Proposed commuter rail in the Phoenix metropolitan area
Proposed commuter rail in the Phoenix metropolitan area would bring four light-to-moderate-speed rail lines using upgraded freight rail corridors. Trains would run about every 30 minutes during peak hours and about every two hours in off-peak times, and the system would complement a Phoenix–Tucson passenger rail project planned by the state and Amtrak.
History and context
- Passenger rail ran in the Phoenix area in the past, with service to Phoenix, Glendale, Wickenburg, Tempe, and Mesa until the 1960s.
- Interest revived after the 1980 Hattie B. flood relief train, with wider promotion in 1991 by the Arizona Rail Passenger Association.
- The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) and the Arizona Department of Transportation studied commuter rail as a companion to light rail, leading to a MAG Commuter Rail Strategic Plan in 2008.
- A 2008 state transit proposal, supported by business leaders and then-Governor Janet Napolitano, would have funded commuter rail on upgraded freight lines with stations about 3–5 miles apart, but it did not advance to a ballot.
The 2018 plan and corridor concept
- In 2018, MAG updated its study and removed the Chandler Corridor (to avoid competing with a separate San Tan Corridor) and extended the Kyrene Line.
- The proposal now centers on four corridors with two daily services each. Central hubs would include four shared stations: State Capitol, Phoenix, Sky Harbor Airport, and Tempe.
- The plan considers extensions, such as an extra Grand Avenue station in Wickenburg, additional San Tan Line stops in San Tan Valley and Florence, and a potential Estrella Line extension to Arlington.
- Overall services would follow a two-service-per-corridor approach, with 30-minute peak headways and 2-hour off-peak headways.
The four corridors
- Grand/Kyrene Line: Starts in Wittmann and travels southeast toward Phoenix, then down the Kyrene Corridor to Chandler. Total about 53.8 miles (86.6 km) and roughly 66–73 minutes for a trip end-to-end. The corridor passes through Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, and nearby communities, with growth expected in the 2015–2040 period and access to major colleges in the region.
- Estrella/San Tan Line: Runs from Buckeye east into Phoenix, then southeast along the San Tan Corridor to Queen Creek. About 61.4 miles (98.8 km) and 74–82 minutes end-to-end. Growth is expected around Buckeye, Goodyear, and surrounding areas, with key destinations including Goodyear’s airport and a local nuclear facility to the west if the line is extended.
- San Tan Line Corridor: A 41-mile (66 km) route from Phoenix toward San Tan Valley via the Phoenix Subdivision. It’s a single-track line with passing sidings and would serve growing communities around Phoenix and Tempe, with access to Sky Harbor and local universities and technical schools.
- Kyrene Line Corridor: An 18-mile (29 km) route from Phoenix to Wild Horse Pass through the Chandler area. It’s largely a single track with Amtrak-era signals remaining, and it would serve Sky Harbor, the campuses of ASU and the University of Phoenix, Tempe’s sports and entertainment venues, and the Wild Horse Pass area.
Station and infrastructure plans
- Phoenix Union Station would be expanded with additional platforms and tracks to handle through trains and western termination services.
- The plan assumes most tracks would share space with freight railroads (Union Pacific and BNSF), except for a two-track segment in the Phoenix core for passenger trains.
Costs and capacity
- Estimated capital costs are about $2.5 billion, whether using diesel multiple units or push-pull trainsets.
- The rail lines would be certified to operate up to 80 mph (130 km/h), with upgrades to signals, track, and sidings to support reliable service.
Projected impact
- By 2040, each corridor could attract around 10,000 daily boardings, making the total system a meaningful part of the region’s transportation mix.
- The network would connect campuses, airports, and growing suburbs, supporting commuting and regional travel while sharing tracks with freight operations.
Overall, the Phoenix commuter rail plan envisions four connected corridors using upgraded existing rail lines, with frequent peak trains, limited off-peak service, and a major upgrade to Phoenix Union Station to support regional rail travel.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 19:08 (CET).