Most commutes not affected by Amtrak change

Nearly three-quarters of readers who responded to this week’s online poll, “Is the Amtrak schedule affecting your commute?” said no.

Of the 188 responses, 137, or 73 percent, were no, while 51, or 27 percent said yes.

On May 7 Amtrak changed its schedule from making six weekly stops at its Maricopa station around midnight to stops at 5:30 a.m. Monday, Thursday and Saturday and stops at 8:52 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

The trains usually block the crossing at State Road 347 for 15 minutes or longer.

For three years the city has been working to relocate the station west of the crossing and will apply for a grant from the Gila River Indian Community to help pay for the relocation.