Phoenix 1997 Transit Election

Is rail part of the plan?

The Phoenix plan includes funding for a rail plan... but any rail would be built only if demand warrants and the City Council approves.

"Perspective on mass transit: Light rail goes West" by Neal Pierce, Washington Post Writers Group, The Arizona Republic, Aug. 31, 1997, page H5. QUOTE: "Dallas' 14-month-old, 20-mile light-rail starter system, born out of years of often acrimonious debate, is looking like a winner. Two intersecting lines, providing alternatives to Big D's gruesome traffic jams, are attracting close to 30,000 riders a day, many of whom tell pollsters they never rode mass transit before." Photo with caption, "Dallas' new 20-mile light-rail system is attracting about 30,000 riders a day, and interest from satellite cities and developers."
"Transit tax is ticket to light rail, opponents say" By Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 17 August 1997, page A1. QUOTE: "A train could be in Phoenix's future. It's not really that far off -- five to 20 years, depending on who's speaking, and it must be preceded by a beefed-up bus system, more density in the city's core, and a finding that rail would cut air pollution and traffic congestion."
According to Jim Howl, Republican candidate for governor, in his letter in the Mesa Tribune, 23 July 1997, "...it's possible to know right now how light-rail service will work in getting cars off the road and clearing our air. How? A commuter rail pilot run... The mass-transit folks should plan, right now, for a two-month trial run next summer."