Valley Metro Rail

Valley Metro Rail
Company type	Public transit system
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	December 27, 2008; 17 years ago
Headquarters	Phoenix, United States
Area served	Phoenix metropolitan area, Arizona, United States
Products	Light rail transit services
Owner	Valley Metro
Website	www.valleymetro.org

Valley Metro Rail operates as a light rail transit system within the Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona, United States. It is integrated into the broader Valley Metro public transportation network and commenced service on December 27, 2008. In , the system achieved an annual ridership of , with an average weekday usage of approximately as recorded in .

Since its inauguration, the network has undergone six expansions, which include the incorporation of the 50th Street/Washington station infill and the Valley Metro Streetcar. Additionally, two more extensions are in the planning stages. Ongoing projects aim to extend lines westward into Phoenix, reaching areas such as the Arizona State Capitol and Desert Sky Mall, financed through the Proposition 104 sales tax increment.

Lines

Within Valley Metro's framework, a line designates a named service characterized by its route and associated stations, differing from the physical track-based definitions used in systems like the New York City Subway nomenclature.

Line name	Stations	Termini
Line name	Stations	Western/Northern	Eastern/Southern
Template:Rint A Line	23	Downtown Phoenix Hub	Gilbert Road/Main Street
Template:Rint B Line	27	Metro Parkway	Baseline/Central Avenue

Background

Before light rail services were introduced, Phoenix was served by the Phoenix Street Railway streetcar network from 1887 until 1948. Historical streetcars, such as Car #116, are preserved at the Phoenix Trolley Museum. In 1989, voters rejected the ValTrans elevated rail proposal due to concerns over cost and practicality; subsequent similar efforts during the 1990s also did not succeed.

The creation of Valley Metro resulted from the Transit 2000 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which Phoenix voters approved in 2000 by endorsing a half-cent sales tax. Transit 2000 sought to enhance insufficient bus services and implement bus rapid transit corridors, adopting route alignments and color schemes from the earlier ValTrans initiative. A key component was establishing a new light rail corridor across the Phoenix metropolitan area, reintroducing rail transit absent since the mid-20th century. Additional funding was obtained in 2004 when Proposition 400 extended this half-cent countywide sales tax to finance further rail development.

Initial light-rail segment

Construction for the light rail began in March 2005 with an anticipated budget of $1.4 billion, equating to approximately $70 million per mile. The initial phase covered a 20-mile stretch containing 28 stations linking Phoenix and Mesa. In March 2008, defects caused by improper plasma cutting were detected in rails; repairs were completed by May at a cost of $600,000, though responsibility remained unresolved. By late April, installation of all concrete structures and rails was finished, with project leadership confirming adherence to schedule and budget.

The line officially commenced operations on December 27, 2008, marked by ribbon-cutting ceremonies held throughout Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa that attracted thousands of attendees. Station designs were tailored to their environments, featuring platforms roughly 16 feet wide and extending about 300 feet in length.

By early 2014, farebox recovery reached 44.6%, exceeding Valley Metro’s targets due to ridership surpassing forecasts. The introduction of light rail stimulated rapid urban growth in downtown Phoenix and Tempe, contributing to increased tax revenues.

April 2017 marked a record month for Valley Metro with over 1.5 million passengers and an average weekday ridership nearing 53,000. During a weekend in early April of that year, total boardings reached 275,615 amid major events such as Final Four Fan Fest, March Madness Music Festival, Arizona Diamondbacks home opener, Phoenix Pride Festival, Phoenix Suns game, and Tempe Festival of the Arts; notably, April 2 alone saw more than 80,000 boardings.

Segment description	Date opened	Current line(s) on segment	Endpoints	Number of new stations	Length (miles)	Construction cost
Central Phoenix/East Valley Light Rail Line	December 27, 2008	Template:Rint Template:Rint	Template:Stn – Template:Stn	28	20	$1.4 billion
Central Mesa Extension	August 22, 2015	Template:Rint	Template:Stn – Template:Stn	4	3.1	$200 million
Northwest Extension Phase I	March 19, 2016	Template:Rint	Template:LAMs – Template:Stn	3	3.2	$267 million
50th Street infill station	April 25, 2019	Template:Rint	Template:Stn	1^{[lower-alpha 1]}	–	$22.9 million
Gilbert Road Extension	May 18, 2019	Template:Rint	Template:Stn – Template:LAMs	2	1.9	$184 million
Northwest Extension Phase II	January 27, 2024	Template:Rint	Template:Stn – Template:Stn	3	1.6	$401 million
South Central Extension	June 7, 2025	Template:Rint Template:Rint	Downtown Phoenix Hub – Template:Stn	8	5.5	$1.34 billion
Total				50	38.5	$3.63 billion

Central Mesa Extension

The Central Mesa Extension expanded the rail system by , stretching service from Sycamore/Main Street to Mesa Drive/Main Street. This project introduced four additional stations along Main Street at Alma School Road, Country Club Drive, Center Street, and Mesa Drive, thereby establishing a direct connection to Downtown Mesa. In March 2012, Valley Metro selected a design-build partnership between Kiewit Corporation and Mass. Electric to undertake the construction.

