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Light Rail Celebrates 10th Birthday

Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith
Mark Brodie/KJZZ
Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith in 2018.

Valley Metro light rail is celebrating its 10th birthday today.

The system started as a 20-mile line through Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix. Ten years later, there are extensions built and more planned. Valley Metro touts numbers showing 16.5 million riders last year, as well as shorter commutes and increased investment along the rail line.

But, Phoenix voters may be asked again whether they support an extension into South Phoenix. And, amid some concerns about safety, Valley Metro last year started a new program called Respect the Ride. It includes a code of conduct, new fare enforcement and an app that allows riders to report disruptive behavior, maintenance issues, vandalism and suspicious activity.

The Show recently caught a ride on the light rail with Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith, to talk about the good and the not-so-good over the past decade.

Light Rail Quality Of Life ...

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    Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.