Phoenix airport adds light rail link
— -- When light rail debuts later this week, free shuttles will provide a critical link between the train and the nation's eighth-busiest airport, city officials say.
Every 10 minutes, buses will pick up passengers from the station at 44th Street and Washington and will take them to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The shuttles will stop at each terminal.
At minimum, airport officials expect that the shuttles will carry 650 people a day. However, that number is expected to grow as more people learn about the service, said Julie Rodriguez, airport spokeswoman.
The shuttles are "a big priority for us," Rodriguez said.
"We want to be as accessible as possible for riders to take light rail to the airport."
The airport stop is one of the most important parts of the 20-mile line.
Sky Harbor served 42 million passengers in 2007, so the light-rail station could give millions of travelers convenient access to attractions in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.
That list includes Phoenix Convention Center, Tempe Town Lake, museums, college campuses, Chase Field and hotels.
"A lot of people are thrilled that there will be a convenient, affordable option to get to the airport," said Hillary Foose, light-rail spokeswoman.
The $2.50 round-trip fare is cheaper than the fares charged by taxis or airport shuttle firms, she added.
On Saturday and Sunday, the shuttle will have a limited service. On Monday, the shuttle will start its permanent daily schedule, 4 a.m. to 1 a.m.
City leaders also hope that many of the 33,00 people who work at the airport will take light rail to work, which could help to cut air pollution and traffic congestion.
Down the line, Sky Harbor plans to phase out shuttles.
Eventually, an automated train will take passengers around the airport. The project will cover 4.8 miles and will cost $1.1 billion.
Construction on the project began this year, and the first phase is scheduled to open in 2013.
The entire system will be up by 2020, Sky Harbor officials say.
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