Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport celebrated a major milestone with the opening of the PHX Sky Train April 8.

The Phoenix City Council and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton took the first official ride after a ribbon-cutting event earlier in the morning.

Passengers using the PHX Sky Train will find a seamless connection between Terminal 4, which serves 80% of the passengers at Sky Harbor, East Economy parking, and the regional METRO light rail system at 44th St. and Washington.

“This is an exciting day for the city of Phoenix and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport,” Mayor Stanton said. “The PHX Sky Train’s connection to light rail paves the way for convenient, multi-modal transportation to and from the Airport and is a true point of pride for our city.”

Travelers using Terminal 4, Sky Harbor’s busiest, will access the free PHX Sky Train from Level 3, where the gates and security checkpoints are located. From there, it is a two-minute ride to Sky Harbor’s largest economy parking area. Those wanting to connect with the METRO light rail only have a five-minute ride between Terminal 4 and the 44th St. Station. Trains arrive and depart every three to five minutes.

The automated, electrically-powered PHX Sky Train operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “We are especially proud that the environmentally-friendly project has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the Unites States Green Building Council,” said Phoenix Aviation Director, Danny Murphy.

The PHX Sky Train stations also provide many amenities for travelers, including the ability to print boarding pass at kiosks and pet parks. Early Bag Check, available at East Economy parking since December, also opened at the 44th St. Station on April 8. It allows travelers flying Southwest or US Airways to check their bags at the station for no additional cost.

For those picking up travelers, the 44th St. Station features a cell-phone waiting lot. METRO light rail customers will have the opportunity to purchase light rail tickets at the 44th St. Station.

By early 2015, the PHX Sky Train will serve all three terminals at Sky Harbor, with a station Terminal 3 and a walkway to Terminal 2. In its final stage of construction, the PHX Sky Train will continue to the Rental Car Center.

“This project is a significant milestone in Sky Harbor’s growth. It will make traveling easier by relieving the roadways of congestion and will further connect our community with sustainable transportation options,” said Phoenix City Manager David Cavazos.

Key companies involved in the design and construction of the PHX Sky Train (Stage 1) include:

Fixed Facilities

Gannet Fleming – Prime Design Engineer

HOK – Station Architect

Hensel Phelps – CM at Risk

McCarthy Building Companies – General Contractor

URS – Project Management Consultant

Train System

Bombardier – Train System Provider/Operator

The Weitz Company – Train System Contractor

Lea + Elliott – Train System Consultant