from the The Business Journal of Phoenix - March 16, 2007; by Mike Sunnucks.
Gov. Janet Napolitano’s pursuit of a possible commuter rail line between Phoenix and Tucson is facing skepticism about its financial and practical viability.
Napolitano ordered the Arizona Department of Transportation to study possible rail and transit lines throughout the state, including routes between Phoenix and Tucson as well as one between Phoenix and its West Valley suburbs…
The idea of a passenger rail line between Phoenix and Tucson has been proposed before, facing similar questions about viability and cost…
“If passenger rail was cost effective, private businesses already would have done it. If we look at the Amtrak boondoggle, this really gives us food for thought,” said state Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Ron Gould…
Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett said he is open to looking at rail links between Phoenix and the West Valley, as well as Phoenix and Tucson…
“What would you do when you get there?” said Barrett, pointing out that Phoenix and Tucson do not have large downtown areas or existing mass transit like older cities such as Boston, Washington, D.C., or San Francisco…
A rail link to Phoenix has some support from business and political leaders in Tucson… John Dougherty, vice president of the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, said a rail line could link to downtown Tucson and offer commuter service to Pinal and other suburbs south of Phoenix…
“We are very much in favor of rail, especially as an alternative to building ever more and ever wider freeways,” said Sandy Bahr, state director for the Sierra Club…
Rest of the story at the Business Journal
