April 1998In this issue:
Editorials in this issue (separate files):
The Arizona Diamondbacks are ready to run what is effectively a demonstration of the regional rail concept in metro Phoenix. The train, whose tickets went on sale April 3d, sold out in just a few hours, proving the potential and popularity of rail passenger transportation. A letter to city officials and other VIPs reads, "By now, you probably have heard of the Diamondbacks Express, the Amtrak commuter train that will be taking passengers from Tempe to Bank One Ballpark for the April 18 & 19 Diamondbacks games against the World Champion Florida Marlins… [T]his is a unique promotion and the public interest has been strong…"
The train will travel from the Tempe Depot, departing on Saturday at 11:30am and on Sunday at 3:30pm. Parking will be provided in the lot to the southwest of the platform.
See: 
Diamondbacks Express Ball Game Train
See also: Diamondbacks Game Train coverage
The Governor's High Speed Rail Feasibility Study Task Force on March 16 recommended an incremental approach to building a Tucson-Phoenix rail link. An initial system, according to the task force, could be built using the existing railroad alignment with speeds to 79 mph. This could then be improved using diesel locomotives to 100mph, and eventually using electric locomotives up to 125mph.
The Arizona Republic quoted chair Mary Peters as saying state officials will wait for the results of a highway improvement study before proceeding. The Republic spoke to ARPA representative Earl Eisenhower, who said, "I don't want to see this study put on a shelf and gather dust."
With the Baseball train demonstrating the use of commuter rail in Arizona, with the Valley Connections light-rail study in Phoenix and Tempe, and with our 1992 Regional Rail White Paper in preparation to be updated, there is much to be done. Please do not hesitate to call 480/947-5710 and help make Regional Rail and Light Rail a reality in Arizona.
See also: High Speed Task Force and ARPA's Arizona Rail proposal
SCOTTSDALE EMBASSY SUITES, 8 APRIL - ARPA members today presented the Arizona Rail concept to attendees of the "Scottsdale Business Showcase," a trade show put on by the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce.
Fairgoers were attracted to a large map of metro Phoenix, with red lines indicating rail lines as "Eight Lane Freeways We're Not Using." An aerial photograph marked with the Phoenix Central Corridor light rail and potential light rail lines in Scottsdale drew a great deal of interest.
Many were also intrigued by our bottles of "TRAFFIC JAM" (cactus jelly, really.)
Of the several hundred persons with whom ARPA members spoke, only two were observed to have negative comments about the potential for using rail passenger transportation in the Valley. Well over a hundred attendees were so moved by our presentation that they signed a petition stating "I believe light rail should be a part of a comprehensive transportation system in Scottsdale."
It was observed that the failure of last September's transit election here was perhaps due to the downplaying - even outright elimination - of rail as a component of Scottsdale transportation.
ARPA's Urban Position Paper of June 1997 states, "ARPA recognizes that a comprehensive plan for the transportation needs of Arizona's major metropolitan areas will require a variety of solutions. We believe light rail should be implemented within corridors linking major activity centers, whereas commuter rail should be used to link suburban areas to those downtown cores with high levels of entertainment, employment, and government activities."
Thanks to ARPA members Gary Thorne, Earl and Judy Eisenhower, Bill Lindley, and Rob Bohannan for making ARPA's presentation possible.