I just don't get it.

They spent over 1.4 BILLION dollars to install a "big-city" style trolley/train because that has to be the future of transit in any city the size of Phoenix. Meanwhile, during the years of construction, they tore up Central Avenue so badly and restricted access to the local businesses along the corridor. They also paid a pretty penny to buy up lots of land and level the businesses on the south side of Camelback to create a transit center/park and ride with an ugly, round metal statue thing. (That's "art" and big city people love "art!")

Fast forward: December 27, 2008. They've got the neat trolley/train going but, it looks like there's going to be a budget crunch. Time to reduce service. No buses after 10PM during the week, after 8PM on the weekends. Even though they run the trolley/train line until after midnight on many sections of the route, who is going to ride it if there are no intersecting bus routes during the same hours of service? (Duh... That's really bright, isn't it?)

Fast forward again: Today, 06/06/09. Valley Metro consumers are preparing for a fare hike beginning 07/01/09. Increased fares for reduced services? You bet! I wish I could do less work for a 6 month period AND receive a 40% increase in pay! Essentially, this is what Valley Metro is doing. They overspent on this trolley/train that reaches too few citizens and are now forcing us to pay for this mistake.

Yes, mistake. For what was spent on the trolley/train, Valley Metro could have purchased several more energy efficient buses and actually increased service to the entire Valley; not just those who happen to live along today's light rail tracks.

Also, let's keep in mind that traffic patterns change in a growing city. A heavily traveled route of today may not be in 5 years. If you're running buses, you can easily adjust where the buses go at what times of the day. Light rail is limited to travel only where there are tracks... Completely inflexible for the needs of a growing city/metro area.

The trolley/train does look pretty neat as it travels up and down Central Ave, among the tall buildings of midtown, I admit. Almost like a real city.

But, a "real city" has "real transit" not this half-star horror we call Valley Metro. Even a half star rating would be too good, at this point!

freaking sucks. this is the worst transporation system I have EVER ridden, and I lived in Houston, Dallas, Washington DC, LA, and Seattle. Phoenix Valley Metro is very bad and now with the light rail its making things worst than it already is. For a giant city like Phoenix you think bus service would be good, but even in Tucson the buses run better and later at night. It sucks because now all buses end at 10 on the weekdays and at 8 on the weekends. what kind of bus service is this for a major big city?
I would rate this bus system as half of a star but it wouldnt let me.

Wouldn't ride with Valley Metro if my life depended on it.

The buses don't go where I need them to go in an acceptable amount of time. I live and work near two malls, both in the east valley. By car it takes 35 minutes (45 minutes during rush hour), but by bus it would be almost 2 hours!

Incredibly disorganized. Phoenix is a gigantic grid, so you'd think that running buses would be a simple matter - or that air conditioning them would be a necessity - but you'd be wrong. The whole system needs to be reorganized and rethought, and fast - Phoenix is getting so big it really needs reliable public transport systems.

We have public transportation here? Ohh! Those things every now and then that get in the way of all the cars? Got it! They suck.