Phoenix Pursues Light Rail, Not Maglev—A Rebuttal

Editor’s note: METRO plans to publish this in its February/March 2000 edition and has also asked the maglev group for a reply to this letter. Mr Luz, the leader of the maglev project, insists that he does have private funding and that the project is alive. If you would like to comment, please do so here: info@metro-magazine.com The City of Phoenix was very surprised to see METRO Magazine’s article entitled "Arizona Begins Maglev" in the January 2000 issue. According to the article, Phoenix is venturing into the world of maglev. Sounds exciting. Better yet, it’s funded by a private, nonprofit corporation. Sound too good to be true? Well, in fact, it is! No serious plans for maglev have been discussed by the City of Phoenix, nor have any city staff been approached about this project. No public meetings have been held to address any of the details of such a plan. While maglev may someday have merit as a technology of the future, the feasibility of such a proposal has never been analyzed or presented to this community. We have, however, spent the last 3-1/2 years studying light rail transit in Phoenix. In fact, the voters of the City of Phoenix will be asked to support a 4/10 of a percent sales tax increase on March 14. With the approval of this tax increase, the City of Phoenix will substantially improve bus and dial-a-ride services, and implement light rail transit. The details of this plan are legitimate, well defined, and have been presented to and supported by thousands of citizens in the City of Phoenix. The City of Phoenix is pleased to be presenting to the voters of Phoenix, a plan that includes a definitive light rail program that will lead our community into the 21st century.