Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Arizona

Phoenix Voters Save Light Rail

Phoenix voters rejected a ballot proposition that would have curtailed light rail expansion in the future.

Voters in Phoenix have soundly rejected a proposal that would have halted the expansion of the city's light rail system — a proposition that had the backing of dark money linked to the notorious anti-transit Koch brothers.

In a 62-to-38 percent vote, residents turned aside Proposition 105, which would have redirected a previously passed tax away from light rail towards other transportation improvements. It would also have required "terminating all construction, development, extension, and expansion of" light rail.

The vote was 107,370 against Prop 105 to 64,666 in favor. A second ballot proposition that would have capped spending on city services until its pension debts are reduced was defeated by a two-to-one margin.

The effort to end light rail in Phoenix was part of the legacy of the petroleum tycoon and conservative radical Charles Koch and his late brother David, who funded grassroots activist campaigns to kill transit projects in cities around the country.

They succeeded in Nashville last year and they almost did again in Phoenix where they backed a group of Arizona business owners and developers who petitioned to get a proposition on the ballot that would strike down the city's South Central light rail expansion.

Turnout for the special election was a record high and surpassed a prior ballot initiative four years ago when about 21 percent of Phoenix voters went to the polls and approved a tax increase that would fund light rail projects.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, who was elected five months ago, argued the rail system would sacrifice $600 million in federal funding if the proposition passed. Gallego thanked a slew of union leaders, activists, business leaders, activists, and Council members Debra Stark and Laura Pastor for the ballot victory Tuesday night.

"Light rail expansion is not stopping— not today, not tomorrow, not ever," she tweeted. "We have and will continue to protect our rail because this is not about one route, this is about equity for our entire community."

Ridership on Phoenix's light rail system has risen steadily since it launched a decade ago. The number of annual trips rose from 12.7 million in 2009 to 16.5 million in 2017, although ridership dipped 4.4 percent to 15.8 million last year.

The $1-billion project would extend the rail line from downtown five miles down Central Avenue to Baseline Road in South Phoenix. Construction on the line is expected to begin in 2020 and service will start by 2023.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Wednesday’s Headlines Are for the Children

From mothers with babies in strollers to preteens on bikes, much of the U.S. is hostile to families just trying to get around without a car.

July 2, 2025

Ambulance Data Reveals That Boston Drivers Are 4 Times More Likely to Run Over Pedestrians From Black Neighborhoods

"Overall, residents of predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods are about four times more likely than residents of predominantly white neighborhoods to be struck as a pedestrian."

July 1, 2025

Tuesday’s Sprawling Headlines

Sprawl seems to be having a moment, but it remains a very shortsighted and environmentally disastrous way to solve the housing crisis.

July 1, 2025

Does Constant Driving Really Make Our Country Richer?

A new study reveals that constant driving is making America less productive and prosperous — and getting people on other modes could help right the ship.

July 1, 2025

This Threatened Toronto Bike Lane Gets More Rush Hour Traffic Than the Car Lane

Toronto leadership claim "no one bikes" on their cities' paths — but the data shows otherwise.

July 1, 2025
See all posts