Rail champions celebrate kick-off of 10-year Valley Metro Rail celebration and Quality of Life report. From left, Skip Rimsza, Former Phoenix Mayor; Nate Stum, Vice President of Development for LMC; Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell; Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams, Phil Gordon, Former Phoenix Mayor; Keno Hawker, Former Mesa Mayor; Mesa Mayor John Giles; Scott Smith, Valley Metro CEO and Former Mesa Mayor.
Valley Metro
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Rail champions celebrate kick-off of 10-year Valley Metro Rail celebration and Quality of Life report. From left, Skip Rimsza, Former Phoenix Mayor; Nate Stum, Vice President of Development for LMC; Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell; Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams, Phil Gordon, Former Phoenix Mayor; Keno Hawker, Former Mesa Mayor; Mesa Mayor John Giles; Scott Smith, Valley Metro CEO and Former Mesa Mayor.
Valley Metro
Leaders past, present, and future gathered to kickoff Valley Metro Rail’s 10-year anniversary, also known as the “Railversary.” Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith welcomed a prestigious slate of speakers, including rail city mayors, who shared the transformation that has occurred in their cities over the past 10 years.
“Since light rail opened, we’ve transformed from a quiet downtown into a bustling hot spot for innovation, education, and business,” said Phoenix Mayor and Valley Metro Rail Board Chair Thelda Williams.
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Former Phoenix mayor and early light rail champion, Skip Rimsza, gave credit to city and business partners for making the original 20-mile system a reality.
Along with public sector support, investment from developers helped boost the transformation of communities near light rail. According to the Quality of Life impact report, there has been $11 billion of investment and 35,000 jobs created within one-half mile of the 26-mile corridor. The report also focuses on how light rail contributes to fostering community health and connecting communities.
“Light rail gives families the freedom of transportation mobility without all the costs of owning one or even two cars,” said Diana Yazzie Devine, president and CEO of Native American Connections. “That means families have greater housing stability with more disposable income for taking care of their family’s basic needs and enjoying a better quality of life.”
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
Under Secretary Duffy, the grant program’s revamped criteria will prioritize safety; the American family; and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation, according to a press release.
The agencies, San Diego MTS and NCTD - San Diego Railroad, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.
The ATP board’s approval of the KAP team enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities, including advancing design, initiating permitting, and preparing the site for future construction.
The railroad has issued a formal request for proposals to manufacturers for more than 800 new passenger railcars that will serve 14 long-distance routes nationwide.
The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.
BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).
The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.
