit]

I don’t think you watched the video! The mall is being redeveloped into housing and retail! Also you definitely have lived in a gated community if you think the neighborhood around metro center is “ghetto”

[@emotioncinema6765]

Eh it’s still a massive city with 5m population that takes 2 hours just to drive across. Only 30 miles of not even rapid rail transit is not much. Compare to Denver which still doesn’t have that great of rail transit, a population 1/3 the size, 113 miles of rail transit, twice the length light rail and 50 miles of electrified commuter rail. I lived in phoenix carless before they built all this, was pretty bad.

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

Denver also has a much older light rail network, and jumped on that train much earlier, as evidenced by RTD's high floor trains with low floor platforms.

[@combusean]

It's not a competition. But if you want it to be, and we're looking at light rail alone, Phoenix has vastly outpaced Denver's light rail construction. Denver had 42 miles in 2006 and only opened 18 miles since, Phoenix has opened 30 miles since 2008. Phoenix also had service to the airport area in 2008 with skytrain opening in 2013, years before your A line.

[@emotioncinema6765]

Ya but like the other sun belt cities, they really need more. The size of phoenix it really should have a commuter rail running at faster speeds, or rapid transit of some sort. I think that is what Denver realized - they built 2 lines early on that just follow freeways and have not great development potential and max speed of only around 55mph, so it takes much longer to ride those lines than to just drive in the same right of way to get to the nowhere destinations at the end of the lines. Compare that to the new lines they built - w line actually runs through neighborhoods, A line is actual commuter rail that has top speed of 80mph and is a pleasant trip to the airport that has become the popular choice to the point that Denver is planning on reducing the amount of parking at the airport.

[@combusean]

@@emotioncinema6765 Union Pacific was opposed to commuter rail for a long time and it was a non starter in the CIty of Phoenix government even though it was occasionally brought up. I think that's slowly starting to turn around because a region 80 miles from one end to the other connecting to another region 90 miles from the core city is making this a necessity. There are published concepts to build it but the ridership projections are too low to make it feasible and the money is not going to show up anytime soon with the state's political climate. The county could hardly get the next major transportation passed because of the right-wing state government's hatred of public transit.

[@Cyrus992]

Why do folks even move to Phoenix? At least Las Vegas summers aren’t as bad

[@dilisarcop1573]

at least PHX has public rail transit. . . (from a Vegas native)

[@Cyrus992]

@@dilisarcop1573So will the other

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

@@Cyrus992Tesla tunnel doesn’t count. Gadgetbahn monorail also doesn’t count. So far I don’t see any rail plans for Vegas other than high speed from CA, which isn’t local transit.

[@mrxman581]

​@@CityLifeinAmericaThe automated monorail does count. There have been talks to expand it to the airport and maybe downtown. That would be great. They can definitely build on it.

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

@@mrxman581 It doesn’t count because it doesn’t even have any involvement with the local transit agency. Nobody wants to buy 90 passes to get around one area.

[@DesertDwight]

If people weren’t so anti-transit (Glendale and Scottsdale) I believe the network would be larger!

[@bennygoodmanisgod]

Good to see Phoenix making strides in transit but I’ll be damned if I ever ride a bike in Hell’s furnace 💀

[@grahamturner2640]

I’ve done it, and with some preparation, it’s not too bad (though I’m also fairly young).

[@hobog]

AZ and Phoenix don't have enough groundwater to sustain current population, and still AZ does things like sell farmland to the UAE (and in effect, sell desert water to a desert country). I hope this tod works

[@michaelwright1295]

Phoenix getting mass transit before Detroit is so embarrassing💀

[@thomasgrabkowski8283]

Not suprised with Detroit considering its where the car maufacturers are based and they hold massive political and economic power there

[@petitkruger2175]

I'd Rather Be Dead in California Than Alive in Arizona

[@josephhouk6703]

..."suburb"???? Mesa's the third largest city in the state, thanks.

[@climateandtransit]

Mesa is a suburb of Phoenix

[@user-cr1iz8fw6h]

Ever heard of Metro areas?

[@josephhouk6703]

@@user-cr1iz8fw6h Yeah, it's called "Phoenix-Tempe-Mesa MSA."