December 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 Light Rail Transit, Express Bus Rapid Transit and increased fixed route bus services, this brief details the option of Commuter Rail service for the East 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 intercity rail are all modes that will work together to provide citizens the mobility choices they need. Increasing population in the Southeast Valley, namely Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Sun Lakes, Queen Creek, Gold Canyon, Ahwatukee and Maricopa will ensure that congested freeways will become even more saturated within the coming decade. Whereas Light Rail Transit will be a prime travel choice in the Phoenix-Tempe-Mesa corridor by 2006, commuter rail is a viable answer to the need for alternative travel choices in Southeast Valley communities. The Arizona Rail Passenger Association advocates the partnering of Union Pacific Railroad, ADOT, Valley Metro and MAG to implement the creation of an East Valley Commuter Rail network. Using the existing Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way as a rail corridor, East Valley commuters will have a convenient and direct link from their neighborhoods to the business centers of Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.
Why Commuter Trains? Commuter trains are in essence an "express bus on steel wheels." However, while a bus can carry fifty passengers, and a light-rail train several hundred, a single commuter train can carry up to a thousand passengers, thus adding additional capacity to existing roadways, light rail and bus corridors. Commuter trains are also a more cost-effective alternative to building extra highway lanes because they use existing, privately owned rail infrastructure. Commuter rail also has the advantage of a dedicated right-of-way and a capability of speeds comparable to or better than adjacent Highway 60, Loop 202, Loop 101 and I-10. 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. A prime benefit of Commuter Rail is that these trains would run over nearly 52 miles of dedicated, unobstructed railroad right-of-way. Travel time between the furthest end stations - West Chandler, Sun Lakes and Queen Creek - and downtown Phoenix would be 30 to 45 minutes. Unlike Express Buses or Bus Rapid Transit, Commuter Rail trains would not be hindered by traffic and construction delays during the widening of Highway 60, Loop 101 and Loop 202.
 East Valley Commuter Lines Stations could be constructed along three Union Pacific branches at these suggested locations: Tempe (Macayo's Depot Cantina), Tempe (McClintock overpass), Downtown Mesa (Broadway & Center), Mesa/Gilbert (Baseline/Hwy 60), Downtown Gilbert, Williams Gateway (Power Rd / Pecos Rd), Downtown Queen Creek, Downtown Chandler, South Chandler-Chandler Airport (Queen Creek Rd.), Sun Lakes (Riggs Road), Tempe/Kyrene (Baseline-Kiwanis Park), and West Chandler (Chandler Blvd/56th St.). While identifying a funding source for this East Valley-Phoenix Commuter Rail plan will be a challenge, the benefits would outweigh the costs on many levels. A private transit contractor or the host railroad could be employed to run the service for the duration of the program. The train equipment could be short-term leased from other transit agencies and the host Union Pacific could grant the commuter service "shared use/trackage rights" in order to run trains on a user fee system. The user fee could be used to help fund upgrading the tracks to a maximum 59mph for passenger service, as well as help fund the construction of station facilities, platforms and temporary park'n'rides. If the demonstration project were 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. The East 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 an alternative to relieve pollution, congestion and stress for road-weary commuters. Arizona Rail Passenger Association |
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