Comments on: Where’s the METRO light rail gift shop?

By: Khamis

Khamis — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:59:37 +0000

David has a point. Maybe a limited selection of items on sale through the internet and transit stores could work to bring in a tiny bit of revenue, which would make staffing of the transit stores a little more sustainable financially…

Amyann, the light rail is brilliant, and it is not ridden just by a niche group, tons of regular transit users ride it, as well as first time transit riders. I just argue that it’s inappropriate to invest in a gift shop when tourism is down and transit and city funds are extremely drained. The central Phoenix East Valley Light Rail system was one of the best investments this metro region has made during my life time. It might viewed as an initial step towards moving in the right direction, and just since we’re behind should we attack our timing? No, it needs to be applauded for what it is.

By: David SB

David SB — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:10:00 +0000

I think a gift shop of some type would be a great idea. As I commented in response to your recent post on Facebook, I recently saw a model of a METRO light rail train on display at the Tempe Town Center and asked the staff if I could buy one for my daughter. I was told that none were for sale. That was not only disappointing news for me, but a lost revenue opportunity for the transit agency. Maybe a full-time dedicated gift shop is not financially feasible, but a limited array of merchandise could be sold both online and at staffed transit centers like the TTC and Central Station.

By: Amyann Freberg

Amyann Freberg — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:01:25 +0000

I agree with the first commenter. Who would want to buy that stuff? Just because you do not use other modes of transportation really does not mean that the light-rail is brilliant eddie. There are many other modes of transportation, such as the bus system, biking, walking, carpooling, that you never talk about. Also many cities exceed our humble beginnings at trying to be earth friendly. Overall, the light-rail will probably be an expensive, tax payer charged debt increasing project that only a localized group of Phoenicians can appreciate.

By: Khamis

Khamis — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:28:18 +0000

Does Portland’s TriMet MAX light rail system offer key chains? No. Phoenix isn’t NYC and if we want our transit system to be viable we wouldn’t use precious city or agency funds to start focusing on such a thing… because people would likely not buy that kinda stuff, tourism is really down here and it likely wouldn’t succeed at making any sort of profit… when the city is seriously considering cutting back hours or headway for METRO the last thing we need is some gimmick like this.

However, plenty of private businesses (think the t-shirt design shops in Tempe) have come up with little memorabilia for METRO opening, and if there’s interest maybe they’d do more… also how about getting creative, or local artists who maybe worked on the art installations of the stations to do some one-of-a-kind or limited run of trinkets, sculptures or other art..

Or trying to make something yourself!

I’m sorry – I’m just not buying the idea of a Central Phoenix gift shop, and I worry that it would further justify those detractors who say the whole system is in fact one big novelty/amusement park attraction. But I understand your yearning for LTR memorabilia, such a desire is a valid U.S. / consumer reality. The lapel pins that the board of directors for METRO have are awesome…