21st Century Transportation for Arizona

CONNECTING ARIZONA WITH RAIL—Arizonans drive more miles, experience more congestion and produce more pollution from transportation than they did two decades ago. Arizona PIRG is working to provide more transportation options for our state.

ARIZONANS NEED TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

Our highways are plagued with congestion, regardless of how many we build or how quickly we expand them. Pollution is a growing problem, with more of our children being affected by asthma. And a strong economy relies on having strong infrastructure.

It’s clear that Arizona needs to update and expand our transportation system to meet our needs in the 21st century.

Passenger rail between Phoenix and Tucson, light rail, efficient bus systems, vanpool services and other public transit options should play a greater role in Arizona’s transportation future.

Working To Make Passenger Rail A Reality

No matter how many times we widen the I-10, it’s nearly impossible to drive between Phoenix and Tucson without getting stuck in traffic. The Arizona Department of Transportation estimates that by 2050 it will take more than 5 hours to drive between Phoenix and Tucson — after factoring in expansion of the I-10.

ADOT is moving forward to determine the best route and funding options for a Phoenix-Tucson passenger rail line. While important progress is being made, there are still a number of steps needed, including public input meetings, to bring passenger rail to Arizona. With your support, we can ensure Arizona’s leaders know that Arizonans want better transportation options.

Issue updates

News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Maricopa Association of Governments Urged to Adopt Safeguard for Privatization Deals

The Arizona PIRG Education Fund provided the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Transportation Policy Committee with privatization principles to protect the public interest in these deals as MAG entered into a policy discussion about public/private partnerships in the region.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Local Leaders Asked to Find Reliable Funding for Transit

At a recent Maricopa Association of Governments meeting, the Arizona PIRG Education Fund urged the local government leaders to find reliable sources of funding for transit so that Maricopa County residents can have transportation options.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG | Transportation

Public Transit Projects Create More Jobs than Highway Projects

New data released today by the Transportation Equity Network reveals that investment in public transit can create hundreds of thousands more jobs than highway projects.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Transit Service Cuts to Impact Valley Residents

Today marks the beginning of cuts to transit service in the Phoenix metropolitan area.  Light rail service will be less frequent during peak hours and peak hours are being reduced by two hours each day.  Bus routes also are being affected – some routes will have less frequent service and some are being eliminated altogether.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG | Transportation

Public Transportation Projects Create More Jobs than Building Highways

Stimulus money invested in public transportation projects created twice as many jobs as highway projects, according to a new report released today by Arizona PIRG, in conjunction with the Center for Neighborhood Technology and Smart Growth America.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG | Budget, Transportation

U.S. House Acts To Create Jobs, Put Nation On Path To Economic Stability

Arizona PIRG lauds the passage of H.R. 1, the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act by the U.S. House of Representatives.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Transit Supporters Laud Creation of New Rapid Bus Route

Statement of Jesse Victor, Transportation Association for the Arizona PIRG Education Fund, on the connection of a Rapid Bus Line in Chandler to Light Rail.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG | Transportation

Arizona PIRG: Prioritize Maintenance in Transportation Wish Lists

Statement of Arizona PIRG Transportation Associate Jesse Victor on the 9,500 transportation projects included in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official’s survey of “Ready to Go” projects released today in an appeal for more transportation funding in a potential jobs bill.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG Education Fund | Democracy, Transportation

Effects of Campaign Giving on Transportation Policy Highlighted in New Report

The Arizona PIRG Education Fund released a new report highlighting the potential influence of campaign giving on transportation funding decisions at the state and federal level. Greasing the Wheels: the Crossroads of Campaign Money and Transportation Policy looks at transportation funding and campaign contributions both in Arizona and across the nation.

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News Release | Arizona PIRG | Transportation

Four Billion or Bust: Campaign Launches for High Speed Rail Funding

As Congress finalizes this year’s transportation spending bill, the Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG) and more than 100 organizations, public officials, municipalities, and small businesses from around the country have come together to support a full $4 billion investment in high speed passenger rail.

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Priority Action

Tell the Arizona Department of Transportation why you want to see a passenger rail line built between Phoenix and Tucson.

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