In N.M., long haul is easy ride September 30th, 2007
New Mexico’s year-old Rail Runner Express [nmrailrunner.com] commuter-train system carries about 3,000 people a day into and out of downtown Albuquerque, removing cars from busy freeways and a lot of stress…Light rail debuts next year between Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa. Commuter rail would connect outlying cities such as Buckeye and Queen Creek to metropolitan Phoenix and run on the same tracks freight railroads use…
Commuter rail is gaining momentum in the Valley. City, state and county officials are meeting, and a study for creating a system in Maricopa and Pinal counties is under way. The Maricopa Association of Governments is overseeing that study, which is expected to be completed by year’s end…
Ridership [on the Rail Runner] has been increasing since the train began operating, and officials say it has exceeded expectations…
Rest of the story in the Arizona Republic, September 30, 2007
