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Light Rail Phoenix: A Beginner’s Guide

[Updated 5/14/19.]

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People have asked me how to take the Valley Metro light rail in the Phoenix area, so I made a video guide .

However, if you prefer tips in written form, read on!

1. Find where to go.

There’s just one line with 2 directions, Eastbound and Westbound. You can ride anywhere on the line all day for $4.

Westbound train route:

• begins in Mesa (Gilbert Rd./Main St., as of 5/18/19)
• ASU Tempe campus
• Sky Harbor Airport
• Downtown Phoenix (Phoenix Convention Center, Talking Stick Resort Arena, Chase Field)
• Central Ave. (turns north)
• Roosevelt Row/arts district
• ends at 19th Ave. and Dunlap (near Metrocenter)

Eastbound trains start at 19th Avenue and Dunlap, retracing basically the same route, heading south and then east and ending at Gilbert Road and Main Street (as of 5/18/19).

To find where to get on and off the train and get schedule information, download a Transit Book , check the Valley Metro website , get the Ridekick app , or try Google Maps. If you don’t want to bother with the schedule, you can just show up. Trains run about every 10-20 minutes until around midnight or 1am.

Park-and-Ride

If there’s not a stop near you, you can drive to one of the 11 Park-and-Ride lots , where there’s free parking for people riding the light rail or bus. You just find a spot, lock your car, and head to the station platform.

2. Get your ticket.

You can easily get a pass from a fare vending machine at your stop before you leave.

Follow the prompts on screen to select an all-day pass and activate it immediately. Then pay with cash, credit or debit.

Your pass and receipt print from two different places. Make sure to pick them both up!

On the Station Platform

While you’re waiting, check the signs to make sure in the right spot for the train going in your direction.

Stations have…

• fare vending machines
• scrolling LED signs that say when to expect the next train
• route maps (simplified to highlight the stops – not to scale)
• drinking fountains
• artwork inspired by the local area

Stations don’t have…

• food or anything for purchase (except rail passes)

You can bring your own food and beverage in sealed or spill proof containers.

3. Get on board.

Trains stop at every station. You don’t have to flag them down. If one looks like it’s not stopping, Don’t panic! It’s probably just pulling up farther.

When the train pulls up to the station, it will come to a complete stop, the doors automatically open, and you can step into any car. Find a seat or or a place to stand and hold on to the railing. If you are standing, try to move back away from the doors, so people can easily get on and off.

There’s usually not anyone checking tickets as you get on. It’s kind of on the honor system. Occasionally, though, transit officers in black and white uniforms will come through and check tickets after the train is in motion. Not having one can get you fined up to $500.

Watch and listen for your stop. You can find a route map above some of the doors. And before each stop, a recording will say “approaching station” then the station name and whether you’ll exit the train on the left or right side. The information is also on scrolling LED signs in the middle of the ceiling of each car. Once you arrive, wait for the train to stop and doors to open, and you’re there!

– More light rail info –

• Fare details . Day (round trip) pass: $4 / Week: $20 / Month: $64
• Make sure you are waiting for the train going the direction you want to go. Most of the platforms are in the middle of the street and trains going both directions share them. However, around downtown Phoenix the line splits. So if you’re at the Phoenix Convention Center for example, the station for westbound trains is at Washington and eastbound trains stop a block south of there at Jefferson.
• If you’re only going one way (to the airport , for example), you can purchase a 1-ride ticket. Once you purchase it, take your ticket and receipt. You have a two-hour window after purchasing to make your trip in one direction.
• You may notice that there’s a “ buy online ” option on the Valley Metro website. This is NOT for last-minute purchases! Since electronic tickets are not accepted, you can order tickets online, and then they’ll be shipped to you via snail mail.
• Pets are allowed only in enclosed carriers or cages that fit on your lap. Of course, this doesn’t apply to service animals – they just need to be out of walkways.
• RailRide : Talking Stick Resort Arena event tickets now include a free ride to the event!

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5 Replies to “Light Rail Phoenix: A Beginner’s Guide”

Very helpful video-thank you!

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I’m arriving Sat at terminal 4. I’d like to take the tram to Mesa where is the stop located to get on tram

Thank you for simplifying the light rail process!! As someone who had never ridden it, I was uncertain of how to even start!

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Matador Original Series

11 Stops to See the Best of Phoenix by Light Rail

P hoenix is a sprawling city. A zigzag of freeways loop through and around the desert metropolis, and it’s all too easy to spend more time driving, not to mention parking and fighting over directions, than doing. Sure, there’s Uber and Lyft, but all those rideshares can add up fast. Enter the Valley Metro Rail , a 26-mile ride that stretches from central Phoenix to Tempe and downtown Mesa, past hip hangouts, playful boutiques, rave-worthy restaurants, underground bars, and even a lake. The line takes around 85 minutes to ride from start to finish and costs only $4 for an all-day pass. So hop on and hit all the best stops, sans car.

1. Book it to Bookmans.

Nearest light rail stop: Northern/19th Avenue

It’s easy to get lost in Bookmans . The neighborhood book fixture carries shelf after shelf of used books, plus gifts, CDs, classic video games, magazines, manga, musical instruments, toys, and treasures. This is a place to browse, cozy up, catch a Super Smash Bros. tournament, and find that out-of-print cookbook you’ve been looking for.

