Amtrak to Serve Phoenix from Maricopa May 23rd, 1996
SOURCE: Amtrak Press Release, 23 May 1996.
In an effort to maintain service to one of the nation’s largest cities, Amtrak will provide motor coach service between Phoenix and Tucson and establish a new stop in Maricopa, Ariz., after direct Amtrak service to Phoenix ends on June 2.
A pending abandonment by the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) of a key section of track west of Phoenix leads Amtrak to reroute the Sunset Limited, a tri-weekly train between Los Angeles and Miami. The current route is in need of $27.5 million in immediate capital improvements, with a recurring annual maintenance cost of $2.5 million.
“The last thing Amtrak wants is to withdraw direct service from Phoenix, one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing markets,” said Mark S. Cane, President, Amtrak Intercity. “However, since Amtrak does not have the funds to maintain this segment of track and an alternate funding source could not be found, we have no choice but to reroute from the line.”
Amtrak will operate motor coaches between the train stations in Phoenix
and Tucson. The motor coaches will provide guaranteed connections and will
honor Amtrak tickets to Phoenix, including promotional fares…
