Sky Harbor Airport's new SkyTrain makes its first trial run Monday

Sky Harbor Airport's new SkyTrain makes its first trial run Monday (Alberta Times) The first trial run of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport's new light rail train took place on Monday. Whole…

> Sky Harbor Airport’s new SkyTrain makes its first trial run Monday (Alberta Times) The first trial run of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s new light rail train took place on Monday. The entire operational test took place on the track between the new train station and the train's maintenance facilities in the East Budget Car Park. The autonomous, electric-powered PHX SkyTrain will operate at Metro light rail stations between 44th Street, Washington Street and the East Affordable Parking Lot and Terminal 4. The service is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2013. The PHX SkyTrain will operate seven days a week, 365 days a year and will be free. Phoenix Mayor Greg Tanton said the $1.5 billion project is entirely funded by Sky Harbor Airport fees. The interior of the PHX skycar looks like many subway light rail cars. It is estimated that the annual transportation volume will be 60,000, and the city's bus fuel will be saved nearly 100,000 US dollars a year. Stanton said, "This skytrain will be a short two-minute drive. It will only be a two-minute drive from the station to Terminal 4," and he said the Phase 1 project will create jobs for 6,000 people. The second phase is expected to create 2,000 jobs. According to Phoenix's official plan, the PHX sky train will serve Terminal 3 in early 2015, and Terminal 2 will have sidewalks. The airport's car rental center will also operate until 2020. "The future success of Sky Harbor is the future success of our city. They will go hand in hand," Stanton said.