This weekend a new light rail system opened in Phoenix, Arizona. The system is named "Valley Metro" and combines light rail with bus service to serve the greater Phoenix area. The light rail portion of the system covers 20 miles and a full trip takes approximately 60 minutes to complete. Each ride is $1.25 and an all-day pass is $2.50.

Tech blogger Brian Shaler is excited about the light rail opening.  He notes, "While it won’t cure the problem, the Phoenix Light Rail will help scratch some itches and help feed the nightlife in downtown Phoenix, Tempe, and other cities struck by the route."

As Brian notes, light rail projects are very expensive but they can help to move transit forward for cities where a full subway (i.e. NYC, Chicago, etc.) isn’t possible or financially warranted. I think we will see more light rail over the next decade and hope that the light rail serves more locations so more people will consider using it over a car. More public transit options are always a good thing.