Thursday July 30, 2009

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

NIGHT RAIL SHOWS COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR LATE NIGHT RAIL SERVICE
Midnight Gathering Scheduled in Downtown Phoenix

WHAT:  Several community groups are showing their support for METRO Light Rail’s extended weekend service hours by collaborating in the Night Rail event.

Friday night, participants will take Light Rail from either Uptown Phoenix or Downtown Tempe to meet at the Roosevelt Light Rail Station in Downtown Phoenix.

WHEN:  Friday, July 31, 2009. Starting at 10:00 p.m. in Phoenix and Tempe, with a Midnight gathering in Downtown Phoenix.

WHY:  With the support of the City of Phoenix and City of Tempe, METRO Light Rail extended its weekend service hours to 2:00 a.m. to better serve the community and businesses along the light rail line.

This was done on a TRIAL BASIS, so it is important that people are aware of the change and maintain ridership.  As Nick Bastian of Rail Life blog said, "Use it lose it."

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: The public is invited to (1) ride the METRO Light Rail late Friday night and patronize businesses along the line; (2) join friends and neighbors at 12:00 a.m. at the Roosevelt Station; and (3) remember to take advantage of the late night service in the future!

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
Scheduled gatherings include:
10:00 p.m. Maizie’s Café & Bistro, 4750 North Central Avenue, Phoenix
10:00 p.m. Monti’s La Casa Vieja, 100 South Mill Avenue, Tempe
12:00 a.m. Roosevelt Station, Roosevelt Street and Central Avenue, Downtown PHOENIX (NOT Tempe as reported by some outlets)

WHO IS INVOLVED?  Local First Arizona, Rail Life , Downtown Phoenix Journal, CenPho TV, Downtown Voices Coalition , RadiatePHX, Urban Affair, Get Your Phx, Kyle Moyer and Company, local bloggers, and more.

CONTACT: See above or contact Catrina Knoebl 602-579-2988.

Follow Twitter hashtag #nightrail.

 ###