As printed in the Sun Cities Independent, 18-24 June 1997.
I have found it refreshing, as a member of the Arizona Rail Passenger Association, to observe such widespread interest in creating a rail transportation program, beginning with light rail within the city of Phoenix.
Aside from easing traffic congestion, such rail transit service, supplemented by an interconnected bus service, could add to the vibrancy of downtown Phoenix and improve the quality of Valley life.
Granted, one has to start somewhere; but I continue to be concerned with the lack of a regional approach to solving the Valley's, and indeed the entire State's, transportation needs.
There have already been numerous studies and reports on our transportation needs: the Governor's Task Force on Transportation Alternatives; Phoenix Chamber of Commerce sponsored forums; RPTA public hearings; and the Valley Connections work. Additionally, the recent Town Hall in Prescott garnered input (not yet circulated) from citizen, legislative, and corporate leadership groups.
What is still sorely needed is collective action now through establishment of a new Rail Authority.
We must look ahead of the well intentioned, but fragmentary and somewhat parochial, efforts of the several Valley cities to the establishment of a state/city partnership through a State Rail Authority.
In this regard, we should be examining not only the Phoenix oriented electorate proposal, but possibilities of west and northwest commuter rail service, connecting workers and leisure travelers between the east and west Valleys. This should include consideration of using the BNSF trackage along Grand Avenue (with necessary improvements) to connect from Wickenburg to Phoenix and beyond.
A good example of commuter "pooling of interest" occurred in northwest Chicago. In 1994, METRA (the commuter operator there) worked with Wisconsin Central to use its existing freight line for a new 53 mile rail service from Antioch, IL to Chicago Union Station, with ten stops. Communities along the route, and local businesses, gave not only their enthusiastic supported but also agreed to foot part of the bill by building stations and parking lots. That kind of collaboration led to the region's first new commuter service since 1926.
Let's open our eyes and hearts now to the establishment of a regional multimodal transportation system, including both rail and expanded bus service elements.
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