Notes from a questions answered by Thomas Downs, Amtrak President, at the National Association of Railroad Passengers Spring Board Meeting, April 1996.
There has been "An almost intentional comedy of errors," starting with the SP / UP map error which showed the Phoenix line on the post-merger map. Mr. Downs said the process has been drawn out to minimize criticism during merger.
At insistence of letter writers, to force the issue, Mr. Downs wrote letters to UP and SP heads. Responses were: UP - Can't discuss, inappropriate with merger talks; SP - Have made decision to abandon.
Downs "asked Symington personally" about rail project but saw no enthusiasm; Downs "cannot believe a rail link from Los Angeles to Phoenix" is not in Arizona's interest; and that Phoenix is "not an insignificant loss" to Amtrak, but without support from the state, city, or county, that Amtrak had no choice in the matter.
Downs is "desperate not to leave Scottsdale and Phoenix," which is a growth market. He said, "We haven't done near enough to market to retirees." And, while other cities are partnering with Amtrak, he was disappointed such was not happening here.
Amtrak will try to provide service from Phoenix and Scottsdale. The town of Maricopa said they are interested in helping build a station to tie into their casino market; the feeling was that a town of 2,500 cares more about rail service than Phoenix and Scottsdale combined.
Back to the Phoenix West Line Page