2011 Arizona State Rail Plan - Arizona Department of Transportation

Arizona State Rail Plan
coordinated with the train’s schedule.
• Work with UPRR and Amtrak to raise the
scheduled travel speed on the Sunset Limited
across Arizona from 49 mph to approximate
the current 64 mph of the Southwest Chief. At
the same time, maintain the current on-time
performance (reliability) of this train. It will
benefit from double-tracking of the Sunset
Route.
• Operate a second daily train along the Sunset
Limited route which could serve Phoenix directly,
using the UPRR Phoenix Subdivision.
• Improve passenger facilities at stations where
existing conditions may discourage ridership,
such as Benson, Maricopa and Yuma. Investigate
the feasibility of offering checked baggage
service at these stations.
• Install self-serve Amtrak ticket machines at
stations, especially Maricopa and Tucson.
New Amtrak Service
A new Amtrak California route is proposed between Los
Angeles and Palm Springs, California, which provides the
opportunity for Amtrak to expand service east to Yuma
and Phoenix. This service would supplement the Sunset
Limited/Texas Eagle route, and could provide multiple
trains between Phoenix and Los Angeles each day.
Increase Ridership on the Southwest Chief
Improving schedules and on-time performance of the
Southwest Chief would support development of an
intercity passenger rail system throughout the Southwest.
The Chief connects Chicago and Los Angeles, both of
which provide connections to regional rail networks and
future HSR networks. Within Arizona, this link to Los
Angeles allows the opportunity to boost tourism by using
Amtrak to connect the Los Angeles Basin with northern
Arizona, specifically Grand Canyon National Park via the
Grand Canyon Railway.
Opportunities to increase ridership on the Southwest
Chief through Arizona, as well as achieve a desirable level
of intercity passenger rail service include:
• Raise the on-time performance of the Southwest
Chief across northern Arizona to at least 90
percent, making it one of the most reliable longhaul
Amtrak services in the country. This route
is a high priority for Amtrak, as it offers the most
direct connection between the second and third
largest metropolitan areas in the U.S., and serves
major tourist attractions such as the Grand
Canyon and Santa Fe.
• Improve passenger facilities at stations where
limited amenities may discourage ridership, such
as Winslow, Williams Junction, and Kingman.
Investigate the feasibility of offering checked
baggage service at these stations.
• Install self-serve Amtrak ticket machines at
stations, especially Winslow and Kingman.
(Flagstaff already offers this service.)
• Work with the Grand Canyon Railway to add a
ticket machine, or at least direct Amtrak ticket
sales, at its Williams depot.
Expand Tourism
An intercity rail system has the potential to support one of
the largest economic engines in the State: tourism. Based
on annual averages, Arizona attracts roughly 102,000
visitors a day. Travel-related spending in 2008 was $19
billion, with more than half for leisure and hospitality
services. Rail can be a tourist destination or activity,
as seen from the successful Grand Canyon Railway and
Verde Canyon Railroad tourist routes. ICR between the
Phoenix metropolitan area and tourist destinations in
northern Arizona would enhance recreational traffic
to the Grand Canyon, Verde Valley, and other such
locations. Any plans for ICR services along existing freight
rail routes will require PTC measures as required by the
FRA guidelines.
30 Arizona State Rail Plan
March 2011