2. Score indie finds at Frances and Stinkweeds.

Photo: Frances /Facebook

Nearest light rail stop: Central Avenue/Camelback

It’s not often you can score gin blossoms on vinyl and right next door find cactus earrings made by a local artist. Both Stinkweeds and Frances are finds, something that in-the-know locals seeking rare vinyl and one-of-a-kind gifts have known for decades. Stinkweeds is owned by Kimber Lanning (she opened in 1987), and Frances is owned by Georganne Bryant (as in mom of Aidy Bryant from SNL). Walk five minutes west to find Changing Hands , an indie bookstore with a bar inside.

This stop can serve as a home base of sorts for anyone planning on using the light rail as their main mode of transportation. Arrive Phoenix , a swanky boutique hotel with locations in Palm Springs and Austin, recently opened around the corner from the stop and comes complete with a popsicle stand, pool bar, and rooftop cocktail lounge.

3. Eat, drink, love at Pane Bianco and Lux Central.

Nearest light rail stop: Campbell/Central Avenue

Start at Pane Bianco , the Chris Bianco sandwich shop that makes some of the best sandwiches in Phoenix and perhaps the United States. Get the Mozzarella, which is made with housemade mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, and wood-fired focaccia. Then go next door to Lux Central , a hip coffee outpost with arguably the best beans and vibe in town. Open 6:00 AM to midnight, there are plenty of plugs and people watching, plus free refills on drip coffee.

4. Escape into art at Phoenix Art Museum.

Photo: Phoenix Art Museum /Facebook

Nearest light rail stop: McDowell/Central Avenue

It’s hard to miss the Phoenix Art Museum thanks to the caged, giant red T-Rex out front. Inside the modern, sweeping space, you’ll find art by Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keeffe, as well as the iconic “George Washington” portrait by Gilbert Stuart. The ultimate must-see, though, is Yayoi Kusama’s “You Who are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies,” an infinity room of LED lights that feels like an optical dreamscape of floating stars. There are more than 18,000 artworks in all, including a sculpture garden, Western American wing, and extensive fashion collection, making it the largest art museum in the Southwest for visual art.

5. Get the Frank Sinatra treatment at Durant’s.

Nearest light rail stop: Thomas/Central Avenue

Durant’s is a restaurant that was cool before it was cool to be cool. Decked out in plush red wallpaper and vintage banquette booths with bow-tied servers and moody lighting, the Rat Pack-era steakhouse is perfect for canoodling and martini sipping. Order up Oysters Rockefeller and a perfectly cooked filet mignon or 48-ounce porterhouse and savor the artful nostalgia. The entrance through the backdoor kitchen only adds to the old-school allure.

6. Dine at Matt’s Big Breakfast.

Photo: Matt’s Big Breakfast /Facebook

Nearest light rail stop: Roosevelt/Central Avenue

Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day at Matt’s Big Breakfast . It’s not a dainty, avocado toast kind of place. The diner-style menu is loaded with griddle cakes, salami scrambles, thick-cut bacon, and waffles with real maple syrup. MBB has been flipping, frying, and scrambling since 2004, and the 50-seat, counter-style joint still draws a huge crowd for breakfast and lunch. After eating, stroll Roosevelt Row , an artsy stretch of coffee shops, restaurants, indie galleries, and outdoor murals that runs along Roosevelt Street from 7th Avenue to 7th Street.

7. Bar hop, starting at Bitter & Twisted.

Nearest light rail stop: Eastbound: Jefferson/1st Avenue, Westbound: Washington/Central Avenue

For inventive cocktails in a swanky setting, Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlor is panache personified. You can order a classic like an old fashioned, but flip through the prolific Book o’ Cocktails, and more than likely, you’ll be sipping something original that’s a mix of bitters, tonics, infused spirits, and fresh herbs. Valley Bar , an underground speakeasy that’s equal parts dive and chic, hosts everything from poetry readings to punk bands. Speaking of speakeasies, it’s easy to miss Melinda’s Alley , a weekends-only basement bar below the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel. The entrance is north of the hotel in the alleyway between Central Avenue and First Street. Just look for the Melinda mural and red light bulb. One stop west is The Van Buren , an 1,800-capacity music hall with an impressive lineup of headliners, including Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Dua Lipa, and Sting.

8. Run, walk, bike, or kayak at Tempe Town Lake.

Photo: Tim Roberts Photography /Shutterstock

Nearest light rail stop: Mill Avenue/3rd Street

Phoenix isn’t all mountains and dust. Hop on the light rail eastbound for Tempe Town Lake , a reservoir of water and fun with five miles of paved path, sand volleyball courts, and plenty of public art. Rent a bike, kayak, or standup paddleboard if you want to get on the water, or stay dry and stroll the many bridges. The suspension pedestrian bridge looks like a sculpture while the Tempe Town Lake Bridge shines bright at night with thousands of colorful lights.

9. Take in the views at Sun Devil Stadium.

Nearest light rail stop: Veterans Way/College Avenue

Sun Devil Stadium is literally carved into the landscape. One of the most beautiful collegiate stadiums in the nation, Arizona State University’s outdoor football field is built between two mountain buttes, so it becomes one with the desert skyline. Catch an ASU game or just catch a look at the architectural wonder. It’s a head-turner.

