Transportation from Maricopa AZ (and other stations)

I felt that this was important enough to bring up, again. A few years ago, my wife and I were dropped off by the Sunset Limited in Maricopa, AZ (the Phoenix stop). The train was due around 10pm, and research before our trip noted bus, as well as taxi service would be waiting at the station. Since our train was over 2 hours late, NOTHING was waiting at this tiny station. No Uber responded to our call. We lucked out by a group of 4 taking us on the van they had pre-booked. It is NOT unusual for this train to be running late. To be stuck in the boondocks near a major city is a crock.

Amtrak does not seem to notice or care that last mile connections are getting worse over time thanks to a lack of coordination and poor schedule keeping.

Amtrak has a thruway bus that runs to several locations in Phoenix including Sky Harbor Airport. Just make sure you book it when you make your reservation.

This is an old thread but good to bring up. I live in Maricopa. In today's world, you probably won't get an Uber or Lyft. Even a taxi is a long shot. No one wants to work. Gas is super expensive (even for us). The shuttle to Phoenix Sky Harbor is good and will be there. There are a few people in town that run their own transport service. They are reliable. About $70 for a trip to the valley. I have seen plenty of upset people at the station that think they are getting an Uber or Taxi, and no one shows. Things are constantly changing so tomorrow may be a better story.

texline said:

In today's world, you probably won't get an Uber or Lyft. Even a taxi is a long shot. No one wants to work. Gas is super expensive (even for us).

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We have found this to be true in Colorado and Portland areas when we would call and not be able to get an Uber, even before gas prices went up. Does anyone know, is this true with taxis in Santa Ana, California as well? (IF our trains are on time) we will be getting into Santa Ana around 11pm, and were fully planning on calling a taxi to get us to Huntington. We've been assured that taxis will be available.

AnnieB said:

We have found this to be true in Colorado and Portland areas when we would call and not be able to get an Uber, even before gas prices went up. Does anyone know, is this true with taxis in Santa Ana, California as well? (IF our trains are on time) we will be getting into Santa Ana around 11pm, and were fully planning on calling a taxi to get us to Huntington. We've been assured that taxis will be available.

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Santa Ana shouldn't be any problem to get a ride! It's California where the Car is still King!

You will want to line up your ride BEFORE the Train gets to the Station by using an APP or Calling since it's late night and others will be getting off there also.

toddinde said:

Amtrak has a thruway bus that runs to several locations in Phoenix including Sky Harbor Airport. Just make sure you book it when you make your reservation.

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So in a similar fashion to how LMY works if you plan and book before arrival you can still get a connecting ride. That's good news IMO.

Bob Dylan said:

Santa Ana shouldn't be any problem to get a ride! It's California where the Car is still King!

You will want to line up your ride BEFORE the Train gets to the Station by using an APP or Calling since it's late night and others will be getting off there also.

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Thanks, will do!

My family and I was booked on the Sunset Limited to Phoenix in a sleeper June 19th via the thruway motorcoach connection at Maricopa.

Amtrak contacted us Monday, canceled our full reservation, and said all service from Maricopa to Phoenix has been 'suspended indefinitely'. Apparently Amtrak no longer provides service to Phoenix. Again. :-(

jccollins said:

My family and I was booked on the Sunset Limited to Phoenix in a sleeper June 19th via the thruway motorcoach connection at Maricopa.

Amtrak contacted us Monday, canceled our full reservation, and said all service from Maricopa to Phoenix has been 'suspended indefinitely'. Apparently Amtrak no longer provides service to Phoenix. Again. :-(

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Big Suprise! Amtraks New Motto should be
" We can't get you there!"

Bob Dylan said:

Big Suprise! Amtraks New Motto should be
" We can't get you there!"

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In Maine we have an expression for that: "You cahn't get theah from heah, Deah".

jccollins said:

My family and I was booked on the Sunset Limited to Phoenix in a sleeper June 19th via the thruway motorcoach connection at Maricopa.

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Based on personal experience: Call and book a private van pickup service before you leave. This train is rarely on-time, and not even our Uber calls were answered at 1 am. The van is used to these late arrivals

Nah, they won. Not interested in a difficult nail biting experience with my 9 and 11 year olds. We booked for $19 each with Frontier Air SFO to Phoenix. And they're almost always on time and have much prettier stewardesses than Amtrak!

One of the reasons why the transportation from Maricopa to Phoenix is in limbo is because they will have a few months of restrictions on the 347. Then 1-10 will also be shut down both directions as they work on the big curve project. We will have to detour through Riggs Rd and then to the 202 loop the long way to the 143 and airport. You can still get drivers here to take you up to the valley, they raised the prices due to gas going up. Usually, $80 to the airport but I imagine the long way around will cost a bit more. If the forum allows it, I can ask the drivers if they want to post their phone numbers. Uber and Lyft can be hit and miss here but I do know drivers who are still working for them based here.
I will have to check but I just rode the other day, and a van was at the station. I will have to swing by and ask.