Rep. Greg Stanton is pushing to return long-distance train access to Phoenix, the largest city in the U.S. to not have intercity passenger rail service.
In doing so, Stanton, D-Ariz., is continuing his work as Phoenix mayor to expand train access and promote public transportation.
Not having intercity rail service not only impedes the mobility of Phoenix residents, but others trying to visit Arizona's capital, leading to negative financial consequences.
“Phoenix is the largest city in the United States without access to passenger rail service,” Stanton said Tuesday at a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on Amtrak operations. “As other communities have gained access to passenger rail, they’ve experienced significant new economic opportunities. But Arizona has missed out.”