10. Dive into science and find the old Phoenix at Heritage Square.

Photo: Arizona Science Center /Facebook

Nearest light rail stop: Eastbound: 3rd Street/Jefferson, Westbound: 3rd Street/Washington

History and science combine at Heritage Square. On one side you have the Arizona Science Center , an interactive, hands-on museum where you can tour the solar system in a state-of-the-art planetarium and feel what it’s like to be in the middle of a hurricane, tornado, or wildfire in the “Forces of Nature” Immersion Theater. Nearby, you have the oldest-remaining residential block in Phoenix with Pizzeria Bianco , Chris Bianco’s famous pizza joint; Bar Bianco for a drink while you wait; and The Rosson House , a Queen Ann Victorian that dates back to 1895.

11. Head east to Downtown Mesa

Nearest light rail stop: Country Club/Main Street

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Valley Metro Light rail line

Valley metro rail, valley metro light rail line station list and next departures.

The Valley Metro Light rail line - Valley Metro Rail serves {count_of_stops} rail stations in the Phoenix area departing from {first_stop} and ending at {last_stop}. Scroll down to see upcoming Light line times at each station and the next scheduled Light line departure will be displayed. The full Light line schedule as well as real-time departures is available in the app .

The Valley Metro rail map for the Light line is shown above. The Valley Metro rail map shows you an overview of all the stations served by the Valley Metro Light line to help you plan your trip on Valley Metro. Opening the app will allow you to see more detailed information about the rail line on a map including station specific alerts, such as notices about stations that are closed, information about elevator or escalator outages, and more. You can also see the location of vehicles in real-time on the rail map so when you know when the next Light line rail is approaching your stop.

Valley Metro Light Line Service Alerts

Open the app to see additional information about any active disruptions that may impact the Valley Metro Light line, such as major delays, closed stations, signaling issues, skipped stops, trip cancellations, or other service changes to the rail line. The app also allows you to subscribe to receive notifications for any service alert issued by Valley Metro so that you can plan your trip around any active or future disruptions.

Valley Metro Light Line FAQ

What time does the next valley metro light rail depart from {first_stop}.

The next Valley Metro Light line rail leaves {first_stop} at {first_stop_first_time}, and arrives at {last_stop} at {last_stop_first_time}. The total trip time for the next Light line rail is {number_of_minutes} minutes.

Is the Valley Metro Light line running on time, early or late?

You can track your rail on a map, monitor real-time updates, and see adjustments to the Valley Metro Light schedule by downloading the app .

When does the next Valley Metro Light line rail arrive?

You can see the next Valley Metro Light line rail times in the app as well as future departure times for the Light line.

How many Valley Metro Light line rail stations are there?

There are {count_of_stops} rail stations on the Valley Metro Light line.

Is the Valley Metro Light line rail usually crowded?

You can find real-time information on Valley Metro Light line rail crowding levels in the app (available in select cities or on select trips). You can also see predictions on how crowded the Light line will be when it gets to your rail station.

Is the Valley Metro Light line currently running?

Find out the current status for the Valley Metro Light line in the app .

What is the closest Valley Metro Light line rail station to me?

Open the app to see your location on a map and find the closest Light line station to where you are.

Other Valley Metro rail line maps and schedules

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METRO Light Rail in Phoenix and Tempe

Phoenix Adds Trains to Public Transportation System

The Greater Phoenix area has long been criticized for being one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country that has only bus service for public transportation . Over the past 30 years, many highways have been added, widened and improved, encouraging more cars, more traffic, and more problems with pollution and ozone layer destruction.

The history of the light rail project goes back to 1985 when voters in Maricopa County approved an increase in taxes to fund seed money for the project and the creation of the Regional Public Transportation Authority. We know that entity today as Valley Metro. Additional funding proposals by citizens of various of the cities participating occurred in the years following.

In December 2008, the first 20-mile starter line of the METRO light rail system for Phoenix started accepting passengers. Another 3.1 miles was added in 2015, and more additions will follow. The METRO light rail system uses state-of-the-art light rail vehicles with a modern, streamlined design.

Kinkisharyo International in Japan manufactures METRO light rail vehicles. More than 50 percent of the parts on the vehicles are American made. The final assembly of the vehicles occurred in Arizona.

Features of Phoenix Light Rail

• Oversized a/c units
• Tinted windows to block glare and heat
• Four hanging bike racks in each vehicle
• Exceeds Americans with Disabilities Act requirements; can accommodate four wheelchairs on each vehicle
• Door entries at the same height as the vehicle platform (no steps or lifts)
• Closed-circuit security cameras on inside and outside of each vehicle
• Passenger-to-operator emergency intercom
• A quiet, smooth ride
• Audible and visual passenger announcements

The METRO light rail stations have platforms that are 16 feet wide by 300 feet long for passengers boarding or exiting trains in either direction. Stations are located in the center of the street, and passengers use lighted intersections and crosswalks to access the trains.

The station entry area has ticket vending machines. Stations have plenty of shaded areas, seating, route maps, timetables, drinking fountains, public telephones, garbage containers, and landscaping. They are well lit. Stations are designed for accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The artwork is also integrated into the design of all the stations.

Light Rail Park-And-Ride

METRO has nine park-and-ride locations on the 23-mile light rail alignment (2015). Park-and-rides have closed-circuit security cameras and emergency telephones. Parking is free.

Park-And-Ride Locations

• 19th Avenue/Montebello Avenue
• 19th Avenue/Camelback Road
• Central Avenue/Camelback Road
• 38th Street/Washington Street
• Dorsey Lane/Apache Boulevard
• McClintock Road/Apache Boulevard
• Price Freeway/Apache Boulevard
• Sycamore Street/Main Street
• Mesa Drive/Main Street

Light Rail Safety

Light rail stations and trains represent a significant change in the Phoenix area, so it is essential to educate yourself and your children about safe behavior in and around trains and stations.

