Arizona Rail Passenger Association

Arizona Republic, 11 February 2007, Editorial

The possibilities of a passenger train cruising between Phoenix and Tucson, or commuter rail systems linking the Valley, have long intrigued rail buffs and others, especially as our roads grow more congested.

Over the years, various governors have mused about establishing passenger or commuter rail lines, but the ideas invariably have been set aside as costly or impractical.

Now, Gov. Janet Napolitano is intent on exploring the potential of rail and putting some projects on track. It’s a bold move, fraught with considerable challenges – from obtaining the right-of-way for passenger trains to operate to convincing a highly skeptical Legislature to back rail travel.

Napolitano has asked the Arizona Department of Transportation to lay out several options, including a passenger rail line to connect Phoenix and Tucson by Feb. 14, 2012, the state’s 100th birthday.

Rest of the story in the Republic

ARPA Board and Membership Meeting in Southern Arizona. Open to all ARPA members and guests.

We will meet at 10:00am at the Central Bistro, located at the historic Southern Pacific Depot, 400 N. Toole Avenue, in Tucson. Coffee and other snacks will be available in the morning. We will have lunch at Noon.

We will hear updates on:

• The newly approved Modern Streetcar for Tucson;
• Governor’s Executive Order directing ADOT to investigate commuter rail and light rail

We have confirmed space at the Station Cafe at the Tucson Depot. Attendance is free, but we ask you RSVP to 480.947.5710 if you plan to attend so we know how many will be there.

Recent articles on downtown Phoenix growth and redevelopment, with an emphasis on how light rail and potential commuter rail will be a part, are at
http://www.azcentral.com/specials/downtownphx/

Of special note — the commuter rail map at http://www.azcentral.com/pdfs/transit.pdf

News from Friends of Transit http://www.friendsoftransit.org/

PHOENIX (February 7, 2007) – City of Phoenix Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten and Town of Gilbert Councilman Les Presmyk will serve as Co-Chairs of the Valley Metro Board of Directors in 2007. A first for the agency, the Board approved the Co-Chair leadership as a way to maintain consistency in all that had been accomplished in 2006.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization recently met with farm interests, government agencies, and the Union Pacific Railroad to discuss laying a new rail line from Arizona to Punta Colonet in Baja California. Read the rest of this entry »