City asks residents “What is your favorite place in Downtown Phoenix?”

The Phoenix Public Transit Department is celebrating the upcoming July 28 launch of its new DASH routes and the bold, newly painted DASH buses by holding a contest that asks people to tell them their favorite places in Downtown Phoenix. The contest begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 21 and ends at 11 a.m. Monday, July 28. The department will post illustrations of the new bus paint schemes along with a contest ballot box at the courtyard kiosk at Central Station (Central Avenue and Van Buren Street).

People are encouraged to stop by the kiosk to check out the new bus paint schemes, which include bold new colors and decals of various activities available in Downtown Phoenix. The decals portray all facets of downtown ranging from work and play to education and dining. Some unique decals include a cupcake icon to represent the fabulous bakeries, a bistro icon to represent the many award-winning restaurants and music notes to represent downtown’s musical attractions.

While checking out the new bus paint schemes, people can enter to win several Downtown Phoenix-themed prizes by simply submitting a favorite downtown restaurant, school, sports complex, cultural attraction or retailer. The contest is open to all ages, and participants need not be present to win but must include contact information on their entries to be eligible. Submissions are limited to one per person, must be completed and submitted during regular business hours of operation (7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday) and must be turned in no later than 11 a.m. on July 28.

A public celebration will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 28, with Mayor Phil Gordon visiting Central Station at noon to choose the winners in a random drawing. To remind people to take care of themselves at bus stops and anytime they are outside, Mayor Gordon and members of the Public Transit Department will also be handing out a limited amount of sunscreen packets, sun/heat brochures and umbrellas, which are provided courtesy of Traveler’s Insurance. Traveler’s, whose logo is an umbrella, has partnered with the Public Transit Department to help promote that auto insurance savings are available for individuals who ride the bus several days a week through nearly all auto insurance providers, including themselves.

Contest prizes include gift certificates to several Downtown Phoenix restaurants, tickets to the AMC Arizona Center movie theatre and tickets to upcoming events at Dodge Theatre.

New DASH route maps and schedules also will be available at the event highlighting changes to the service, including a realignment of the existing DASH route:

For specific DASH route changes or to preview the new bus paint schemes, please visit phoenix.gov/publictransit/newdash.html.

For more information about route changes and other updates, visit ValleyMetro.org or call 602- 253-5000. Persons with text telephones may call TTY at 602-261-8208.