TRANSPO 2000

May 6^th 2000, 9am - 3pm

Over 2,500 persons came to Phoenix Union Station to see the lightweight TALGO train, brand new buses, excursion trains, and a variety of exhibits about Arizona's multi-modal future.

Read the Souvenir Program

The train demonstrated passenger travel between Wickenburg and Glendale on May 4, and between Phoenix and Tucson on May 5th. With the Phoenix metro area ready to build light rail within its cities, there is no better time to consider

• Regional and commuter passenger train service to bring people to the central cities from outlying areas;
• Amtrak transcontinental service directly through Tucson and Phoenix, and daily trains to southern California;
• City and intercity buses and other public and private transit... all working together.

• ADOT Press Release, 11 May 2000
• Phoenix Union Station information from the Arizona's Rail Stations page
• The TALGO trainset
• Other Special Events and Trains
• News stories
  • "Sleek Talgo train needs rail improvements" Bob Petrie, The Arizona Republic 9 May 2000, page B2. QUOTE: Phoenix-Tucson "is a natural travel corridor. It's cheaper to build rails than freeways... As traffic congestion builds on the roads, trains can zip right on through. The Talgo can be a wonderful ride. It just needs to be put on the right track."
  • Train shows its stuff: Advocates dreaming of rail service By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic 6 May 2000, page B1. QUOTE: "Passenger rail service briefly returned to Phoenix on Friday, powered by the hopes of rail advocates who want to restore intercity service to Tucson. Amtrak officials say regular rail service between Arizona's two largest cities will return, although no one should pack his bags yet. Increased traffic on Interstate 10 propels rail prospects, but the lack of money holds it back. Still, said Gil Mallery, president of Amtrak West, the resumption of intercity rail is a question of 'when, not if.'"
  • "The engine of change: Phoenix-Tucson run shows what could be if money can be found for high-speed train" Arizona Daily Star, 6 May 2000, page A1.
  • Tucson-Phoenix train not exactly on the fast track by Michael R. Graham, Tucson Citizen, 6 May 2000. QUOTE: "A pair of parallel steel rails is the path to relieving congestion along the Interstate 10 corridor between Tucson and Phoenix, transportation and state officials believe. But there's a catch. Money and the lack of it. Amtrak, the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Arizona Rail Passenger Association yesterday unveiled the future of travel between the state's two largest cities."
  • "Rail enthusiasts push high-speed link to Tucson: Slick Amtrak Talgo train will cruise into Phoenix for transportation fair." East Valley Tribune 3 May 2000, page A1.

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