[Source: Mike Branon, East Valley Tribune] — Metro light rail is falling into a financial hole nearly a half-billion dollars deep because of the slumping economy, so it’s no coincidence the agency is considering selling advertising space on trains and stations. The Rail Management Committee, which meets Wednesday, first will discuss amending Metro’s no-ads policy. That rule was established in 2003, long before Metro opened for business, but was broken earlier in February when the NBA’s All-Star Game was played in Phoenix…
At the moment, Metro does not have an estimate of money to be gained with ad sales. Prior to the economic downturn, a consultant had estimated gross revenues from train wraps and station posters at $1.6 million. But since then, Metro officials said, the ad industry is having its weakest year since 2001 and ad sales vendors in the Valley report sales declines of 25 percent to 45 percent compared to the previous year. Under a proposal put forth by Metro staffers, ad space would be sold in the forms of wrapped trains and stations, floor decals, and small televisions on trains and kiosks and posters at stations. If the committee supports amending Metro’s advertising policy, the issue would go before the agency’s board of directors for final approval. The board meets April 15. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
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