Princely Trolley Tourism—Including Portland Junket—Costs Phoenix Transit Chief His Job

Especially galling: Stephen Banta's visit to downtown Portland steakhouse El Gaucho.

Ever since a youthful city commissioner nicknamed "Choo-Choo" Charlie Hales spearheaded the development of the nation's first new urban streetcar in decades here in 2001, transit officials from around the country have traveled to Portland to witness the rolling magic.

One of those officials may have enjoyed Portland a bit too much.

Last week, The Arizona Republic reported that trolley tourism played a role in the abrupt resignation of Stephen Banta, executive officer of Valley Transit in Phoenix—the city's equivalent of TriMet.)

The Republic reported that Banta's first-class travel, lavish restaurant meals and taxpayer-funded alcohol didn't sit well with the elected officials who sit on Valley Transit's board.

Especially galling: Banta's visit to downtown Portland steakhouse El Gaucho.

After The Republic reported on that dinner and other outsized expenses, Banta abruptly resigned his $264,000-a-year job last Tuesday.

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