Construction commenced in July 2012, with passenger operations beginning on August 22, 2015. The $200 million initiative was financed through Proposition 400 sales tax proceeds, federal air quality grants, and New Starts funding. It is estimated the extension boosted daily ridership by around 5,000 passengers. Before its completion, Mesa hosted a 2012 summit that brought together urban developers to discuss potential downtown revitalization opportunities related to the extension.

In 2016, the network was further extended northward from its former western endpoint at along the median of 19th Avenue to a new terminus featuring a park and ride facility in Phoenix. This addition comprised of track and three stations, with an anticipated daily ridership of approximately 5,000 in its inaugural full year.

Initially included in the Transit 2000 plan, this segment was originally slated for completion by 2012. However, due to lower-than-anticipated sales tax revenues and uncertainties surrounding federal funding, its opening was delayed first to 2014 and then pushed out to fiscal year 2023 by the Phoenix City Council in 2009. A subsequent vote in July 2012 rescheduled the launch for 2016. The city of Phoenix contributed $60 million in local funds to Valley Metro Rail, which covered the remaining $267 million cost through Transit 2000 and Proposition 400 resources, allowing construction to proceed.

The design-build contract for this extension was awarded to a joint venture between Sundt and Stacy and Witbeck covering the segment. Construction started in January 2013, with a key milestone in July 2014 marking the placement of the first track section. Work continued through December 2015 when testing phases began. The extension officially opened on March 19, 2016.

50th Street infill station

The 50th Street infill station represents the first infill addition within the Valley Metro Rail network, positioned at 50th Street and Washington. Fully funded by the city of Phoenix, construction started in June 2017 aiming to improve access to adjacent businesses as well as recent commercial and residential developments. While all Valley Metro stations comply with ADA standards, this station features expanded platforms and more gradual entrance ramps. It commenced service on April 25, 2019.

Gilbert Road Extension

The Gilbert Road Extension extended the line eastward by 1.9 miles beyond the Mesa Drive/Main Street terminus to Gilbert Road/Main Street. Construction began in October 2016 with operations starting on May 18, 2019. The project had an estimated budget of $184 million and runs along Main Street’s median, including one intermediate stop at Stapley Drive. The design-build contract was awarded to Sundt/Stacy and Witbeck, while Jacobs Engineering provided design expertise.

Streetcar

The S Line Streetcar operated by Valley Metro includes 14 stops, beginning at Dorsey Lane and Apache Boulevard, then proceeding westward along Apache Boulevard before turning north onto Mill Avenue. It circles through Downtown Tempe via Mill and Ash avenues, continuing along Rio Salado Parkway until reaching Marina Heights. Future plans consider extending the line to Mesa to provide a connection to the Chicago Cubs’ spring training site and Tempe Marketplace. Service officially started on May 20, 2022.

Northwest Extension Phase II

Building upon Northwest Phase I, Phase II stretches westward along Dunlap Avenue, then heads north on 25th Avenue, proceeding west on Mountain View Road and crossing Interstate 17 to end just east of the Metrocenter mall. This phase adds three new stations: one near 25th Avenue and Dunlap, another adjacent to the Rose Mofford Sports Complex, and a relocated Thelda Williams Transit Center at Metrocenter.

Although originally planned for a 2026 debut, the opening was moved up to 2024 after Phoenix City Council approved the Proposition 104 sales tax increase in 2015. The environmental review process began in October 2017. Construction contracts were awarded to Kiewit-McCarthy in July 2020, with service commencing on January 27, 2024.

Proposition 105 and South Extension

Thanks to funding from Proposition 104, the light rail expansion into South Phoenix was advanced by ten years. However, outreach efforts with South Phoenix residents and local businesses faced challenges due to proposals reducing lanes on Central Avenue from four to two as part of the extension. In February 2019, opponents collected sufficient signatures to trigger a citywide referendum concerning future light rail expansions. This referendum—Proposition 105—intended to halt further light rail growth but was ultimately rejected by voters in August 2019.

