PHOENIX — The city is gearing up for a bizarre spectacle on its light rail trains this Sunday: Hundreds of commuters, purposefully ditching their trousers to participate in the Phoenix No Pants Light Rail Ride. This peculiar event is thrusting its way back into the public's schedule after a hiatus brought on by the pandemic and waning interest in recent years, according to Phoenix New Times.
It's a tradition that has witnessed the city's transit system turn into a roving party sans pants, with participants ranging from babies in diapers to senior citizens in boxers. Many onlookers will find, with hundreds of pantless people involved, the event has grown significantly since its inception in 2009, just a year after Valley Metro light rail's debut. The Phoenix version draws inspiration from a similar prank concocted in 2002 by Improv Everywhere in New York City, AZ Central reports.
In trouser-dropping fashion, the return of Phoenix's No Pants Light Rail Ride was influenced by Michael Maurer, a previous participant, who wished to bring back the body-positive event and managed to reignite interest by planning a similar jaunt last fall. Jeff Moriarty of Improv Arizona who was reached out by Maurer told the Phoenix New Times, "It started as a way to show that Phoenix could have a little fun and it wouldn't break anyone. That Phoenix could laugh at itself."
The free event, which charges only the standard fare for the Valley Metro light rail, encourages people of all ages to take part. Passengers in colorful underwear will board at various stations throughout the city at 1 p.m. and converge downtown for a mid-ride meetup. And riding the light rail while half-dressed isn't just about dropping jaws; there's an uplifting twist involving clothing donations to St. Vincent de Paul. In statements to the Phoenix New Times, Maurer notes, "We encourage (everyone) to donate pants you remove and any other items you'd like to bring as well."
Angie Rivera, a Phoenix resident who has previously participated, recounts her experience to the Phoenix New Times, saying, "I've always liked flash mobs and wanted to do something different and meet other people who liked having fun," recalling the event as a moment that made her "feel less self-conscious." Organizers request that participants strive for modesty and shun overly revealing attire like thongs and G-strings to ensure the day's escapades don't run afoul of law enforcement.
Embracing the spontaneity of the moment, riders are instructed to feign surprise upon realizing they are sans pants. Moriarty summed up the sentiment in an interview with AZ Central, saying, "It's an amazingly accepting crowd and really almost a pop-up community. There are few things that connect a group of people like taking your pants off in the sunshine."