• Obey traffic and pedestrian crosswalk signals.
• Never stop your car on the tracks.
• Look and listen for trains at intersections. Light rail trains are quiet, so listen for the train bell and look for the train’s flashing headlights.
• Overhead power lines are high voltage, so exercise the same caution you would around electric company power lines.

The 20-mile METRO starter line opened for passenger service in December 2008. The additional 3.1-mile mesa extension opened in August 2015. During peak times, a train stops at a station every ten minutes. At night and on weekends, trains stop every 20 to 30 minutes. Trains run between 18 and 20 hours per day.  Rail fares  are the same fare as the local bus fare.

In August 2007, Valley Metro eliminated transfers on buses and offered one-trip passes, or 3-day, 7-day, or monthly passes that are good for all local buses or rail. In March 2013, fares were increased, and options were changed to one-trip passes, 7-day passes, 15-day passes, or 31-day passes. One trip passes are only good for a single trip, and if purchased on a bus must be used on a bus, if purchased at a light rail station must be used on light rail. Multiple day passes may be used on either form of transportation .

Light Rail Stations

Section 1:  Bethany Home Road and 19th Avenue, south on 19th Avenue to Camelback Road, east on Camelback to Central Avenue.

Location of rail stops:

19th Avenue and Montebello 19th Avenue and Camelback Road 7th Avenue and Camelback Road Central Avenue and Camelback Road

Section 2:  Central Avenue, between Camelback Road and McDowell Road

Central Avenue and Camelback Road Central Avenue and Campbell Avenue Central Avenue and Indian School Road Central Avenue and Osborn Road Central Avenue and Thomas Road Central Avenue and Encanto Blvd Central Avenue and McDowell Road

Section 3:  Central Avenue north/south between McDowell Road and Washington Street; Washington Street east/west between Central Avenue and 24th Street. 1st Avenue north/south between Roosevelt Street and Jefferson Street; Jefferson Street east/west between 1st Avenue and 24th Street.

The parallel areas of this downtown section on Central and 1st Avenues are designed to provide better support for transportation during major downtown events.

Central Avenue and McDowell Road Central Avenue and Roosevelt Street Van Buren Street and 1st Avenue (Central Station) Washington Street and Central Avenue 1st Avenue and Jefferson Street 3rd Street and Washington Street 3rd Street and Jefferson Street Washington Street/Jefferson Street and 12th Street Washington Street/Jefferson Street and 24th Street

Section 4:  Washington Street/Jefferson Street east/west to Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) at Rio Salado.

Washington Street and 38th Street Washington Street and 44th Street (connects to future Sky Harbor Airport People Mover) Washington Street and Priest Drive Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) at Tempe Beach Park/Tempe Town Lake/Rio Salado

Section 5:  Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) at Tempe Beach Park/Tempe Town Lake to Mill Avenue/ASU Sun Devil Stadium, then to First Street and Ash Avenue to Terrace Road and Rural Road. Rural Road southwest to Apache Blvd. (Main Street) running east/west on Main Street past Dobson Blvd. to Sycamore Road.

Mill Avenue and Third Street Fifth Street and College Rural Road and University Drive Apache Blvd. and Dorsey Lane Apache Blvd. and McClintock Drive Apache Blvd. and Loop 101 Price Freeway Main Street and Sycamore Road

Mesa Extension:  from west Mesa to Downtown Mesa

Main Street and Alma School Rd. Main Street and Country Club Drive Main Street and Center Street Main Street and Mesa Drive

Northwest Extension:  from 19th Ave. and Montebello to 19th Avenue and Dunlap in west Phoenix

Glendale and 19th Ave. Northern and 19th Ave. Dunlap and 19th Ave.

Here are some basic facts that you might not know about the METRO light rail system implemented in the Phoenix area.

Learn About Phoenix Light Rail

• Light rail cars are powered by electricity from overhead wires.
• Each rail car can handle about 200 passengers, 66 of which can sit.
• Rail cars will be air-conditioned to 74-78 degrees.
• A station is designed to fit up to three rail cars at a time.
• The METRO fleet numbers 50 vehicles altogether.
• The initial line is about 20 miles long with 3.1 miles added for the Mesa Extension, which opened in August 2015.
• Trains will travel at the posted speed limit for that road. They will travel up to 55 mph in future freeway corridors.
• If you take the light rail system from end-to-end, the trip is expected to take about 75 minutes.
• The expected "dwell time" at stations -- the amount of time that a train will "dwell" in a station while passengers board -- is 20 seconds.
• Trains will operate 18-20 hours per day, seven days a week.
• Passengers are able to catch the train every 12 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes off-peak.
• The fare for light rail is the same as the bus.
• The nine park-n-ride locations have a total of 3,824 parking spaces.
• Each rail car has racks for eight bicycles.
• There are locking bike lockers at each park-n-ride.
• Service to Sky Harbor International Airport will be provided through a transfer from the light rail station at 44th and Washington streets to PHX SkyTrain.
• The federal government is paying for about 41% of the cost of the 20-mile starter line: $587 million. The rest is funded with local sales taxes in Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa, with a small portion of the 20-mile starter line funded by Prop 400 monies. The Mesa extension was built with $200 million from a combination of Proposition 400 countywide sales tax revenues and federal air quality and grant dollars.
• Several future extensions, including to the State Capitol area, West Phoenix and Gilbert, are included in the Regional Transportation Plan.
• The METRO system is expected to reduce airborne emissions (pollution) by more than 12 tons each day compared to emissions associated with the same amount of passengers in cars.

