Arizona Rail Passenger Association

Enough people would board a train in the Valley’s suburbs that a future commuter-rail system would be as popular as some of the busiest lines in the West, new studies have found.

A trio of yearlong rail studies, in nearly final form, indicates commuter rail could carry almost 18,000 passengers a day by 2030. Planners at the Maricopa Association of Governments say, based on the findings, they favor a 105-mile, X-shaped system that could feature 33 stations and cost roughly $1.5 billion. That’s a little more than the Valley’s 20-mile, light-rail starter line.

The commuter-rail network would use existing freight track through downtown Phoenix
, with lines from Queen Creek to Buckeye and from Chandler to Wittmann…

Rest of the story in the Arizona Republic

(Sent November 2009)

The Honorable Thomas C. Carper
Chairman, Board of Directors
National Railroad Passenger Corporation
60 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002

Re: Restructuring of Sunset Limited service

Dear Sir:

Since our inception in 1984, the Arizona Rail Passenger Association has recognized the need for daily Sunset Limited operation and has worked to educate Arizona government and business leaders and other regional stakeholders on the importance of improved intercity passenger rail service. We understand that the restructuring of the Sunset may be on the agenda for this month’s Amtrak Board meeting and we urge the implementation of daily operation as soon as is practicable.

This past year, there has been some discussion—both within Amtrak and among passenger rail advocates—of restructuring the Sunset Limited by combining it with the Texas Eagle and operating a through Chicago-Los Angeles train via Texas and Southern Arizona. We support this concept. Historically, leisure travel between Arizona and the Midwest has far out-paced that between Arizona and the Southeast, and current highway and airline data suggest that this trend continues.

Of course, we would also like to see the train re-routed back through Phoenix. Phoenix-Los Angeles is the 15^th most heavily traveled airline corridor in North America. Moreover, returning the Sunset to Phoenix would set the stage for future Phoenix-Tucson regional rail service—fulfilling another vital unmet need.

We are eager to provide you with any additional input you may need as you plan the restructuring of the Sunset Limited and appreciate your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

/s/
Robert H. Bohannan, AICP, President

Now available 2009-10 Newsletter (PDF)

NOTE: There will be a moderate charge for lunch, but the meeting itself is free.

We invite you to attend the annual southern Arizona ARPA mem­bership meeting in the upstairs meeting room of Maynards Market & Kitchen in the historic Tucson train depot, 400 North Toole Avenue in Tucson on Saturday, October 31, 2009.

The ARPA Board of Directors will meet at 10 AM, which you are welcome to attend. The program will start at 12:30. Gene Caywood will give Old Pueblo Trolley’s outlook on the future now that streetcars are running into downtown Tucson for the first time since 1930. ARPA President Rob Bohannan will tell us of the opening of the highly successful Phoenix light rail transit line. Jay Smyth, Chair of the Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition, will fill us in on current prospects for high speed trains in Arizona.

There will be a moderate charge for lunch, which will be served at 12 noon. After the meeting, you may visit the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum and enjoy a free ride on Old Pueblo Trolley’s streetcar through the new 4^th Avenue underpass.

RSVP to azrail@azrail.org or the ARPA line at 480.947.5710 …

9am — 5 December 2009 — Athenian Express

* * *

Join fellow ARPA members and friends for informal train talk and fun.

Cooked-to-order American breakfasts available at great prices.

At the Athenian Express – http://www.athenianexpressaz.com

814 N Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004-2003

One block south of the Roosevelt METRO station.