It’s possible the move could put the onus on Arizona officials to step in to support passenger train services within the state, Trifiletti said.

But the Arizona Constitution could raise a hurdle. It states that no money from fees, excises or license taxes related to vehicles should be used for anything other than highway and streets.

And it’s not likely a portion of the $1 billion surplus in the state’s general fund will be used for railroads, said Trifiletti, adding that supporting train services may fall to the counties.

“If they’re absolutely serious about killing off the long-distance trains, they really need an alternative,” said Trifiletti. He’s been speaking with mayors along the 15 long-distance routes to get them to reach out to federal lawmakers regarding the possible service changes.

The group’s message is that the social costs of losing train services, including the ability to serve those unable to fly or drive, would be too great.

“The people who live out in these open spaces of the West, if they lose the trains in these small towns, may have to drive 300 to 500 miles to the nearest city where there’s an airport to get around or they drive the whole distance,” Trifiletti said.

Down the road