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The One Phoenix Train Trip That’s Perfect For Art Lovers

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Sometimes, I like to ride public transportation in a destination city. Getting boots on the ground gives me an in-depth perspective of the heartbeat of a city. All the better to have public art on display to increase my enjoyment.

On the Valley Metro Rail in Phoenix, Arizona, each station is a work of art — from vivid, building-sized murals to small iron works of art; from mosaic tiles on the platform to shoe soles embedded in the cement. Installations by local and national artists connect the community and enhance the transit experience.

This light rail train trip is perfect for art lovers of all kinds. Make a day of the Valley Metro Rail, or take a couple of days and explore more art experiences along the route.

How To Get There

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, PHX, is an accessible destination in the Desert Southwest. Many carriers serve this airport owned by the City of Phoenix, and it’s just three miles from downtown. By way of the Sky Train, escalators, elevators, and moving walkways, you can reach Valley Metro Rail from the airport.

While I took the bus from Goodyear to downtown Phoenix to experience more of the Valley Metro system, I recommend that you drive or rideshare to the Roosevelt Row Arts District and find parking there.

Eleven Park-and-Rides offer free parking for daily transit use. Fifteen strategically located transit centers also provide parking and vending machines to purchase fares.

Know Before You Go

Purchase fares at vending machines on the light rail platforms and from participating retailers or online. Online orders are not downloadable, not available to print, and are shipped via FedEx.

Current adult full fares are around $5 per day. Children, seniors, Medicare, and people with disabilities ride at a discount. Validate your ticket at the kiosk on the platforms.

All Valley Metro vehicles are accessible to riders using wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Where To Start On The Light Rail

Trains run from northwest Phoenix through Tempe to east Mesa approximately every 15 minutes. Thirty-eight stations host public art exhibits. If you take refreshment and meal breaks, you could make this art lover’s train trip in 2–3 days. I dedicated 1 day to riding the rails and another half day exploring the Roosevelt Row Arts District in depth. Several world-class museums in the Roosevelt Row Arts District highlight the area’s history and showcase local and international music, art, and culture.

Start in the Roosevelt Row Arts District at the McDowell and Central Avenue station in Midtown Phoenix. Heading westbound for a few stops introduces you to art, culture, and creativity.

Artists And Stations

Those were the logistics. Now for the art along the Valley Metro Rail, arranged by stop, from beginning in Midtown and ending in Tempe.

A Thousand Points Of Reference At Mcdowell/Central Ave., Roosevelt Row Arts Disrict, Midtown Phoenix

Michael Maglich, a local artist, created his artwork because of the proximity of the Burton Barr Public Library and Phoenix Art Museum. A Thousand Points of Reference is a celebration of diversity in the patrons of the library and museum and the nearby neighborhoods. The bronze sculptures refer to influential artists, like Rodin, and movements in art history.

Presence Of Water At Thomas/Central Ave., Business District, Midtown Phoenix

Brian Goldbloom, a Washington artist, designed artwork that touched on the evolution of desert into a modern urban oasis. Intricate carvings emerge by degrees of the presence of water, indications of life, and details of encroaching civilization. The sequence of these stone carvings requires that the viewer keep moving along the walkway to transition to the “oasis.”

Tapping Tim e At Osborn/Central Ave., Midtown Phoenix

Thomas Sayre, a North Carolina artist, created artwork that emphasizes the audience and subject for the project are the riders themselves. Waiting is the theme, and what people do while waiting for the next train.

Historical Photography At Indian School/Central Ave., Midtown Phoenix

Mary Lucking observed the changes transforming this neighborhood. In this Native American photography project, she focused on the people and institutions that existed before the station was built. Historical photographs of buildings and streets provide a unique view of how Central Avenue appeared then.

Hyperbolic Parabola At Campbell/Central Ave., Uptown Phoenix

Al Price, a local artist, provides a timeless elegance for the neighborhood. His hyperbolic parabola creates a water-like motion for the viewer in motion. The geometric shapes reflecting the sun also play on the ground with the sun’s movement.

Landmark And Trough, Seat, And Tree At Pierson Place, Central Ave./Camelback, Uptown Phoenix

Ilan Averbuch created Landmark , the massive 24-foot ring of desert stones that frames the transit center access drive and Central Avenue. The Hopi belief is that life is a circle that we enter at a particular place, and this landmark represents an entry point.

The Trough, Seat, and Tree , also created by Averbuch, is meant to be seen, to sit on, and to rest and meditate about the interconnectedness of all three elements — under the shadow of a growing tree, next to a fragile line of water carved in stone.

Terrazzo Pavers At 7th Ave./Camelback, Melrose District, Uptown Phoenix

Nubia Owens, a Phoenix resident, crafted the carpet of more than 200 terrazzo tiles to create an experience for commuters who would see this daily and imagine the metaphorical to straightforward messages in the imagery.

Returning through downtown and heading eastbound, I went as far as Veterans Way/College Avenue station on the Arizona State University campus, also a transit center. Another visit will take me out to Mesa to experience the public art in those stations along the way and other art venues.

Representation Matters At Roosevelt/Central Ave., Downtown Phoenix

Jerome Fleming, aka Kulorbandit, was the Artsline Spotlight Artist during my visit. Easily visible from the street, you don’t have to catch the train to enjoy this building-sized mural, Representation Matters . Kulorbandit drew inspiration from Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in history, who performed at the presidential inauguration.

