Valley Metro launches two-line light rail system in Phoenix

The light rail managed by Valley Metro has been a fixture of transportation for Arizona residents since opening in 2008. A new change is coming to the rail however: The transformation of the light rail into a two-line system.

One line runs North and South of Central Phoenix, while the other line runs East and West from Mesa to Central Phoenix. The two lines will meet at the Downtown Phoenix Hub. What will this update to the system mean for riders?

Renata Clo, Public Information Officer for Valley Metro, joined “Arizona Horizon” to explain what the change will mean for users of the rail going forward.

The 5.5 miles of new tracks will provide for eight new stations between Lincoln/ 1st Ave and Baseline/ Central Ave. This extension expands access across Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, with an estimated 8,000 new riders looking to now board the Valley Metro.

With the new changes, riders might feel confusion when navigating the new line expansions. However, Flo reassures riders by saying, “We have a lot of signage at the Downtown Hub. We also have our customer experience coordinators. They’re helping out people and answering questions, and also our security guards. We have so much information online as well.”

While the South Central expansion is taking close to five years to complete, the Valley Metro is not slowing down on their upcoming projects.

“The expansion is going to keep expanding. We have two projects still in the beginning phases, but we do think that the South Central expansion is set to expand to the Capitol,” Clo said regarding the future plans for the Valley Metro and line expansions.