四 川 铁 FourRiverIron

I am very angry when our government masters don't obey their own laws!!!!!

Phoenix selling 1930s public-transit tokens

Phoenix selling 1930s public-transit tokens

by Lynh Bui - Dec. 23, 2011 05:38 AM

The Arizona Republic

To celebrate the 125th anniversary of public transit in Phoenix, the city will sell authentic transit tokens from the 1930s to the public. Riders used the tokens from the Phoenix Street Railway to get on buses and electric streetcars. The tokens sale also celebrates the 2012 Arizona centennial.

TOKEN DETAILS

The tokens are about the size of a dime with a cutout "P" in the center. In the 1930s, the fare for tokens ranged from 5 to 7 cents, according to the "Atwood-Coffee Catalogue of United States and Canadian Transportation Tokens."

PUBLIC TRANSIT HISTORY

Public transit in Phoenix started in 1887 when the City Council gave the Arizona Improvement Company the green light to start the city's first street railway franchise, according to a book by Jerry Abbitt called History of Transit in the Valley of the Sun. The first public transit was a horse-car line that ran along Washington Street. After several name and operational changes, the city now has a Public Transit Department that operates in partnership with Valley Metro and includes a regional bus system and light rail.

BUYING TOKENS

The city has 3,000 tokens available for sale for 50 cents each. Tokens are available for purchase at four of the city's transit centers:

Central Station at Van Buren Street and Central Avenue.

Ed Pastor Transit Center at Central Avenue and Broadway Road.

Metrocenter Transit Center at 9415 N. Metro Parkway West.

Sunnyslope Transit Center, 8927 N. Third Street.

Law limits light rail fares to $0.05 in Phoenix

Tucson Citizen Morgue, Part 1 (2006-2009)

Obscure law caps light rail fares at 5 cents

by The Associated Press on Dec. 20, 2008, under Local, Special

PHOENIX – An obscure state law dating to early in the last century caps fares for inter-city rail rides at a nickel each way, but Metro Light Rail officials say you’d better pay the buck and a quarter they charge.

The law dates to the time of the old Phoenix trolley system that operated from 1887 to 1948. At the time, the state Legislature set price caps for commuter railroads.

The law in question, Statute 40-372, says “A street or interurban railroad shall not charge or receive more than five cents for one continuous ride in the same general direction . . . except upon a showing before the (corporation) commission that a greater charge is justified.” The 5-cent rail fare law is still on the books.

“We have many antiquated statutes in law that we just haven’t cleaned up. That’s one of them,” said state Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix.

Some state leaders say federal transit laws in the 1980s eliminated rail price caps nationwide, making the Arizona law nonbinding. Legislators could end the confusion by repealing the statute when they return to session next month.

Light rail officials reviewed the law years ago and determined the price cap doesn’t apply to the modern system, a Metro spokeswoman said.

Those who think they can get away without a paid ticket risk a fine of up to $500 plus court fees.

The new $1.4 billion system has its grand opening on Dec. 27-28 and begins regular service on Dec. 29.

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 40 Section 372

5 ¢ Light Rail!!! - Arizona Revised Statutes 40 §372

40-372. Street railways; fares; transfers

A. A street or interurban railroad shall not charge or receive more than five cents for one continuous ride in the same general direction within the corporate limits of any city or town, except upon a showing before the commission that a greater charge is justified.

B. Every street or interurban railroad shall upon such terms the commission finds just and reasonable furnish to its passengers transfers entitling them to one continuous trip in the same general direction over and upon the portions of its lines not reached by the originating car.