Kinetic Shade Trellis At Roosevelt/Central Ave., Downtown Phoenix

Peter Richards, a San Francisco artist, created a place for people to gather and linger. The kinetic shade trellis is in two parts, with the upper canopy freely suspended over the stationary lower canopy. The perforated metal panels generate geometric shadows on the ground.

Bronze Sculptures At Veterans Way/College Ave., Tempe

Tad Savinar, a Portland artist, placed 18 bronze sculptures on stone pedestals. Each sculpture depicts a local or regional landmark. Braille quotations on plaques attached to the pedestals are quotes from visually impaired residents who related their experiences at the landmarks in this station.

Papago Portal At Priest Dr./Washington, Tempe

Laurie Lundquist created a metaphorical canal for the Salt River Project, referencing the ancient Hohokam canals. Pennies equated with water, currency in local landmarks, the metal wavelets overhead, and red granite walls with granite pavers tell the local environment’s story.

Before boarding, take your time to walk the entire length of the station. Depending on the installation, the themed pieces may be at either end. 

Also, the only way to see some artwork is to enter the station because it is small and not visible from the street or sidewalk across the street.

Finally, study the artists and artworks here or on Artsline before embarking on this train trip. It will make each experience more meaningful. And as always, when on public transportation, stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. 

If You’ve Worked Up An Appetite

Tocaya Modern Mexican is an easy three-block walk from the transit station on the ASU campus. This casual eatery offers light fare with vegan, vegetarian, or meat options as proteins that you add to the base dish. The open-air bar gives a sense of light and spaciousness. Place your order at the counter, and they bring your meal to a table you select inside or outside.

Match Market & Bar , located on Central Avenue at Roosevelt in the Roosevelt Row Arts District, is upscale but casual. It’s a local café, bar, and market overlooking Portland Park. Curated merchandise like fun clothes, unique kitchen items, locally sourced swag, and gourmet essentials is a lovely setting for socializing at the bar. After a full day of branding photography, we enjoyed great tart, delicious Moscow Mules served in chilled copper cups that kept our adult beverages icy cold.

Final Thoughts

What I liked the best about this public art is that I could get up close and touch it, walk on or around it, or sit on it. I wonder how many people experience the art at the light rail stations. Are they intent on reaching their destination, or do they take the time to share in the community of Phoenix?

If you’re looking for more art in the Copper State , consider:

• My 8 Favorite Galleries In Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona
• My 8 Favorite Chihuly Glass Art Pieces At Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden
• 7 Best Places To See Petroglyphs In Arizona

And if you’re left looking for things to do in and around Phoenix when you hop off the light rail, consider these articles to get you started:

• 10 Unique Bars In Phoenix
• 8 Best Experiences In Phoenix For Nature Lovers, Without Strenuous Hiking

Julie Diebolt Price is a professional photographer, educator, author, and journalist. She helps solo entrepreneurs establish companies with imagery and business training. She educates and mentors aspiring photographers. As a journalist who loves to travel, she creates memorable experiences and shares them with words and pictures.

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Railroads & Locomotives Maps Phoenix Valley Metro Light Rail Route Map

Phoenix Valley Metro Light Rail Route Map

| Last updated on March 17, 2021

The Phoenix Valley Metro light rail line serves the downtown and surround cities. Riders flocked to the line in 2009; extensions are planned

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Phoenix Light Rail News and Information

AZ Light Rail travel times

August 21, 2008 by Rail Life 4 Comments

We get a lot of questions on how light rail will operate. Many of these questions have to do with navigating the light rail line and how long it will take to get from point a to point b. Here is a little bit of info as provided by Metro . If you want to travel the entire (approx 20 mile) light rail route, it is projected to take 60 minutes. The trains run at posted speed limits up to 35 miles per hour. Some of the destination times can be broken down as follows:

Tentative hours and frequency are: (source Metro Fast facts, last update 8/18/08) Hours. The service day begins at 4:40 a.m. on all platforms. Trains depart all platforms for the last full-trip of the evening at 11 p.m., arriving at their respective ends-of-the-line at midnight.

Currently, the scheduled run times are: During the week t rains will arrive at all stations every 10 minutes between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. At all other times, trains will arrive at stations every 20 minutes. On weekends, trains will arrive at stations every 15 minutes between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. At all other times, trains will arrive at stations every 20 minutes. During special events, trains may operate more frequently to accommodate large crowds.

* Note; if traveling from downtown Phoenix to the airport (or vice versa) please allow extra time for the shuttle service from the li ght rail station at 44th and Washington streets. From the METRO station at 44 th /Washington, passengers cross the street to the south and board an airport shuttle bus. The airport shuttle bus connects to all terminals and arrives approximately every six minutes. ** Update: New information now available re: “Metro Light Rail to and from Sky Harbor Airport” **

About Rail Life

Here at RailLife.com we like to say, Your Life Is On The Line! We enjoy talkin events, restaurants, real estate and cool stuff along the Phoenix light rail line: Please have some fun and follow along with us on Twitter!

August 22, 2008 at 8:25 am

The issue of when the last train at night runs continues to confuse me (and just about everyone else I’ve discussed this with). This wording is particularly confusing:

“Trains depart all platforms for the last full-trip of the evening at 11 p.m., arriving at their respective ends-of-the-line at midnight.”

