New Light Rail Schedule Starts Today
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By adamk
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Van Buren / 1st Ave (SEB)
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By Allie Nicodemo
CityCircles Collaborator
Starting July 26, everyone who rides METRO light rail will have to wait a bit longer for a train, and early morning riders may have to wait twice as long.
Currently, rush hour service begins at 6 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. on weekdays, with trains coming every 10 minutes during those peak hours and every 20 minutes at all other times.
Under the new schedule, service will still begin at 6 a.m., but peak hours will not start until 7:30 a.m., meaning that early morning commuters may have to wait up to 20 minutes for a train. During peak hours, trains will come every 12 minutes instead of 10 as part of the new changes.
With the slow economy and a decrease in sales tax collections, METRO spokeswoman Hillary Foose says light rail service reductions were necessary and will save METRO about $1.6 million this year. [Click here to see the rest of the service changes.]
Foose says the changes were decided upon after a series of public meetings where officials discussed the needs and priorities of light rail riders.
“Changes to the peak period and service level were less impactful than some of the other options that included eliminating late night service and going from 10 to 15 minutes in the peak,” Foose says.
However, the changes will affect those riders who take early morning trains. John Becker, 46, uses the light rail to commute to work each morning, beginning at the University Drive and Rural Road stop and getting off at Central Avenue and McDowell. He says he knew the trains would be coming less often, but was not aware of the change in peak hours.
“I’ll be sitting here a lot longer, which I won’t like,” Becker says, “I’ll probably have to adjust my morning schedule.”
Becker says he and many other working professionals get to the light rail at 6 a.m. on the weekdays, and that pushing back the peak hours will impact their morning commute to work.
“Undoubtedly, [METRO] is unaware that in most cities, rush hour starts at 6 a.m.,” Becker says. He added that METRO has caused riders unnecessary trouble in the past, like when construction was done on the light rail during the day rather than at night when less people ride.
Foose says she believes the changes are only temporary.
“In the future, we hope to see the economy rebound, sales tax revenue increase and restore service. The customer is our priority and we want to out the best level of service we can to maintain and grow our customer base.”
Got a story idea or a news tip for the light rail community? Email Adam at adam@citycircles.com.