Construction on the South Central extension began in October 2019 and service launched on June 7, 2025. This project introduced a dual-line system: the A Line running between Downtown Phoenix Hub and Gilbert Road/Main Street station, and the B Line operating from Metro Parkway station to Baseline/Central Avenue station.

South Central Extension

The South Central Extension adds approximately eight new stations spanning from Downtown Phoenix southward along Central Avenue to Baseline Road, linking two park-and-ride facilities. This development establishes a light rail hub within Downtown Phoenix bordered by Central and First avenues as well as Washington and Jefferson streets. Additional track installations at Third Avenue and Fifth Street improve train turn-around capabilities and staging flexibility during peak periods. Trains on this route operate as the B Line, traveling from Baseline Road to the Downtown Hub before continuing northward to Metro Parkway by integrating segments of the existing network. Service began on June 7, 2025, marking the inauguration of a two-line system: the A Line connecting Downtown Phoenix Hub with Gilbert Road/Main Street, and the B Line running between Metro Parkway and Baseline/Central Avenue.

Route description

Valley Metro Rail manages two lines that cover approximately 38 miles and serve 50 stations throughout Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. The A Line originates at the Downtown Phoenix Hub, traveling east along First Avenue southbound before turning east onto Jefferson Street; westbound trains start at 26th Street on Washington Street, then proceed north on Central Avenue. East of 24th Street on Washington Street, both directions converge. The route continues past Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport—accessible via the PHX Sky Train at the 44th Street/Washington stop—before veering southeast toward Tempe. Beyond Center Parkway/Washington station, it departs from Washington Street’s median, crosses Tempe Town Lake on a bridge adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad, and moves eastward along Mill Avenue, linking with the Valley Metro Streetcar near Arizona State University. The line then heads south along Apache Boulevard (which becomes Main Street in Mesa) and terminates at Gilbert Road/Main Street station.

The B Line begins near the old Metrocenter mall at Metro Parkway station in Phoenix, running east atop an elevated viaduct over Interstate 17. It follows Mountain View Road before turning south onto 25th Street and crossing the Arizona Canal near Rose Mofford Sports Complex. The line then curves east on Dunlap Avenue and continues south along 19th Avenue for roughly four miles. After three stops, it turns east onto Camelback Road for 2.5 miles before heading south on Central Avenue into Downtown Phoenix. At Roosevelt Street, the tracks split into one-way pairs until Lincoln Street before reuniting at Hadley Street. The B Line proceeds south beneath Interstate 17 and crosses the Salt River bridge, concluding service at Baseline/Central Avenue station.

With the inauguration of the South Central Extension on June 7, 2025, Valley Metro Rail now operates two lines: the A Line running east-west from Gilbert Road/Main Street to Downtown Phoenix Hub (serving as a transfer hub), and the B Line running north-south from Metro Parkway to Baseline/Central Avenue.

Most train segments run within a dedicated center reservation along urban streets, comparable to Houston’s METRORail Red Line and Boston’s MBTA Green Line surface sections. Certain portions, such as the bridge over Tempe Town Lake, are fully separated from other vehicular traffic.

Hours and frequency

The full rail network (covering all stops between Metro Parkway and Gilbert Road/Main Street) operates Monday through Friday beginning near 4:30 a.m., with weekend service starting around 4:50 a.m., concluding daily close to 11 p.m. A complete journey lasts about 110 minutes; therefore, early morning and late-night operations are limited to segments between Priest Drive/Washington and Gilbert Road/Main Street as well as between 50th Street/Washington and Metro Parkway. This restricted service extends operational hours from as early as 3:30 a.m. until approximately 1 a.m.

On weekdays and Saturdays, trains arrive every 12 minutes, while Sunday intervals are set at every 20 minutes. After 8 p.m., all trains run on a 20-minute schedule until service ends.

Rolling stock

As of 2020, Valley Metro Rail’s fleet includes 50 Kinki Sharyo Low Floor Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) custom-designed for this system. Each unit accommodates 66 seated passengers and is specifically engineered for Phoenix’s desert climate with features like enhanced insulation, solar-reflective windows, and larger air conditioning systems. These LRVs provide accessibility for four wheelchairs and four bicycles per vehicle and employ hydraulic leveling technology to facilitate boarding. Typically operating in two- or three-car consists, these trains reach speeds up to 58 mph. Energy-absorbing bumpers help reduce collision damage—a critical feature given much of the line runs within street medians.