Taken literally, that would mean that a train will leave each of the 28 stations simultaneously at 11 PM. Obviously, that can’t be right. We’re not going to have 28 trains running at the same time.

So, what does it mean? Do trains leave the two termini, 19th Ave / Montebello and Sycamore / Main, at 11 PM? If so, the last trains will pass through Downtown Phoenix and Downtown Tempe sometime between 11:20 and 11:43 depending on direction of travel. Not only are these hours on the early side, but they’re confusing.

For the most part, Metro has done a good job with its communications, but this aspect really needs more clarity.

August 22, 2008 at 2:41 pm

I couldn’t agree more. The time lines are odd and I wish they had decided on later run times. I do believe they are still considering later times, they probably need to hear it from a lot of people first. 🙂 Thanks for commenting. I’ll try to get someone from Metro to clarify and post a follow up.

March 21, 2009 at 9:12 am

I was just thinking about AZ Light Rail travel times and you’ve really helped out. Thanks!

July 2, 2009 at 4:41 am

Thanks again for your tips on this particular subject.

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Phoenix Light Rail Timetable 4+

Mark schlesinger, designed for iphone.

• 1.0 • 4 Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

iPhone Screenshots

Description.

Timetable for Phoenix Light Rail. Shows all stations, stop times and routes. Ad-supported version with in-app purchase to remove ads. Not affiliated with Phoenix Metro.

Version 3.01

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. Updated timetable

Ratings and Reviews

Don't waste your time.

Seriously! Download "Board On Time" instead. Unlike this app, it has a scrollable map, shows where you are and where the closest stations are, not just a list. Oh, and accurate times!! The ads on this app even covered up the one stop I needed!! I couldn't select it! Apple, wake up and clean house on useless apps with horrendous reviews!

New stations added a year ago , but still missing from schedule

What's the point of creating an app if you're not going to support it? The west bound light rail now goes to 19th Ave & Dunlap but that is missing from the schedules. East bound goes to Mesa Drive & Main Street.

Pretty terrible

The new update includes bus stops as well as the light rail, but now it is so much less customer friendly. It doesn't even label east or west bound! It's hard to navigate and mislabels or doesn't include some stops. Now it is terrible.

App Privacy

The developer, Mark Schlesinger , has not provided details about its privacy practices and handling of data to Apple.

No Details Provided

The developer will be required to provide privacy details when they submit their next app update.

Information

English, Spanish

• Remove Ads $0.99
• Developer Website
• App Support

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South Phoenix businesses have 1 year left to claim help for light rail construction woes

Small businesses in South Phoenix, struggling with the disruption caused by light rail construction, have one more year to get financial help from Valley Metro.

This year, Valley Metro encourages small businesses to take advantage of the grants being offered as the minimum amount businesses will receive has been raised to $4,500.

Since 2021, Valley Metro's Small Business Financial Assistance Program has been providing grants worth anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000 to locally-owned, small and micro businesses that are based around the construction corridor for the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub light rail project.

Funded through Phoenix Transportation 2050, Valley Metro's South Central Extension and Downtown Hub is projected to cost $1.3 billion and includes 5.5 miles of new light rail tracks. The extension begins at McKinley Street between First and Central avenues, creating a loop to the existing Valley Metro Rail, then continues south on Central Avenue to Baseline Road.

Planning for the eight-station light rail extension began in 2012 and construction started in 2019. Five years later, it is expected to complete construction later this year and open for operation in 2025. Valley Metro has not provided an exact date yet.

In the past three years, Valley Metro has accepted more than 200 businesses to the Small Business Financial Assistance Program, distributing more than $1 million in grant funding.

“For a lot of the businesses that received grants this was kind of a lifeline for them and this funding in 2021 gave them that extra boost that they needed,” said Juliana Vasquez-Keating, public information officer for Valley Metro. “Businesses were shutting down because of the pandemic. This was just that extra boost that they needed to either pay their employees or pay their rent,” she said.

The Small Business Financial Assistance Program is funded through Phoenix Transportation 2050 and the Phoenix Community Development and Investment Corporation but is facilitated by Valley Metro.

Old School City, a custom apparel and accessory retailer located on South Central Avenue, has been open in Phoenix since before the pandemic, and is a recurring Small Business Financial Assistance Program recipient. Willie Aguilar, the owner of Old School City, said his experience applying for and receiving funding the past three years has been great and that he has already submitted the application for the final year of funds.

“It got us caught up on some rent and we were able to keep our doors open,” said Aguilar. Aguilar and his mother are the only employees of Old School City.

The minimum requirements for businesses to receive grant funding include being locally owned, employing 15 people or less, and making $750,000 annually or less. Applicants must also be located on or with exclusive access from South Central Avenue between Washington Street and Baseline Road, Third Avenue Loop, Fifth Avenue Loop, or McKinley Loop to be eligible for funding.

The Small Business Financial Assistance Program determines how much money businesses are awarded based on a two-tiered system. Small businesses that meet the minimum eligibility requirements can receive Tier 1 funding of $4,500.

To be eligible for Tier 2, and receive anywhere from $4,500 to $9,000, the business has to have experienced a loss of revenue after the start of construction, when compared to prior to the start of construction. The business must also be willing to sign an agreement to not seek damages for loss of revenue due to construction impacts.

