All Aboard Arizona

The debate over the proposed Wittmann railyard highlights the challenges of rail expansion and the need for thoughtful planning that considers community impact, sustainability, and balanced investment in both freight and passenger rail. Arizona is growing, and smart rail policy should prioritize connectivity, environmental responsibility, and long-term benefits for Arizonans. While freight rail is essential, expanding passenger rail options can reduce pressure on highways, improve mobility, and provide an environmentally friendly alternative to driving. How do you think Arizona should balance rail expansion and community concerns? FYI BNSF Railway Maricopa County #wittmann # https://lnkd.in/gbU6hYwh

Thank you Transit Unplugged for highlighting Tucson’s transportation systems and leadership! ?? ?? Listen to General Manager Mikel Oglesby of Tucson’s transit system Sun Tran talk about how multimodal, energy efficient transportation is central to Tucson’s vision for the future: https://lnkd.in/gdWuYs2e

?????State support of rail projects is key to building capacity and serving communities. Successful global and domestic rail systems have more government support, not less. FYI- Rail Passengers Association Amtrak Arizona Department of Transportation Arizona Office of Tourism Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Pima Association of Governments Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

If we privatized Amtrak today, who would ensure routes like the Southwest Chief or Sunset Limited still run? Who would serve communities that aren’t profitable enough for a private company? Privatization isn’t the answer—real investment is. If we want better trains in Arizona and across America, we need: ?? Faster, more reliable service—which means funding infrastructure. ?? Fair treatment for passenger rail—which means enforcing laws requiring Amtrak trains to get priority over freight. ?? More rail options—not fewer. https://lnkd.in/gj3EsxyC

Protect Arizona’s Rail Future: No Cuts to FRA Staffing! All Aboard Arizona is proud to join 21 other organizations in urging Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to prevent staffing cuts at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). These cuts would directly impact rail projects in Arizona and across the nation, which are critical to expanding passenger service, improving rail safety, and strengthening our economy. The FRA plays a vital role in administering funding and approvals for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which has already committed billions to rail improvements. Reducing FRA personnel would only create further delays and slow much-needed progress. Arizona’s rail future depends on efficient federal administration. We urge Secretary Duffy to protect these mission-critical roles and ensure rail development stays on track. #AllAboardArizona #PassengerRail #RailAdvocacy #Arizona #FRA #Infrastructure #PublicTransportation #RailDevelopment FYI Jennifer Toth Greg Stanton Kate Gallego Regina Romero City of Tucson City of Phoenix Arizona Department of Transportation Arizona PIRG please share.

Momentum for Passenger Rail is Building—Arizona Must Not Be Left Behind! A recent U.S. Department of Transportation policy order highlights how passenger rail aligns with national infrastructure goals. This is a call to action! ?? Arizona’s growing population needs a modern, efficient rail network to connect our communities, reduce congestion, and support our economy. ? We must advocate for a future where Arizona is fully connected to the national passenger rail system. We need your voice! Join us and help push for better rail service in Arizona. ?? Read more from the High Speed Rail Alliance : https://lnkd.in/gtiweCPE #AZRail #PassengerRail #BetterTransit #USDOT #AllAboardArizona

"As a for-profit company, Amtrak fails ... spectacularly. As a government agency, created half a century ago to carry out a public purpose recognized in law and in Supreme Court rulings, it is a spectacular success worth celebrating, supporting, and building up." - Jim Mathews of Rail Passengers Association https://lnkd.in/g5d-Rjp6

“We conveyed to the U.S. Department of Transportation our belief that the vast majority of the transportation programs under USDOT’s jurisdiction should be exempt from the OMB memo,” explained Jim Tymon, AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials)’s executive director. Subsequently, on January 29, OMB issued a new memo entitled “M-25-14” that rescinded the “M-25-13” memo that called for a temporary pause on all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance. “AASHTO will continue to work with USDOT to ensure that federal funding to states and related project management functions are fully restored,” Tymon noted. https://lnkd.in/giz6_89d

?? Plan Tucson 2025: What kind of city do you want? ?? At All Aboard Arizona, we believe in a sustainable, connected, and transit-friendly Tucson. That means better passenger rail, better transit, and a stronger future for our communities. Now’s your chance to shape the next 20 years of Tucson’s development – but the deadline to provide feedback is January 31 at 5 p.m. TODAY ?? Share your thoughts here: https://lnkd.in/dqmrRhiH

A Rail Network Worth Fighting For - Fast Company Imagine an Amtrak that truly serves the nation. Arizona and the Southwest stand to gain tremendously from investments in expanded service, including the long-overdue return of the Sunset Limited east of New Orleans and a Phoenix-Tucson-Los Angeles corridor. But instead of making passenger rail an absolute transportation priority, we see constant political games with funding. Just last week, the Trump administration’s OMB withheld rail funds, only later suggesting they’d release them. That’s no way to run a transportation network. Arizona deserves frequent, reliable, and expanded rail service. Read more about what’s possible if the U.S. actually prioritizes passenger rail: https://lnkd.in/gu_zNfXg #allaboardarizona #RailForAZ #ExpandAmtrak #InvestInRail #TransportationMatters