Arizona Rail Passenger Association

In 1996, Southern Pacific filed to abandon the “West Line” which connects Phoenix to Yuma. The line was embargoed but never abandoned. In 2006, Union Pacific (who merged with SP) has done some work which may indicate the line will reopen, at least to freight traffic.

Status of Intercity Rail to Metropolitan Phoenix

• As of early 2006: Amtrak serves the Maricopa depot, thirty miles south of downtown Phoenix, three times a week with the combined Sunset Limited / Texas Eagle. There is no Amtrak connecting bus service from metro Phoenix; there is no secured parking; Maricopa does not have scheduled bus service. White’s Shuttle 520/568-4404 provides a limousine service between metro Phoenix points and the Maricopa depot.
• Late 2001: Amtrak closes Phoenix Union Station, replace with Maricopa depot. There is no connecting bus from Phoenix, no city bus service, and no secure parking.
• April 2001: The Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition is formed by ARPA, RailPAC, and NARP.
• 1998: NARP Supports Return of Phoenix Service. In a “Readers Platform” article in the September 1998 TRAINS magazine, National Association of Railroad Passengers President Jack Martin calls for a restoration of direct rail service to Phoenix as one of the first steps Amtrak should take in vitalizing its network.
• 1997: “West Line safe, U.P. official says” (From the March 1997 ARPA UPDATE) “At a Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Transportation Task Force meeting on Tuesday, February 4, Larry Smith, Union Pacific’s Director of Passenger Services, acknowledged that Southern Pacific had discouraged passenger service and had, prior to the merger, discussed abandoning the West Line between Arlington and Roll, severing Phoenix’s direct link with Los Angeles. ‘Let me assure you,’ Smith stated, ‘we are not going to get rid of this track.’”
• 1996: Amtrak President Tom Downs addressed the Phoenix Line at 1996 NARP Spring Convention. He said there has been “An almost intentional comedy of errors,” starting with the SP / UP map error which showed the Phoenix line on the post-merger map. Mr. Downs said the process has been drawn out to minimize criticism during merger. At insistence of letter writers, to force the issue, Mr. Downs wrote letters to UP and SP heads. Responses were: UP – Can’t discuss, inappropriate with merger talks; SP – Have made decision to abandon.Downs “asked [Arizona Governor Fife] Symington personally” about a rail project but saw no enthusiasm; Downs “cannot believe a rail link from Los Angeles to Phoenix” is not in Arizona’s interest; and that Phoenix is “not an insignificant loss” to Amtrak, but without support from the state, city, or county, that Amtrak had no choice in the matter. Downs is “desperate not to leave Scottsdale and Phoenix,” which is a growth market. He said, “We haven’t done near enough to market to retirees.” And, while other cities are partnering with Amtrak, he was disappointed such was not happening here.Amtrak wishes to provide some connection from Phoenix and Scottsdale. The town of Maricopa said they are interested in helping build a station to tie into their casino market; the feeling was that a town of 2,500 cares more about rail service than Phoenix and Scottsdale combined.
• 1995: One of the arguments in the UP/SP merger papers filed with the STB was that there would be improved intermodal and automobile rack transportation between LA and Phoenix. With the West Line closed, however, all trains from L.A. go nearly to Tucson before backtracking north toward Phoenix.