Arizona Rail Passenger Association

Download the 200807 Newsletter (PDF).  Highlights:

• ARPA on the TIME Initiative
• Rediscover the Coast Starlight: Amtrak re-launches service
• METRO Rail runs first train through downtown Phoenix
• What about the Sunset Limited between New Orleans and Jacksonville? (Bruce Richardson, URPA)
• New Charlotte, North Carolina light rail line doubles ridership projections
• An analysis of the Phoenix Light Rail System (John Gale)
• Valley Metro donates “mock-up” to Williams, Arizona museum
• ARPA’s 1983 metro Phoenix light rail proposal compares to today’s METRO line (below)
• Valley Metro bus ridership up; service expanding
• West Valley commuter rail moves forward
• Anschutz buys Xanterra, Grand Canyon Railway

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ARPA’s 1983 light rail proposal (March 15, 1983) compares to today’s METRO light rail system:

August 6, 2008
9:45 am	to	11:00 am

There have been celebrations and photo ops for Phoenix and for Tempe light rail parties. On Wednesday, August 6th, you can check out a Mesa Light Rail Party along with Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, City Council members and other notables representing the city and local community who will take a commemorative ride to welcome light rail into Mesa. Mayor Scott Smith and METRO CEO Rick Simonetta will be there to speak about light rail. We hope to see you there!

Wednesday, August 6. 9:45am.  Train to arrive at 10am.  At the Sycamore station on Main Street. Attending:

• Mesa Mayor Scott Smith
• Mesa City Council members
• METRO CEO Rick Simonetta
• Community organization leadership
• Local business community

The Association’s Board, after reading this November’s ballot initiative, believes that its provisions for transportation improvements are consistent with the goal of improved rail passenger service and public transit in Arizona. We suggest that our members carefully consider the costs and benefits of the entire initiative.

The measure would create a fund, estimated at about $42 billion, of which over $7 billion would be channeled through ADOT and related agencies. Funds would be available for regional rail between Phoenix and Tucson, commuter rail service within the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas, expanded light rail and bus service, a statewide rural bus route system, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements.

We await full details on the rail component of the plan, and on the phasing of monies to be spent.

A proposal for commuter rail service that would carry passengers between downtown Phoenix and Wickenburg is picking up steam.

The Maricopa Association of Governments Executive Committee this week hired URS to come up with detailed options to implement commuter service along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway line on the Grand Avenue corridor. The firm, which is based in San Francisco and has an office in Phoenix, also will look at such components as cost and potential ridership…

Rest of the story in the Arizona Republic

Rest of the photos on ARPA member John Gale’s photo album, “Phoenix Light Rail – First train through downtown Phoenix”.