PHOENIX (AP) -- Tempe and Mesa have decided to use security guards on their sections of the 20-mile light-rail line after a plan to use police personnel fell through.

However, Phoenix officials still plan to staff its portion of the rail line with police and say putting multiple agencies in charge of fare inspections would lead to inconsistent enforcement and possibly a less secure system.

"For some reason, their leadership has decided it's more important to be frugal than to ensure the safety of our ridership," Tom Simplot, chairman of Metro light rail and a Phoenix city councilman, said of the other cities' security plan.

Phoenix officials are worried that security guards will be less effective in educating the public about how to use the new system when it opens Dec. 27.

The rail's systemwide goal is getting 97 percent of riders to pay for their trip, an important financial target for $1.4 billion Metro light rail system.

"You get better customer service, better consistency" with a municipal force, said Maria Hyatt, Phoenix's light-rail coordinator.

Tempe City Manager Charlie Meyer said he is confident that security guards will be as effective as Phoenix police in enforcing fare collection and coordinating with Tempe police in the event of an incident on the trains.

"Our Police Department is responsible for security on the light-rail system and takes that very seriously," Meyer said. "We will be integrating Police Department personnel with security personnel so we always know what's going on."

Mesa officials said that once Tempe decided to use security guards, they did the same.

Because Phoenix personnel will disembark from the trains at the Tempe line, there would be no way for them to provide security once the trains reach Mesa.

Originally, Phoenix developed a plan to staff the rail system with six full-time officers and 18 "police assistants" who would inspect fares and provide security on the trains and at stations.

Phoenix would pay two-thirds of the cost, with Tempe and Mesa contributing the rest. Negotiations collapsed on April 30, when Tempe officials balked at the cost.

Going private will save Tempe about $350,000 a year, Meyer said.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

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