The Arizona Republic reports that The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport revealed their new PHX Sky Train transit system. The transit system area includes transport to:
- A lightrail station
- Sky Harbor airport terminals
- Parking
- Airport rental car facilities
It is a 4.8 mile project. The cars are being designed by Bombardier Transportation Holdings USA to model those at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport but modified to better accommodate a desert environment. The cars are designed with white roofs and silver casing and minor black accents to keep the Arizona heat out. Cars are also air conditioned. Cars are about 36 feet long, 9 feet wide, and 11 feet high holding roughly 53 people in each train (each train is 3 cars long).
The dark-colored bottom, or “skirt,” of the train has vents that will help the components underneath stay cool. The airport officials also made sure the air conditioning system was powerful enough to maintain 72 degree interior temperature during triple-digit summer temperatures.
In total there will be 18 cars and a maintenance facility on site in the transit system. The first test car is scheduled to arrive in August of 2011. The first stage of the PHX Sky Train project is scheduled to open in 2013 with total completion expected in 2020.
The project is being paid for by bonds which will be paid pack with monies collected from customer fees at Sky Harbor.
The PHX Sky Train system is another step in Phoenix area transit efficiency, connecting to the current Phoenix lightrail transit system that takes passengers through Phoenix and many of its suburbs while also passing through three university campuses. There are also future plans for lightrail system expansions with the growing communities and popular appeal among commuters. Many Arizonans working in Phoenix commute from Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Chandler and surrounding areas. All the more reason to check out homebuying opportunities in the quieter suburbs if the city-life is not as appealing.
