Arizona Rail Passenger Association

A Resolution of the Arizona Rail Passenger Association supporting the expansion of current Amtrak Sunset Limited service to daily service, and improving the Sunset Limited route as part of the intercity rail network.

WHEREAS, the economic, environmental and recreational benefits of rail travel have been well established; and

WHEREAS, passenger rail provides a fuel-efficient transportation alternative thereby establishing cleaner transportation options and helping to reduce our nation’s, as well as Arizona’s dependence on foreign oil; and

WHEREAS, Amtrak passenger service provides a mobility choice as part of a seamless state and regional transportation system that includes airports, highways, transit, passenger and freight rail; and

WHEREAS, Amtrak passenger service brings tourists to our state thereby boosting one of Arizona’s core economic engines and expanding Arizona’s accessibility to the rest of the nation; and

WHEREAS, connecting Pima, Pinal, Yuma, Cochise and Maricopa Counties through Amtrak service creates economic opportunities for multiple Arizona regions, and enhancing this service takes these economic opportunities to another level; and

WHEREAS, improving and expanding Amtrak passenger service in Arizona builds the foundation for a future intercity passenger rail network throughout the state that connects the major metropolitan regions and supports the development and expansion of interconnected livable communities; and

WHEREAS, the development and expansion of alternative forms of transportation are critical to the future economic vitality of our cities and towns and essential if Arizona’s communities and state intend to compete in the national and global marketplace; and

WHEREAS, the ARIZONA RAIL PASSENGER ASSOCIATION recognizes that a national rail network is a key component of a statewide and regional multimodal transportation system and can serve to provide current and future capacity for increasingly overburdened roadways; and

WHEREAS, the ARIZONA RAIL PASSENGER ASSOCIATION and the State of Arizona values its connections with freight railroad partners and supports the expansion of passenger service that works together with freight rail expansions and improvements; and

WHEREAS, the improvements outlined below have been adopted goals of the ARIZONA RAIL PASSENGER ASSOCIATION since its inception in 1984;

THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, ORDERED AND DECLARED that the ARIZONA RAIL PASSENGER ASSOCIATION supports the proposed Sunset Limited improvements, which increase Amtrak service from three days a week to daily service and change Amtrak’s current arrival and departure schedule within Arizona to more convenient times of the day.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this ____ day of July, 2010, by the ARIZONA RAIL PASSENGER ASSOCIATION


According to a press release from Colorado Railcar, “an independent Transit Alliance Report praises [our] … Double Deck Railcars” –

Miami, FL – Colorado Railcar’s DMU continues to receive strong reviews from both commuters and media. In a recently published report on the Tri-Rail System, Kathleen Osher of Transit Alliance praised the Double Deck DMU and Coach for the quiet ride and high level of comfort. “The trains are very clean and there is much more head room on the upper deck of this vehicle with nearly [7] feet,” notes Osher, “I also notice that this train is MUCH quieter and rocks less from side to side.” Colorado Railcar’s low floor design also allows for easy access with baggage. These cars deliver the comfort and level of convenience that you would expect from Colorado Railcar. Osher praised the wide open design of the cars’ upper level windows, commenting that “the large domed glass windows are huge and give a great view of the surrounding areas.” The Double Deck DMU has made an impressive mark on the Tri-Rail System, consistently living up to its reputation as one of the most efficient, comfortable railcars in the industry.

The rest of the story is at: http://www.transitalliance.org/enews/feb2007/MiamiTour-TriRail012507.pdf