August 2000
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The Arizona Rail Passenger Association has been a vocal supporter of multi-modal transportation options since 1978. While Valley cities are currently in the midst of investing in new Light Rail Transit, Express Bus Rapid Transit and increased fixed route bus services, this particular brief will detail the option of Commuter Rail service for the West Valley. ARPA wholeheartedly supports a multi-modal approach in educating the public on transportation choices, as each community is unique and may require one or a mix of options. Buses, light-rail, neighborhood shuttles, commuter-rail, express buses and inter-city rail are all modes that will work together to provide citizens the mobility choices they need. The West Valley has experienced phenomenal growth over the past decade, and a recent public report shows that the boom will continue for the next decade. The coming twenty year cycle may see the population of the cities of Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Tolleson and Litchfield Park add as many as 400,000 residents to their ranks. With this in mind, the need to provide transportation corridors and options to the residents of these communities is a top priority. Currently, Interstate 10 is the only main east-west highway corridor connecting these communities with the job-centers of Downtown Phoenix. By early 2001, the Loop 101 will be completed with its connection to I-10, providing West Valley commuters with a convenient link with Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, North Phoenix and I-17. Widening these corridors is one way to add additional auto capacity, but due to growing civic concern over congestion and pollution, this may not be a viable long-term alternative. However, as growth continues, it is predicted that these corridors will be at capacity by 2020. One possible solution in adding extra capacity to these roadways is the implementation of ‘complimentary’ commuter rail service along the parallel Union Pacific Phoenix West line.  The Phoenix West Line is the former railroad link between Phoenix, Yuma and Los Angeles, but has not seen regular passenger or freight service since 1996. Union Pacific (and predecessor Southern Pacific) chose to downgrade most of this line to “storage” in order to save on maintenance costs. Like many other state DOTs around the nation, Arizona Department Of Transportation could express interest in acquiring this line as a ‘vital state inter-modal corridor’, but funds for this acquisition must first be identified. Therefore, local funds may assist in using this underutilized line for passenger purposes. Currently this line sees only a few "local" freight trains daily between downtown Phoenix and Buckeye, but is still in relatively good shape since its downgrading from an Amtrak passenger main in 1996. As with all demonstration projects, it would be possible to obtain a ‘joint-usage’ agreement from owner Union Pacific Railroad in order to implement a commuter-demonstration train. West Valley cities or the region could provide operating funds for the train-set; the train itself could be short-term leased from another municipality such as Los Angeles, San Diego or Seattle, and the crew/operations could be contracted out to a local transit company. If the demo-project is later deemed too costly or unsuccessful, the only permanent infrastructure investments incurred by the joint-parties would be the development of station sites, platforms and temporary park & rides. Why commuter trains? Commuter trains are in essence an ‘express bus on steel wheels”. One train can carry anywhere from 300-1000 passengers, thus adding additional capacity to existing roadways, light rail and bus corridors. They are also a more cost-effective alternative to building extra highway lanes because they use existing, privately owned rail infrastructure. Another advantage is the fact that commuter rail would have a dedicated right-of-way and a capability of speeds comparable to or better than the adjacent I-10. Currently, express buses and Bus Rapid Transit must share the same General purpose and HOV lanes as automobiles, thus making them susceptible to traffic delays and auto congestion. If a funding source could be identified, the existing rail line between Phoenix and the West Valley could be upgraded to these comparable speeds within a matter of months. Currently, commuter rail is a successful and popular option being utilized by San Diego, Los Angeles, The Bay Area, Dallas and Seattle; with new systems being studied for metro areas such as Salt Lake City and Denver.  A joint venture between START, MAG, RPTA, ADOT and Union Pacific may be the key in creating a new West Valley commuter line for area residents. The 18-mile line between Phoenix and Avondale/Goodyear could be the first segment created for operation. An additional line such as the 3-mile Litchfield Park Branch to the Phoenix/Goodyear Airport and Wigwam Outlet Mall could also be upgraded at minimal cost. The 14-mile segment serving Buckeye could also provide service to Avondale/Goodyear and Phoenix. Lastly, Arizona Public Service employees could benefit from a “Palo Verde NGS-Express Only” train from Phoenix to the Nuclear Generating Station site 45 miles west of town. The plant is currently served by a short rail-spur that connects to the mainline to Phoenix. The West Valley is now at a crossroads. The need to provide residents with viable and convenient transportation choices should be key to any future planning process. The addition of commuter rail to Express Bus and Light Rail options would ensure that roadways and existing highway corridors would have additional capacity for future growth, while providing a pollution, congestion and stress free alternative to road-weary commuters. Arizona Rail Passenger Association |
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