My mother with 3 of my kids at rail opening

It is finally here, after years of planning and $1.3 billion, the METRO light rail has finally hit Phoenix and the Valley.

I am one of the few from Mesa who this will benefit. Living in west Mesa I am only a couple of miles from the furthest east stop on the rail, which is Main and Sycamore. Mesa could have really benefited from the light rail if it had gone into east Mesa. East Mesa to downtown Phoenix can be a a tough commute and the light rail could have greatly benefited those who wanted to work in the city, but wanted to live in a more rural area like east Mesa. Downtown Mesa also could have benefited from an expanded rail. With the museums the city has invested so heavily in, Mesa could have used another easy way to get commuters to their hidden treasures.

There is plans to expand the METRO in the coming years and hopefully central and east Mesa will be included in those plans. Until then we will have to just deal with what we have, which is a new clean, quick and convenient way to get to Tempe and downtown Phoenix.

I was one of the estimated 150,000 who braved the chilly (for Central AZ) weather on Saturday to take a crowded ride on the rail. I was happy with what I saw and look forward to using it to get to ASU games, Diamondback games and to Central Phoenix. I know not everyone is thrilled with the METRO project, but I hope the nay-sayers give it a chance before they give up to easily.

Today marks the one week countdown until light rail officially opens for passengers in Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix and the whole Valley. The best part is, the first five days of the light rail will be free to all riders. On December 27th celebrations will begin at 10 AM and run through 5 PM with free rides concluding at 8 PM.

On January 1st the light rail will assume normal hours of operation and will begin charging their regular fees. During the week days the train will arruve every ten minutes from 6 AM until 7 PM and trains will arrive every 20 minutes during other normal operation hours.

We hope to see you next Saturday. If you want more information on the METRO light rail check out our friends at RailLife.com.

The METRO light rail has been running in the Valley for a few weeks now so drivers can get used to seeing the trains. While no passengers are on the METRO, the trains will be running the full length of the rail which is set to open on December 27th. Today a light rail car had its first accident with a vehicle as the train had a minor accident with a car near 24th and Washington.

For more information on the Metro light rail you can visit our friends at Raillife.com.

It is being reported in today’s papers that fares for the new METRO light rail could be increased before it even opens. Daily passes could be raised from $2.50/day to $4.50. This would not have been an issue if they had not released fares before hand, but they did. This move could end up turning off riders from Mesa and Tempe who may have already been a little reluctant, but keeping an open mind.

December 27th is coming quick, that is the day the Phoenix METRO light rail system finally opens. The one stop source for all things light rail has been Nick Bastian over at raillife.com.

Nick was featured in this month’s REALTOR magazine in a story on beating the traffic.

Nick has been a leading advocate for the light rail in Mesa/Tempe area.

December 27th at 10 a.m. the Phoenix Metro Light Rail opens! There will be music, exhibits and other activities at various park-n-ride light rail locations throughout the East Valley including Tempe and Mesa.

On both Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th you will be able to ride 20-mile the light rail for free.

Not sure if the light rail will be beneficial to you? Check out the more detailed maps to see where the light rail will be making stops.

I know there was a lot of mixed opinions on whether the light rail should have been built or not. No matter what your opinion was, light rail is here. Give it a try, who knows it may surprise you.