Transit Hosts Special Event on Jan. 6 to Celebrate Arizona Centennial

Contact:          Susan Tierney                                           Hillary Foose                                  
Public Information Officer                             Public Information Officer                  
                    602.523-6004 (o)                                        602.322.4468 (o)
                    602.292.4093 (c)                                        602.697.1705 (c)         
                    stierney@valleymetro.org                             hfoose@metrolightrail.org

Transit Hosts Special Event on Jan. 6 to Celebrate Arizona Centennial
Commemorative Arizona Centennial Transit Pass Giveaway & Facebook Contest at Central Station

What:            Past meets present when the Old West arrives at Central Station to distribute 500 Commemorative Centennial All-day transit passes. Meet cowboy Lee Anderson, his horse, Concho, and the rest of his cowboy posse.

When:            Friday, January 6, 2012
                    6 a.m. – 8 a.m.
                    *Media interviews available prior to 6 a.m. as requested.

Where:          Central Station, downtown Phoenix
                    Northeast corner Van Buren and 1st Avenue

Who:              Costumed actors arrive at Central Station at 6 a.m., then board METRO light rail at 7 a.m. to greet passengers and distribute passes on their way to Tempe Transportation Center and Montebello and 19th Avenue.

Why:              Keepsake passes are being offered for a limited time only and can be used for modern-day travel.

How:              Passes will be distributed while supplies last.

Post Script:      Passengers can take their photo with the actors and post it to Valley Metro’s and/or METRO light rail’s Facebook pages to have the opportunity to receive a prize including a gift certificate to the Stockyards Restaurant to enjoy the special Arizona Centennial menu, a family four-pack of Centennial transit passes and Centennial merchandise.

The Centennial transit pass can be purchased now at retail outlets, transit centers and fare vending machines at seven light rail stations listed at ValleyMetro.org. A complete list of retail outlets selling passes can also be found at ValleyMetro.org.

For more information, go to www.ValleyMetro.org or call 602.253.5000.

Valley Metro RPTA provides eco-friendly public transit options to residents of greater Phoenix and Maricopa County, including a clean-fuel bus fleet, low-emissions light rail, a bio-diesel Dial-a-Ride fleet, online carpool matching and bus trip mapping, bicycle safety and telework assistance. Funding is provided by local and federal revenues. A board of 16 governments sets the policy direction for the agency and works to improve and regionalize the public transit system.

All service and projects funded by the Proposition 400 Regional Transportation Plan funds approved by Maricopa County voters in November 2004.