Arizona Rail Passenger Association

Phoenix To Lose Rail Link to Los Angeles

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Q. Amtrak is in financial trouble anyway, what does it matter that we lose the line?

Amtrak is facing some difficulties; however, the passenger rail mode is experiencing a vibrant revival in this country. In fact, around the world both developed and emerging countries are more and more turning to the rail mode as a means of mobility for their citizens. As regional rail systems are developed, tremendous cost savings are realized when existing rail lines are incorporated into the system. As Phoenix and the Valley step into the future, it is inconceivable that we will not need a direct link with our California neighbors.

Q. How has rail service been preserved elsewhere and what can be done here?

The threatened loss of a portion of Southern Pacific's Phoenix line involves two distinct issues: How can the rail infrastructure be preserved, and how can the passenger rail service which uses the line be preserved?

• Infrastructure.

  In some states, most notably California, portions of trackage no longer desired by the railroad itself have been purchased by a state or local public entity. However, public policy in Arizona has heretofore not favored the public acquisition of infrastructure previously held in the private sector.

  In the past, Amtrak itself purchased lightly-used rail lines-- such as a portion of the Boston-Albany route-- from the host railroad in order to remaining the market being served through the use of such trackage. Given the precariousness of Amtrak's current financial position, together with the shallowness of its commitment to Arizona markets, this too, is unlikely.

  The most likely means of preserving the line would be the sale of it-- probably with the remainder of the Phoenix subdivision (i.e., from Picacho to Wellton) to one of several short line railroad companies which are expected to be actively interested in acquiring it. Southern Pacific's former Douglas, Globe, and Hayden branches-- all unwanted by Southern Pacific-- have all been acquired by-- and operated profitably by-- short line railroads. Arguably, none of the three branches mentioned has the growth potential of the Phoenix line.

• Passenger Rail Service.

  The second issue, preserving the passenger rail service over the line, is the far greater of the two challenges. As the current operator, Amtrak, itself appears resigned-- even eager-- to abandon direct service to Phoenix, preservation per se isn't an option, after all. However, public policy-- or the private marketplace-- will one day demand rail passenger service between Phoenix and the West Coast: and service at a magnitude much greater than tri-weekly as currently provided by Amtrak.

If we lose Amtrak service, we lose a battle, If we lose the track, we lose the war. For nowhere in Arizona has a rail line, once removed, ever been replaced at a later date. The track must be preserved.

Q. What are other metropolitan areas doing to preserve and enhance rail service?

All around the United States, State and local governmental agencies are acting to preserve and enhance their rail networks. Just a few of the metropolitan areas that are actively building rail passenger networks:

• Dallas
• Chicago
• Miami
• Seattle
• San Diego
• Los Angeles

Five years ago Los Angeles had no regional rail passenger service; today their Metrolink system operates over 300 miles of routes and has plans to expand service all the way into the next century.

San Diego has just begun a regional commuter service, and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has a study underway to spend over $20 million dollars to rebuild and upgrade the former San Diego & Arizona Eastern from San Diego to a connection with the Southern Pacific near Yuma. This would restore a second rail connection to their city and give their industries and port a direct connection to the East.

Q. If the West line is not financially viable, why keep it open?

The issue is not whether the 83 miles are economically viable: it is whether the direct connection between the populated industrialized centers of southern California and Phoenix is important.

Although the focus of ARPA is the rail passenger mode, the Association recognizes that there will surely be degradation of freight deliveries. Further, there are numerous examples around the country where economic and population centers are linked by "non-economic" mileage of airways, roads and rails. These are not dismantled because one particular enterprise finds them uneconomical for its short-term use. Finally, the cost of replacement or a massive upgrade program far exceeds the retention costs.

Next Page:

• Contacts

Other Pages

• Background
• Consequences
• Press Release, June 15, 1995

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