The Arizona Department of Transportation convened an Executive Leadership Team recently to guide the study of potentially adding passenger rail service between Phoenix and Tucson, officials said.
The leadership team is made up of members from the governor’s office, the ADOT, and metropolitan planning organizations–the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization. Officials said collaboration between the organizations is key in forming the next steps in the service plan and its development program.
“Investing in passenger rail between Phoenix and Tucson holds enormous promise for economic growth and employment, and would mean more transportation options for more Arizonans,” Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said. “Regional collaboration is critical to advancing this effort, and having key partners at the table will help us move full speed ahead as we continue to study this project’s potential.”
Hobbs’ office said the initiative will build on the governor’s commitment to advancing Arizona’s transportation future, and make use of the $3.5 million in one-time funding Hobbs’ secured to support the development of a Phoenix to Tucson rail service plan.
The ADOT said the next steps will include identifying the number and location of stations along the route based on demand, feasibility, local support and other considerations; locating needed infrastructure improvements; and forecasting ridership and revenues while determining service operations and estimating the capital and maintenance costs.
The proposed Phoenix to Tucson passenger rail corridor extends an estimated 160 miles between Tucson and Buckeye, Ariz., and anticipates three daily round trips.