Maricopa to Phoenix

[rusty spike]

Has the situation changed at all since April 2012? Are there any new shuttles or other options yet since the schedule changed?

I was about ready to rent a pickup truck from the U-haul store near the Maricopa Station, but I think this Uhaul store does not regularly rent vehicles and has to order the trucks from another store.

Does the Wild Horse Casino offer a shuttle (either for a fee or free)?

We're trying to get closer to Ahwaktukee where relatives live as they do not drive.

Thanks.

I'm not aware of any new options since April. There is no public transportation from MRC to PHX, only an expensive cab ride, which you might be able to share with another Amtrak pax going your direction. At least Ahwatukee is a lot closer than central Phoenix.

Amtrak has had problems keeping shuttle contractors be cause of the OT performance of the SL/TE, its thrice weekly schedule and the relativey low boardings at MRC.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

As mentioned above, the Maricopa Express commuter bus no longer runs. A pity, because it might have worked for arriving passengers on weekdays with the new schedule.

Of course, the real solution is to get Amtrak back to Phoenix. Today's Arizona Republic has an article on Phoenix Union Station, along with some pictures. Unfortunately, the online version doesn't have the photos. There are some of the passenger lobby. There's still an Amtrak system map poster there, and the reporter mentions finding some Coast Starlight schedules.

The passenger lobby is essentially untouched. The freight area has been filled with telecommunications equipment by Sprint.

The station is not the roblem it's that UP dosen't use the tracks anymore except for storing railcars.

Has the situation changed at all since April 2012? Are there any new shuttles or other options yet since the schedule changed?

I was about ready to rent a pickup truck from the U-haul store near the Maricopa Station, but I think this Uhaul store does not regularly rent vehicles and has to order the trucks from another store.

Does the Wild Horse Casino offer a shuttle (either for a fee or free)?

We're trying to get closer to Ahwaktukee where relatives live as they do not drive.

Thanks.

I would suggest taking the train to TUS and then a Greyhound bus. Not too bad for a short ride.

 

[J Idso]

*** NOTE THAT THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF AN 8 YEAR OLD THREAD ***

Los Angeles and the Greater South Coast Population Centers are a pretty large source of passengers for Amtrak. Anyone travelling from that area to Phoenix would find Maricopa much quicker and

more convenient a connection point, as well as much cheaper. Fares to Maricopa from Los Angeles Union Station are usually $60 and below, whereby fares to Phoenix via Flagstaff run around $125.

The only advantage Flag has over Maricopa is daily service versus 3X/Week via Maricopa. Many Amtrak passengers can easily adjust their schedules to fit the less-frequent Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle

service into Maricopa. Or, maybe Amtrak could add one or two days' service to the southerly route?? Thyat train is usually pretty full anyway, and would likely stay that way, even with increased frequency.

So, what's holding Amtrak up?? Local politics? Inertia? They need to look at this one again. And make a different decision.

 

[Palmland]

If you didn't want to do the Flagstaff shuffle, I'd take the Sunset to Tucson. Avis is quoting a $93 rate for a one way rental from their downtown location in Tuscon to Phoenix airport. Makes a lot of sense if you will need a car in Phoenix anyway and especially so if there is more than one person. It's not a bad drive and follows the UP mainline for part of it. If coming from the east, I'd be inclined to get a room in the Congress hotel across the street from the station. Kind of a neat old hotel in an area that is slowly being gentrified. Ask for a quiet room if on the weekend as it seems to be a good party area around there - or just join in.

 

[the_traveler]

The big holdup of increasing service is that Union Pacific (UP) is the host railroad and owner of the tracks used by the Sunset Limited (SL). UP is requesting (read demanding) BIG money from Amtrak to increase passenger trains on that route! And that is also part of the reason why there is no thruway service from Maricopa to Phoenix.

Thruway service (except in California) is run by a private company under contract with Amtrak. Not many companies want to invest hundreds of thousands or millions of $$$$ for a service that will only operate 3 times a week. And there is not much hope for them to make a profit on such a service. If there was, I'm sure someone would have started such a service long ago! :excl:

 

[Hank]

A couple of questions: Is there a rental car site available in Maricopa that is open when the train arrives? What about in Tucson? We are planning a trip sometime in Feb to visit family in Phoenix. Last time we took the SWC to Flagstaff and rented a car for the drive to Phoenix. This time, we want to see different scenery and thought going to the Maricopa station would work well. We will be leaving from St. Louis, btw.

 

[rusty spike]

There is no public transport or rental car from MRC to downtown Phoenix - only taxi (about $30 o/w). They have tried the shuttle to the airport but was discontinued due to lack of a dependable on time performance by the TE/SL plus its tri-weekly schedule. Best bet for rental is Tucson.

 

[tricia]

A couple of questions: Is there a rental car site available in Maricopa that is open when the train arrives? What about in Tucson? We are planning a trip sometime in Feb to visit family in Phoenix. Last time we took the SWC to Flagstaff and rented a car for the drive to Phoenix. This time, we want to see different scenery and thought going to the Maricopa station would work well. We will be leaving from St. Louis, btw.

Both Hertz and Enterprise have rental places close to the Amtrak in Tucson and will pick you up/drop you off. Check their websites for hours/days when they're open--Hertz is closed on Saturdays but Enterprise is open, for example.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I think Amtrak should get Thruway service to Phoenix from Kingman, which would be faster than Flagstaff or Tucson. The problem is the poor times in Kingman. Maybe use some cool 102A3s.

 

[rusty spike]

I think Amtrak should get Thruway service to Phoenix from Kingman, which would be faster than Flagstaff or Tucson. The problem is the poor times in Kingman. Maybe use some cool 102A3s.

I disagree. Per Mapquest, Kingman to Phx via US 93 is 184 miles/3:18 hrs; FLG to PHX is 144 miles via I-17/2:15 mins. And Tucson is even closer. Since Kingman is 174 rail miles west of FLG, those arriving on SWC #3 would be making a round-about trip into Phoenix. I don't understand your logic. I doubt the traffice would fill a 9-passenger Ford Econoline, let alone a cool 102A3.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I think Amtrak should get Thruway service to Phoenix from Kingman, which would be faster than Flagstaff or Tucson. The problem is the poor times in Kingman. Maybe use some cool 102A3s.

I disagree. Per Mapquest, Kingman to Phx via US 93 is 184 miles/3:18 hrs; FLG to PHX is 144 miles via I-17/2:15 mins. And Tucson is even closer. Since Kingman is 174 rail miles west of FLG, those arriving on SWC #3 would be making a round-about trip into Phoenix. I don't understand your logic. I doubt the traffice would fill a 9-passenger Ford Econoline, let alone a cool 102A3.

I'm trying to attact pax coming in from LAX. TUS is backtracking and FLG is a larger detour.