What Amtrak's Return to Phoenix Could Mean for Travelers

Light rail is all the rage in Phoenix right now, with the city's new system surpassing projections and breaking records. Maybe that's why Amtrak officials are optimistic about bringing full-sized railroad service back to metro Phoenix after a nearly 15-year-absence.

According to The Arizona Republic, Amtrak's service through southern Arizona aboard The Sunset Limited is among its least profitable routes. Currently, Amtrak only runs through Yuma, Maricopa and Benson on The Sunset Limited. On its way from Los Angeles to Chicago, The Southwest Chief stops in Flagstaff. The state's population growth gives Amtrak officials some faith that its service could actually work in Arizona if it's willing to make some changes.

For now, there appears to be no time table or concrete plan.

That makes it hard for any resident or traveler to truly get excited. Even before 1996, traveling east to Chicago meant a two-hour drive to Flagstaff to catch The Southwest Chief. And it will still take 9 hours to travel west to Los Angeles. The article in The Arizona Republic said firmer plans are weeks away. Another challenge is negotiating with the freight companies that currently own the existing track.

As a stop-gap before Amtrak might run into Phoenix again, officials are proposing running busses from Phoenix and Tempe timed to meet the trains in Maricopa. That's a less-than-attractive option. It discontinued the 45-minute bus service 10 years ago. Even with the bus service, having the stop in Maricopa made Amtrak a virtual non-entity for travelers. I doubt the bus will equal any success for Amtrak, and it could distract from the smarter plan of running Amtrak directly into Phoenix.

One the plus side, newly available federal money and a much-larger Phoenix-area population could make Amtrak successful in Phoenix again. Daily service to Tucson could be a huge benefit. If Tucson, Phoenix and Amtrak have the foresight to work together to create some interlinking public transportation options, I could see Phoenicians heading south to enjoy some of Tucson's recreational options. There could also be some business travel, with many Arizona-based organizations having branches in both cities.

If Amtrak can find a way to make a Tucson-Phoenix-Flagstaff route, it might have a winner. That would effectively link the major business centers and the three state universities (University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, respectively). Flagstaff is a popular getaway for metro Phoenix residents eager to escape the heat. It's also a small, walkable (or rideable) town that doesn't require a car to take advantage of its amenities.

Service from Phoenix to Los Angeles could also be a winner. Though airfare is currently very cheap, declining amenities from the airlines and security hassles could make riding the rails an attractive alternative for leisure travelers. Even if it's a nine-hour trip, it could offer fewer hassles than air travel - and a more comfortable experience. I took The Lincoln Service from St. Louis to Chicago just a few years ago, and was very impressed by the legroom, if not the scenery. Passengers using Amtrak for travel throughout the Southwest could definitely enjoy the comfort of rail travel, along with some epic scenery.

Amtrak might want to look to Australia, where train service is a viable option from its major cities. Even though it's not high-speed, railroads help carry people out of Sydney, for example, to nearby vacation destinations in the Blue Mountains. It's reliable, inexpensive, comfortable and convenient.

Amtrak's idea has potential. We'll soon find out if it can actually become a truly modern blueprint for bringing passenger rail service back to Phoenix.