To celebrate this milestone, the City of Phoenix is planning a community celebration on opening day with a theme of "Cruisin Central" Saturday, June 7, 2025. This event will honor the spirit of south Phoenix and invite everyone to experience the new extension with several celebrations across the 5.5-mile alignment. Details about the celebration will be announced soon!

Event timeline:

• 7:45 a.m. - Cruisin' on Central parade begins at Ed Pastor Transit Center (Broadway/Central Ave)

• 8:30 a.m. - Parade concludes at Central Ave/Baseline Park-and-Ride

• 8:30 a.m. - Speaking program and celebration begins at Baseline/Central Ave Park-and-Ride

• 9:15 a.m. - Ribbon cutting ceremony with daytime fireworks, followed by First Ride opportunity

• 9:30 a.m. - Light rail service begins along the entire SCE/DH corridor

• 10 a.m. - noon. - Celebrations continue at all three event locations

Join us for:

• Cruisin' on Central parade going south on Central Avenue from Broadway to Baseline Road

• Low rider car show (Ed Pastor Transit Center)

• Local business pop-ups (all event locations)

• Family fun activities (all event locations)

• Local food vendors (all event locations)

• Performances by local entertainers of all ages (all event locations)

• Remarks, ribbon cutting and first rides (Baseline/Central Ave Park-and-Ride)

• Commemorative Copper cards & other Cruisin' Central swag (all event locations)

Where:

Downtown Hub (CityScape)
1 E. Washington St.

Ed Pastor Transit Center
10 W. Broadway Rd.

• Low rider car show

Baseline/Central Ave Park-and-Ride
7436 S. Central Ave.

• Remarks at 8:30 a.m. followed by a colorful opening celebration moment and photo opportunity

Parking information

• Baseline/Central Ave Park-and-Ride | 7436 S. Central Ave. | Free

• Shopping Plaza | 26 E. Baseline Rd. | Free

• Southgate Center | 7227 S. Central Ave. | Free

• Roeser Plaza | 5225 S. Central Ave. | Free

• Parking Garage | 1 E. Washington Ave. | Paid Parking

• Parking Garage | 324 N. 1st Ave. | Paid Parking

• Parking Lot| 301 E. Jackson St. | Paid Parking

• Parking Lot | 1 W. Jackson St. | Paid Parking

🚇 Exciting times ahead! Valley Metro is thrilled to invite you to the Train Testing Milestone Community Celebration on March 8, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Central Ave. and Baseline Park-and-Ride in Phoenix. This event celebrates the first trains testing along the entire light rail alignment of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub project. Join us for a day of festivities and witness the progress we've made in enhancing our city's transit system. Learn more about the event here.

photos via Valley Metro