June 1997
Released: 24 May 1997
The Phoenix City Council has approved the introduction of a ½ cent sales tax for transit on the September 9th ballot. ARPA committees have researched the measure, and we have determined the following:
Citizens would decide whether rail components should be built and where they should run.
At the May 19th Electronic Town Hall sponsored by KTAR radio, Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza expressed his views on the measure, that Phoenix can either move forward or stand still. In his estimation, passing the measure will give us the ability to decide what the future of transit in the Valley will be. If the measure is defeated, Phoenix is destined to stand still for many years even as its population continues to expand.
The Town Hall was broadcast live on KTAR radio and retransmitted on Phoenix Public Access Cable TV. KTAR has indicated that additional Town Halls will be held before the election. ARPA urges its members to watch for notices of these events and to participate.
This article may be found here.
In January, Valley Connections held six open houses throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Among topics discussed were region-wide transit corridors. The purpose of the open houses was to solicit citizen input and identify transportation technologies to be used in these corridors. The Phoenix-Tempe connection was the heart of the options studied.
Light rail and commuter rail were the top two options endorsed by the citizens in attendance.
For more information, or to receive mailings, call Valley Connections at 602/966-9098.
ARPA issued a letter (sent to Arizona newspapers) reflecting ARPA's endorsement of the conclusions of this forum.
On April 11 ARPA released the following press release in response to the National Park Service's request for comment about possible transit improvements at the Grand Canyon. [The "light rail" proposed would be some sort of self-contained, diesel or electrically powered rail vehicle.]
"It is a great pleasure for the Arizona Rail Passenger Association to add its endorsement for light rail at the Grand Canyon National Park. This Association has been a longtime supporter of the Grand Canyon Railway in its efforts to bring visitors to the Canyon in an ecologically sound fashion. We believe a light rail system would be an excellent supplement to the type of service the Grand Canyon Railway provides.
"You well know the traffic congestion problem up there and how debilitating it is. The proposed buses make pollution even more prevalent than now. With rail, the tracks are designed to follow existing corridors and no more parking lots would have to be built…"
Amtrak has announced that the Texas Eagle service will continue, at least through September 30, as the result of a $5.6 million bridge loan provided by the State of Texas.
The train operated with a reduced consist for one week, pending the completion of statutory requirements related to the Texas bridge loan legislation. Limited service, in the form of a train with a single 60-seat coach/snack car, has been operating on a day to day basis since the originally scheduled end of regular service on May 10th.
Sleeping car service is to be resumed on May 18th, with through coach and sleeping car service from Chicago to Los Angeles via San Antonio and the Sunset Limited expected to begin on June 5th
In order to overcome the past negative publicity resulting from discontinuance efforts, a special Texas Eagle fare promotion is now in effect. This promotion, essentially a "buy one-get one free" special offer, will be offered for sale through May 29 and will be good for travel aboard the Texas Eagle (only) through June 30th.
Although no mention was made in Amtrak's press release, Amtrak Intercity has previously promised to place a high priority on securing mail and express revenues needed to keep the Eagle running permanently after September 30, without additional state support.
Many elected officials and others along this route have spent countless hours since last August, working towards the preservation of the Eagle route. These people will now redirect their efforts to see that Amtrak Intercity does indeed follow through with commitments to help the Eagle achieve its true potential and continue operation as a permanent part of the national passenger train system.
As of ARPA UPDATE press time, however, the Eagle had not been entered into Amtrak's reservations computer after September 30th.
The days of operation for the Sunset Limited, train #1, will change effective June 1, and it is anticipated that Texas Eagle #21's days of operation will change to a Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday departure from Chicago in order to maintain a connection with the Sunset Limited at San Antonio. [Info: Arkansas Rail and NARP]
A report, number T-RCED-97-147, entitled "Intercity Passenger Rail: Amtrak's Financial Crisis" is available from the General Accounting Office. The first copy of each GAO report and testimony is free; additional copies are $2 each.
Orders should be sent to the following address:
U.S. General Accounting Office
P.O. Box 6015
Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015
Reports are also available on-line.
Pioneer and Desert Wind: Denver lost two of its three Amtrak routes; and Boise, Las Vegas, and the entire state of Wyoming saw their final passenger trains depart on May 10, with the discontinuance of these two trains. With the termination of the Pioneer and Desert Wind, Amtrak will restore daily service to the California Zephyr from Chicago to Oakland and the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle/Portland. The Washington ARP called the Pioneer "an important link in an already skeletal system" and calls upon for the re-establishment of the train as soon as possible.
Related articles: "Last train for Cheyenne" [Denver Post]; "Amtrak's Desert Wind makes its last Vegas run"
Lake Shore Limited: Amtrak issued a release April 28 saying Massachusetts has agreed to provide a new, larger mail and express facility in Springfield. Therefore, Amtrak says it will continue operation of trains 448 and 449 (Boston Lake Shore) beyond May 10, in anticipation of increased mail and express revenues resulting from the new facility. For some time now, Amtrak has had an Albany-Springfield-Boston Thruway bus in the Arrow computer reservations system for the post-May 10 period. Those bus reservations will be transferred to the preserved train. [Source: NARP]
Other Northeast News: Amtrak Northeast President George Warrington has revealed that by Midsummer 1997, the Night Owl will be extended to Richmond and Newport News, VA with Viewliner sleeping cars on it.
The Verde Canyon Railroad invites you to view the nocturnal wildlife and scenery of the Verde River Canyon under a moonlit sky. Special opportunities to see the Canyon, only accessible by rail, will be offered on June 21, July 19, August 16, September 13, and October 18. "This is a real favorite… people cannot believe how beautiful the Canyon is at night and how it differs from the daylight ride." For more information, contact the Verde Canyon Railroad at 1-800-293-7245.