Arizona Rail Passenger Association

By John J. Gale

Imagine standing in the middle of a freeway as cars, trucks and motorcycles rush by on either side. Maybe you have experienced this if you have waited for a train at an in-median station. I have in LA on the Metro Green Line which is located in the median of Interstate 105 (Century Freeway), and certainly there are such stations in other locations around the country such as Chicago and the Bay Area. It is not particularly fun to wait for a train at these types of station. Now imagine doing that in Phoenix when it’s 110! Read the rest of this entry »

Available here (PDF).

Highlights:

• ARPA Adopts Resolution to Support Daily Sunset Service
• Volunteers Needed: McCormick Park Rail Fair- Scottsdale – Oct. 9 and 10
• CityCircles Web Site for Metro LRT Users
• Light Rail in Freeway Medians?  Not Really a Good Idea by John Gale
• More Volunteers Needed: Let’s Rejuvenate ARPA! by President Rob Bohannan

Talk of the Tempe South expansion plans has been going on since before METRO light rail opened in December of 2008. Since then, we have seen a ton of changes and have seen transit ridership continue to evolve in the area. On September 23rd, METRO will present their “preliminary staff recommendations” for the Tempe South corridor. The Tempe South Transit Study has mentioned Bus Rapid Transit along Rural Road and a Modern Streetcar option at the Mill Avenue District. Originally, the Modern Streetcar was to head South on Mill from the station at 3rd street but a fairly recent idea for a route along Ash Avenue has emerged.

METRO will have a public meeting at MADCAP on the 23rd where people can get more information. Comments about the Tempe South study are appreciated and can be left here. The decisions made during these meetings have long term impact on the entire area so if you have opinions, you should probably pay attention… –  From  RailLife

Public Meeting

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
MADCAP Theaters
730 S. Mill Ave., Tempe

NOTE: At the suggestion of ARPA’s Bill Lindley, the Ash Avenue alignment was added.  This will serve the Tempe Depot and future regional rail trains to Wickenburg, Tucson, and Los Angeles.

Beginning the train's journey, the two FP7 locomotives appear at the crossing east of the Clarkdale depot.

The Verde Canyon Railroad, billed as Arizona’s Longest Running Nature Show, will celebrate its twentieth year of operation in 2010.

Of Arizona’s two excursion railroads, the VCR has by far the more stunning ride, taking you right along the top and through the heart of the Verde Canyon, with its flowing water and profuse plant and animal life. Every season is different, from fledgling eagles and spring flowers to cottonwood trees in bright autumn hues.

A variety of accommodations and numerous special theme trips will delight you; you will want your trip here to the first of many. En route to Clarkdale or on the way home, experience the history and variety of small town Arizona in nearby Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and Jerome.

Telephone 800-582-7245 for information or reservations.

METRO and the cities of Tempe and Chandler have been working together to analyze transit options to better connect the southeast Valley. The Tempe South High-Capacity Transit Study, funded by the Year 2000 Proposition 400, has evaluated a range of transit technologies and potential north-south alignments from the light rail starter line in Tempe since the study’s inception in 2007. The transit option selected will improve mobility in this city and region, support future growth and work in complement with the existing transit network.

Modern streetcar in the Mill Avenue corridor — generally south from downtown Tempe to Route 60 — has been analyzed and is becoming a reasonable option for this extension and community.  Modern streetcars have the ability to increase transit ridership in this corridor, support the growing demand of this area and its special events as well as stimulate development and revitalization of downtown Tempe and its neighborhoods.

The study is moving toward a final Locally Preferred Alternative.  Please share your input on this project.  METRO and the partnering cities will conduct a public input process sharing the study findings this fall.  The process will include a public meeting, group presentations and online comments.  Visit www.metrolightrail.org/tempesouth or contact Carla Kahn at 602-744-5552 or ckahn@metrolightrail.org to learn more about the findings and ways to provide your input.