• Visit https://prestamoscdfi.org/vm2024/#hrsection
• Confirm that your business meets all eligibility requirements.
• Provide additional documents. Documentation that may be requested includes: a copy of business license; a copy of photo ID of all owners; articles of organization or incorporation; tax Form W-9 completed for business; cash-based monthly income statements; invoices, statements, receipts to be paid with the funds; and a business tax return.
• Fill out business information on the application and submit to Martin Cordova, Business Advisor, Prestamos CDFI, at [email protected]

Vasquez-Keating said the amount of time it takes to complete the application and receive notification of approval can vary on a case-by-case basis. Once all documentation is submitted, however, processing takes an estimated three business days.

Businesses that do not meet the Small Business Financial Assistance Program requirements can still receive free professional business consulting through Valley Metro. More information can be found at https://prestamoscdfi.org/vm2024/#hrsection under “Professional Business Consulting Services.”

High-speed rail to Las Vegas is coming as soon as 2028. Here are more details

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Southern Californians can expect to board a high-speed train as soon as 2028 for a two-hour ride to Las Vegas, officials on the $12-billion project said when construction ceremonially broke ground Monday in Sin City.

“We’ll move millions of people between two of the most exciting and important regions of the country, Southern California and here in southern Nevada,” said Wes Edens, Brightline’s founder and chairman and a private equity billionaire. “We are the only industrialized country in the world that doesn’t have a high-speed rail in America, and four years from now, we won’t be saying that anymore.”

At the soon-to-be site of Brightline’s train depot in Las Vegas, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo and Brightline executives to tout the 218-mile federally subsidized electric rail system. Backers of the line say it will help reduce pollution along often congested Interstate 15, which runs between the two regions.

“I really view this as the beginning of the high-speed rail era in the United States of America,” Buttigieg said.

The project, whose construction launched on Earth Day, is expected to cut 800 million pounds of carbon pollution a year once completed, Buttigieg said.

Brightline, a private company that operates an intercity rail line connecting Miami and Orlando, Fla., hopes to be the first to run a private high-speed service in the U.S.

SoCal to Vegas in two hours? High-speed rail comes closer to reality with $3-billion award

Bullet train project connecting Inland Empire and Las Vegas scores a $3-billion award. Brightline West would be the fastest high-speed rail to operate in the U.S.

Dec. 5, 2023

Its proposed railway has rapidly gone from blueprints to construction, unlike California’s high-speed line between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, whose progress has been slowed to a crawl by political disputes, cost overruns and permit delays.

To get the L.A.-to-Vegas idea off the ground, the federal government awarded Brightline West $3 billion from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act , which authorized up to $102 billion for rail improvements. The rest of the project will be privately funded, although taxpayers are contributing there as well; the Biden administration has enabled the project to borrow $3.5 billion through tax-exempt bonds .

The rail line will run within the highway median and support speeds of up to 200 mph. Upon completion, it will include 322 miles of overhead electrical lines to power the trains.

Even though ticket sales are four years away, here’s what we already know about possible ticket prices and stops along the route.

How much will tickets cost?

Brightline hasn’t announced ticket prices yet or even given a range of possible charges. With the project headed into four years of construction, Edens said, the company is “hardly ready to set prices right now.”

But Edens noted that ticket charges on other high-speed rail lines average 50 cents to $1 per mile, while Amtrak’s express service from New York to Washington costs about $1.25 a mile.

Edens previously told The Times that he’s looking at those amounts as possible charges on this line, which would put the cost at more than $400 for a round trip from Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas.

But he noted on Monday that to stay competitive with airfare and driving, the price would probably go up and down, depending on demand, seasons and other factors.

Where will the stations be?

Southern Californians can catch a ride on the high-speed train at stations in Rancho Cucamonga, Hesperia, Victor Valley and Las Vegas.

About four miles north of Ontario International Airport, the Rancho Cucamonga station will sit on a five-acre property at the northwest corner of Milliken Avenue and Azusa Court in San Bernardo County. This station will be co-located with California Metrolink trains to and from downtown Los Angeles and other locations in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

The Hesperia station will be at the 15 Freeway and Joshua Street interchange. This station also will host local rail service for residents in the high desert on select weekday trains.

In Apple Valley, the Victor Valley station will be on a 300-acre parcel southeast of Dale Evans Parkway and the 15 Freeway interchange. This station is intended to offer a future connection to the multimodal High Desert Corridor and the California High Speed Rail line.

Las Vegas’ station will be situated on the Las Vegas Strip, north of Blue Diamond Road between the 15 Freeway and Las Vegas Boulevard. This station will give riders access to the Harry Reid International Airport, the Las Vegas Convention Center and the NFL Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium through local transit services.

All four stations are slated to have parking. Those in Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas will have approximately 80,000 square feet of parking, and Victor Valley is expected to have 20,000 square feet. No details were available Monday about the parking planned for the Hesperia station.

More to Read

Letters to the Editor: Is California’s future high-speed rail too late and too costly to be worth it?

March 30, 2024

Despite some progress, state’s high-speed rail is $100 billion short and many years from reality

March 21, 2024

Biden touts high-speed rail between Southern California and Las Vegas

March 19, 2024

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Karen Garcia is a reporter on the Fast Break Desk, the team that has a pulse on breaking news at the Los Angeles Times. She was previously a reporter on the Utility Journalism Team, which focused on service journalism. Her previous stints include reporting for the San Luis Obispo New Times and KCBX Central Coast Public Radio.

Rachel Uranga covers transportation and mobility for the Los Angeles Times. She previously reported for the Los Angeles Business Journal, Reuters in Mexico City and Southern California News Group, where she later served on its editorial board.

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