Phoenix Park Ranger Carlos Sotomayor Sued

Every person that flies to, from, or even passes thru Sky Harbor Airport is forced to pay a $4.50 tax on their plane ticket to pay for this billion dollar boondoggle.

Every airline passenger is forced by the city of Phoenix to pay this $4.50 Sky Train tax even if they don't use the Sky Train, which as of now isn't even finished.

The $1.58 billion Sky Train pork project will connect Sky Harbor Airport to the light rail station at 44th Street & Washington, which is another billion pork project.

Source

Airport’s ‘Sky Train’ to open April 8

Posted: Saturday, March 23, 2013 10:14 am

ABC15

Airport’s ‘Sky Train’ to open April 8

Passengers will soon be able to board the PHX Sky Train and get to Terminal 4 of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport or the East Economy parking lot in a matter of minutes.

The free electrically-powered train will open to the public on April 8 at noon, Phoenix mayor Greg Stanton said Thursday.

The train will allow passengers to travel between level 3 of the airport and the METRO Lightrail station at 44th Street and Washington. The train will operate 24-hours a day, 365 days a week.

The trains will arrive and depart from stations every three to four minutes. Traveling from the airport to the East Economy parking is estimated to take two minutes, while those continuing to the light rail station will have a five-minute commute.

Passengers will be able to print their boarding passes using kiosks at the station. Those traveling on Southwest Airlines or US Airways will be able to utilize the Early Bag Check option, which allows passengers to check their bags at the station at no additional cost.

The city plans to expand the train to offer service to Terminal 3 by early 2015, which will allow passengers traveling to Terminal 2 to have a short walk.

Phoenix Sky Train - Funding

PHX Sky Train - Funding

How is the PHX Sky Train funded?

The total estimated project cost of $1.58 billion is paid for with airport revenues and passenger fees. $644 million for Stage 1, $240 Million for Stage 1a, and remaining funds for Stage 2. But, what many don't realize is that no local tax dollars are being used to pay for the PHX Sky Train. In fact, no local tax dollars pay for anything at the Airport. The Airport is self-funded through its own revenues. The Airport also receives federal grant money for some major construction projects. Detailed project cost estimate, schedule, and a plan of finance for the final stage, which will transport passengers to Sky Harbor's Rental Car Center, is subject to change based on passenger traffic and final design.

So, how is the PHX Sky Train being financed?

The train is being funded by Airport bonds that are backed by Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) and other Airport revenues.

The Airport generates its own revenues from shops, restaurants, parking, aircraft landing fees and other services. Basically, any time you spend money at the Airport, part of the revenue made from that purchase is reinvested into the Airport. In fact, federal law states that no funding from the Airport can be sent to the City's general fund or other organizations. In other words, monies earned at the Airport must stay at the Airport.

Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs) are fees that are added to airline tickets. The PFC is a maximum of $4.50 per flight with a maximum of $9 per trip (for passengers connecting through multiple airports). The federal government has requirements for how PFCs can be spent at airports. They must be used for capital expenses, such as the PHX Sky Train, that improve or expand the aeronautical infrastructure.

The PHX Sky Train is paid for by Airport users. It will help alleviate congestion and traffic on Sky Harbor Boulevard, making it more convenient to get to the terminals. It is a very environmentally friendly mode of transportation as it will remove approximately 20,000 cars and buses from Airport roadways every day when Stage Two is complete all the way to the Rental Car Center.

The Sky Train will also provide several easy options for getting to the Airport. Stage One will take travelers from a station at 44th Street and Washington into the Airport. That station will be a new doorway to Sky Harbor, providing a seamless connection to and from METRO light rail. It will also serve as a convenient passenger drop-off and pick-up location for drivers who would like to avoid Airport roadway traffic. The PHX Sky Train will also serve East Economy parking.

Inaugurarán Phoenix Sky Train

Inaugurarán tren PHX Sky

Phoenix, Arizona

por Samuel Murillo - Mar. 22, 2013 11:00 AM

La Voz

A partir de las 12 del mediodía del 8 de abril será inaugurado al público el PHX Sky Train que conectará la Terminal 4 con el estacionamiento este del Aeropuerto Sky Harbor de Phoenix y con la estación del tren ligero, ubicada en la Calle 44 y Washington.

El anuncio se realizó ayer jueves por el alcalde de Phoenix, Greg Stanton y el director del Departamento de Aviación, Danny Murphy.

"La conexión del tren PHX Sky con el tren ligero allana el camino para una cómoda y fácil transportación desde y hacia el aeropuerto, y es un verdadero punto de orgullo para nuestra ciudad", declaró Stanton.

Los pasajeros que usen la Terminal 4, que sirve aproximadamente al 80 por ciento de los viajeros del Aeropuerto, tendrán acceso gratis al PHX Sky desde el nivel 3, donde se localizan los puestos de inspección y seguridad.

Desde ahí podrán disfrutar un recorrido de dos minutos de viaje hasta el estacionamiento económico Este. Los que deseen transportarse desde ahí en el PHX Sky hasta el tren ligero podrán hacerlo en un tiempo de 5 minutos de recorrido.