The pantsless light rail ride is this weekend in Phoenix. How to join in (or miss it)

Meredith G. White, Arizona Republic
Updated ·3 min read
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The unusual tradition of packing the Valley Metro light rail with pantsless people is returning to metro Phoenix in early 2024.

The Arizona Pantless Light Rail Ride is a spinoff of the No Pants Light Rail Ride that was canceled in 2021 due to the pandemic after a 10-year run. The wacky gathering was inspired by a similar event that an improv group staged on the New York City subway in 2002.

The Phoenix no-pants light rail ride is open to anyone. All you have to do is show up to one of the meetup spots. Oh, and ditch your britches.

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Where is the Arizona Pantless Light Rail Ride?

If you want to participate, meet up with the group at noon Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at either the Westside (19th and Dunlap avenues in Phoenix) or Eastside (Country Club Drive and Main Street in Mesa) light rail station.

A man in Simpsons boxers waits for the light rail during the No Pants Light Rail Ride put on by Improv AZ Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 ending at The Churchill in downtown Phoenix.
A man in Simpsons boxers waits for the light rail during the No Pants Light Rail Ride put on by Improv AZ Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 ending at The Churchill in downtown Phoenix.

How does the no-pants light rail ride work?

At 12:10 p.m. everyone will remove their pants before boarding the light rail and riding to Roosevelt Street and Central Avenue in Phoenix.

According to the event's Facebook page, "it's imperative to act like nothing is different. That it's a regular day and going pantless is the norm. Convince others to go pantless."

At around 1 p.m., the group will walk from the Roosevelt Street light rail station to Walter Studios at Seventh Avenue and Roosevelt for pictures, drinks and food. Admission is free; food and drinks will be for sale.

People walk to The Churchill in their underwear during the No Pants Light Rail Ride put on by Improv AZ Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 ending at The Churchill in downtown Phoenix.
People walk to The Churchill in their underwear during the No Pants Light Rail Ride put on by Improv AZ Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 ending at The Churchill in downtown Phoenix.

Is the Phoenix light rail free?

No. It costs $2 per ride or $4 per day to ride Valley Metro light rail. Fares can be purchased online in advance or at kiosks at each station.

What are the rules on going pantsless in public?

Going sans trousers sounds straightforward but you don't want to end up with a public indecency charge. Get creative with funky fishnets, stockings, boxers and similar garments so you don't run afoul of any laws.

According to azleg.gov, indecent exposure is defined when a person exposes his or her genitals, anus, breasts and another person is present and alarmed by the act. It does not apply to breast feeding.

The event's Facebook page suggests having a pants-containing vehicle waiting at Walter Studios or packing pants with you and putting them on to ride the rail back to your car.

Additionally, Improv AZ has partnered with St. Vincent De Paul and those participating will be able to donate their pants (or other clothing items brought along) to be redistributed to those in need.

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Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at meredith.white@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Revealed: Pantsless light-rail ride is this weekend in Phoenix