In 2017, Valley Metro awarded contracts to Brookville Equipment Corporation and Siemens Mobility for additional rolling stock: six Brookville Liberty streetcars intended for the Valley Metro Streetcar system and eleven Siemens light rail vehicles. The first Siemens vehicle was delivered in March 2020, followed by the initial Brookville streetcar in March 2021.

Manufacturer	Model	Quantity	Fleet numbers	Years in service
Kinki Sharyo	Low Floor Light Rail Vehicle	50	101–150	2008–present
Brookville Equipment Corporation	Liberty Streetcar	6	180–185	2022–present
Siemens	S700 (formerly S70)	25 (with options for 53 more)	201–225	2022–present

Fares

Valley Metro Rail utilizes the same fare structure as Valley Metro Bus, operating under a proof-of-payment system to facilitate efficient boarding and access to platforms. Fare payments contribute toward fare capping mechanisms. Passengers can obtain a reloadable Copper Card at station vending machines, through the Valley Metro App, or from select retail outlets; this card must be validated prior to boarding. Randomized fare inspections uphold a compliance rate of 94% as recorded in 2015.

Current and priority projects

Valley Metro’s key rail expansion initiatives include:

Concept name	Description	Construction	Operational	Status
Template:Rint Capitol Extension	Extends the A Line westward from Downtown Phoenix Hub to 15th Avenue/Jefferson and 15th Avenue/Washington.	2026–2028	2028	Pre-Construction
Template:Rint I-10 West Extension	Extends the A Line from 15th Avenue/Jefferson and 15th Avenue/Washington westward to Desert Sky Transit Center.	TBD	2030	Preliminary Engineering

Capitol Extension (2028)

The A Line will be extended westward from Downtown Phoenix to 15th Avenue, adding two new stations over an additional 0.8 miles. As of 2024, the project is undergoing environmental assessment procedures.

In March 2024, Jacobs Engineering was selected to lead civil engineering design efforts while PGH Wong Engineering was appointed for system design responsibilities. By May 2024, the project advanced into the environmental assessment (EA) stage.

I-10 West Extension (2030)

The I-10 West Extension plans to extend the rail line from 15th Avenue westward toward Interstate 17, then proceed north to the I-10/I-17 interchange known as "The Stack," before continuing west along I-10 past 43rd Avenue. This expansion will add approximately 10 miles and eight stations, facilitating connections to the West Valley and alleviating congestion on I-10. The route transitions from median alignment to shoulder running near 47th Avenue, featuring an elevated station adjacent to 51st Avenue.

In fall 2021, Phoenix City Council approved extending this corridor to Desert Sky Transit Center by Desert Sky Mall. The project entered preliminary engineering (PE) in May 2024.

West Phoenix

Beginning in 2013, Valley Metro collaborated with Glendale and Phoenix officials to explore extending light rail, bus rapid transit, or streetcar service into Glendale. Three potential routes were proposed, all extending westward from the current system toward a common terminus in Downtown Glendale. The options included alignments along Glendale Avenue, Camelback Road, and via 43rd and 51st avenues.

By February 2016, a community working group endorsed a preferred alignment proceeding west on Camelback Road to 43rd Avenue, then north along Glendale Avenue westward to 56th Avenue before turning north toward Glenn Drive and the downtown terminus. Light rail was chosen as the favored mode over bus rapid transit and streetcar alternatives.

However, on October 17, 2017, Glendale City Council discontinued plans for the downtown extension. Subsequently in early 2019, Phoenix City Council indefinitely postponed the remaining portion within Phoenix.

In 2022, Valley Metro renewed discussions regarding the West Phoenix Extension. The suggested route extends from 91st Avenue and Thomas Road westward to 75th Avenue and Thomas Road, then northward to Indian School Road, linking with the Indian School Road and Central Avenue station. As of 2023, this project is in the phase of adopting a locally preferred alternative. It will also provide connections with the I-10 West Extension at 79th Avenue and Thomas Road as well as with Phoenix BRT at 35th Avenue and Indian School Road.

On May 30, 2024, Phoenix City Council granted approval for the West Phoenix Extension project.

Additional Developments

By 2019, plans were in place to expand Arizona State University's West campus by 2044. Studies were also ongoing regarding potential light rail extensions in the cities of Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler. However, a previous examination of a Northeast light rail corridor was put on indefinite hold, as the Phoenix City Council redirected budget allocations toward roadway upkeep.

References

Informational notes

Citations

External links

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