Okay so I did some checking. The greyhound bus that is the thruway connection in Flagstaff leaves from Albuquerque about the same time as the Train. It appears the bus travels faster than the train. Bus goes abq, intermediate stops,flg - Phoenix. SO that is one option for travelers to Phoenix from the east.
Car rental is available in Abq one way PHX from $68.00.

This may save someone some time in the future. ABQ is a border city so I will save some points as well.