ARIZONA NEWS

Ridership on Valley Metro light rail soars during week of Super Bowl

Feb 17, 2023, 4:00 PM | Updated: 4:28 pm

(Facebook Photo/Valley Metro)...

(Facebook Photo/Valley Metro)

(Facebook Photo/Valley Metro)

PHOENIX — Valley Metro’s light rail saw an uptick in ridership of 60% during a weekend that saw Super Bowl LVII and the WM Phoenix Open in town.

About 250,000 people set foot on the rail system from Feb. 4-5 and Feb. 9-12.

“Our accessible and efficient light rail system met the needs of tens of thousands of residents and visitors this past week, and along the way showcased how Phoenix’s continued investment in public transit supports our efforts to sustainably grow our city, create jobs and reduce our carbon footprint,” Mayor Kate Gallego said in a press release.

Valley Metro extended its hours to accommodate for the many Super Bowl events happening in town, especially in downtown Phoenix.

Trains ran until 2 a.m. during the weekend, an extension of three hours from the typical schedule.

More than 400 Valley Metro employees across various departments helped staff during the week, and 150 of those staff were present at stations and park-and-rides to answer questions.

“I am extremely proud of our entire Valley Metro team,” Valley Metro CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller said in the release.

“They have demonstrated their expertise in successfully and safely moving hundreds of thousands of people on light rail during four busy days of major Super Bowl events.”

Super Bowl LVII was held Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the Philadelphia Eagles.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Google Maps screenshot)...

KTAR.com

Camelback Road closed in Glendale after fatal hit-and-run crash

Camelback Road was closed for hours on Sunday morning after police responded to the area near 74th Avenue after a man was found dead on the street.

10 hours ago

(Desert Ridge Photo)...

KTAR.com

Dog-friendly The Backyard to open location at Desert Ridge in north Phoenix

The Backyard, an indoor/outdoor sports bar, is slated to open on Tatum Boulevard at Desert Ridge Marketplace in Scottsdale in 2024.

10 hours ago

(Facebook Photo/Experience Fountain Hills)...

KTAR.com

Fountain Hills joins dementia-friendly community network

Fountain Hills has joined the Dementia Friendly America program, a national network that seeks to ensure communities are equipped to support people with dementia and their caregivers.

10 hours ago

The number of people driving more than 90 minutes to get to work has dropped in the Valley. (Jim Po...

Jeff Gifford/Phoenix Business Journal

Phoenix metro follows national trend as number of ‘super commuters’ declines

The number of people traveling more than 90 minutes to get to work in the Phoenix metro has dropped by 36% since 2019.

10 hours ago

(Facebook File Photo/Glendale Police Department - Arizona)...

KTAR.com

Elderly woman kills husband in Glendale amid domestic dispute

Police in Glendale are investigating a murder of an elderly man who was reportedly shot by his wife on Saturday.

1 day ago

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS...

Associated Press

Biden, GOP reach tentative deal to raise debt ceiling, avoid calamitous US default

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an “agreement in principle” late Saturday as they raced to strike a deal to limit federal spending and resolve the looming debt crisis, the House speaker said.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

...

SANDERSON FORD

Thank you to Al McCoy for 51 years as voice of the Phoenix Suns

Sanderson Ford wants to share its thanks to Al McCoy for the impact he made in the Valley for more than a half-decade.

(Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona Photo)...

Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona

5 common causes for chronic neck pain

Neck pain can debilitate one’s daily routine, yet 80% of people experience it in their lives and 20%-50% deal with it annually.

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...

Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.

Ridership on Valley Metro light rail soars during week of Super Bowl