Arizona Rail Passenger Association

Beginning the train's journey, the two FP7 locomotives appear at the crossing east of the Clarkdale depot.

The Verde Canyon Railroad, billed as Arizona’s Longest Running Nature Show, will celebrate its twentieth year of operation in 2010.

Of Arizona’s two excursion railroads, the VCR has by far the more stunning ride, taking you right along the top and through the heart of the Verde Canyon, with its flowing water and profuse plant and animal life. Every season is different, from fledgling eagles and spring flowers to cottonwood trees in bright autumn hues.

A variety of accommodations and numerous special theme trips will delight you; you will want your trip here to the first of many. En route to Clarkdale or on the way home, experience the history and variety of small town Arizona in nearby Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and Jerome.

Telephone 800-582-7245 for information or reservations.

METRO and the cities of Tempe and Chandler have been working together to analyze transit options to better connect the southeast Valley. The Tempe South High-Capacity Transit Study, funded by the Year 2000 Proposition 400, has evaluated a range of transit technologies and potential north-south alignments from the light rail starter line in Tempe since the study’s inception in 2007. The transit option selected will improve mobility in this city and region, support future growth and work in complement with the existing transit network.

Modern streetcar in the Mill Avenue corridor — generally south from downtown Tempe to Route 60 — has been analyzed and is becoming a reasonable option for this extension and community.  Modern streetcars have the ability to increase transit ridership in this corridor, support the growing demand of this area and its special events as well as stimulate development and revitalization of downtown Tempe and its neighborhoods.

The study is moving toward a final Locally Preferred Alternative.  Please share your input on this project.  METRO and the partnering cities will conduct a public input process sharing the study findings this fall.  The process will include a public meeting, group presentations and online comments.  Visit www.metrolightrail.org/tempesouth or contact Carla Kahn at 602-744-5552 or ckahn@metrolightrail.org to learn more about the findings and ways to provide your input.

Friends,

Please visit our new forum, http://forum.azrail.org/ where you can participate in discussions of passenger rail, news and events. You do not have to be an ARPA member to read and join the general discussion.  We do ask that you join as a member of the Association to participate in the committee forums.

A year after bus use followed gasoline prices to record highs, ridership has fallen by the millions on the Valley’s most extensive mode of public transit…

While bus ridership was down, more and more commuters climbed aboard light-rail trains in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, sending ridership numbers above 12 million for fiscal year 2010. The system had 5.6 million riders for the first six months of its operation, which began in January 2009…

Rest of the story in the Arizona Republic

The ARPA Board will again meet at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club for breakfast. ARPA members and guests are invited to attend. RSVP 480.947.5710.