Amtrak May Return to Phoenix

[charlie hebdo]

A new corridor,  LA to Tucson by 2035.  It might also have much commuter traffic. 

https://www.azfamily.com/news/amtrak-could-be-returning-to-phoenix/article_85c83048-13cf-11eb-ab99-e3f1ecf25ce5.html

 

[JPS1]

I am familiar with Tucson; I go there frequently to cycle.  The Tucson to Phoenix corridor is busy.  Commuter rail could help relieve traffic on I-10 between the two cities.  Whether it should be Amtrak or a local commuter rail authority is problematic.  My vote would be for a local operation similar to the North County Transit District, which runs the Coaster Commuter Rail from San Diego to Oceanside. 

[charlie hebdo]

Looks like the main cost is rehabbing the track to correct standards on part of the route,  along with stations.  

Yes,  I would think commuter traffic is best handled by a regional authority like Metra does here. 

[Overmod]

charlie hebdo

Yes,  I would think commuter traffic is best handled by a regional authority like Metra does here.

JPS1 can speak to this much better than I can, but I suspect access to money will be a major share of the concern here.

Assuming Tucson and Phoenix can decide on a fair allocation of cost between them, I doubt the two cities alone could come up with the cost of the necessary number of trainsets to run the service meaningfully for anything but peak-hour traffic reduction (something that I doubt would 'pay' politically enough to justify the use of 'scarce resources' necessary.  So is it cheaper to have Amtrak as the 'contract operator' with potential eased Federal access to things like trainset provision and insurance coverage, or have a state agency of some kind contract perhaps for used or rebuilt equipment, or for other sources of funding?

[CMStPnP]

I am not as pessimistic as the article I think we might see this done sooner.    The reason why I say that is I never thought I would see Phoenix adopt Light Rail and I was really shocked when it did given the attitudes of people that live there.   Now it is sometimes shaky with votes for expansion or improvement but I think Light Rail is around to stay in Phoenix.      So I am not seeing why it would take so long for folks to implement Phoenix to Tuscon rail service and in fact it might be accelerated.....time will tell of course.     I think if the LA to Vegas high speed rail project is successful, it might serve as an example for the whole region and move the Phoenix proposal along faster.     Though on the other hand I am also surprised that Austin-San Antonio, Texas has nothing in place yet and that Dallas to Houston is not further along as well.

[JPS1]

Amtrak operates three commuter rail services for authorities, i.e. Maryland Area Regional Commuter Penn Line trains, Metrolink trains for the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, and Shore Line East trains for the Connecticut Department of Transportation.  It also provides infrastructure access to eight commuter authorities, primarily along the NEC, and maintenance of equipment services to four authorities.  But it is not the only game in town.  And it may not be the best bet.  In fact, if I remember correctly, Amtrak has lost one or more commuter contracts because it was outbid by lower cost operators. 

 

The Trinity Railway Express, which operates commuter trains between Dallas and Fort Worth, is owned jointly by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the Trinity Metro, which is Fort Worth’s public transit system.  The trains are operated by Herzog Transit Services. 

 

The North County Transit District, which operates the Coaster commuter trains between San Diego and Oceanside is owned by North San Diego County.  The Coaster, as well as the Sprinter, is operated under contract by Bombardier. 

 

Tri Rail, which is owned by the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, runs from Mangonia Park to Miami Airport.  It is operated by Herzog.

[CMStPnP]

JPS1

The Trinity Railway Express, which operates commuter trains between Dallas and Fort Worth, is owned jointly by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the Trinity Metro, which is Fort Worth’s public transit system.  The trains are operated by Herzog Transit Services.   

I suspect but have no proof that both UP and BNSF had something to say about Herzog taking the contract over Amtrak considering the congested terminals in Fort Worth and Dallas.    I just cannot see either railroad saying "lets bring Amtrak into this mess".    Both railroads Herzog is a contractor or client and I think have a better working relationship than they do with Amtrak....just a wild hunch I have.   It could have been bid price as well.