operation . Yet early in the project , the state Legislative Analyst ’ s Office questioned its ridership , fare structure and revenue projections , casting doubt on High-Speed Rail ’ s ability to operate without government subsidies . In January 2017 , the Federal Railroad Administration criticized the Authority for delays and cost overruns . And in June , its CEO stepped down . Now more than ever , CHSRA needs strong leadership and reliable funding .
Prop 1A specified $ 950,000 to go toward connector projects . Some of those funds have been allocated to the Caltrain Peninsula Electrification Project . In May , Transportation Secretary Elaine Chou came through with $ 100 million of $ 508 million in federal funds committed to that project . This was welcome news since Caltrain ’ s shift to an electrified rail system is a critical precursor to the development of high-speed rail in the San Francisco to San José Corridor .
Meanwhile , California ’ s own private sector investors have been mum . Where are Apple , Google , Tesla and Intel when we need them ? Their workers stand to benefit greatly from a high-speed rail system that will free them from Silicon Valley gridlock . Maybe they ’ re distracted by Elon Musk ’ s Hyperloop , with its giant tubes and 700 mph automated transport pods ; or Waymo ’ s new fleet of self-driving Pacifica hybrids .
“ I ’ m sure the CHSRA Board would be more than happy to talk to Google ,” Tripousis said . “ It ’ s more likely that traditional players ; rail operators , sovereign entities like China , Japan , and Spain , will show interest in helping us complete the system , and being a partner in its operation . We ’ re required by law to deliver the California High-Speed Rail and ensure it can operate without reliance on public subsidies .”
We have to consider that future generations may be forced to issue additional debt to help pay for rail system operations and maintenance . We have to ask ourselves , at what level is California ’ s debt beyond what our state and local governments can afford to service ? Particularly if California ’ s bond rating weakens and interest rates rise in the years ahead , or if we slip into another recession .
The PASSENGER experience
When asked how passengers are likely to experience California ’ s High-Speed Rail , Tripousis said , “ As anyone who ’ s ridden a high-speed train internationally knows , it ’ s one of the most pleasant travel experiences you ’ ll ever have . It ’ s an exceedingly fast but incredibly smooth and comfortable ride . You can stretch your legs , get up , walk around the cabin , and head off to the dining car for a meal . You ’ ll see the California countryside in a way that you can ’ t when you ’ re driving or flying . And of course there ’ s access to Wifi to study or work productively during the ride .
“ High-Speed Rail will shrink the state in a way that will serve Californians as never before . The Central Valley will become connected to economic centers in the Bay Area . And Bay Area companies can locate satellite offices in the Central Valley . Every station city has the opportunity to improve and diversify its economy . By locating the line along the Route 99 corridor , we connect the downtowns of Merced , Bakersfield and Fresno and create efficient point-to-point travel which supports diversification of local economies . High-Speed Rail is a catalyst for the development of station areas into regional centers of commerce and tourism . When you improve economic , social and cultural mobility , north to south , and east to west , across a big state like California , it ’ s a game changer .
“ The Gilroy Station Area has great potential as a regional hub for commerce , for agritourism , and for people in Morgan Hill , San Martin , Hollister , Castroville , Salinas and Monterey . People will be surprised how new opportunities to travel the state present themselves because it ’ s more accessible than catching a plane and less hassle than driving a car .”
CHSRA resources
CHSRA Project Updated Report 2017 hsr . ca . gov / docs / about / business _ plans /
CHSRA Ridership / Revenue Forecast hsr . ca . gov / docs / about / business _ plans / 2016 _ Business _ Plan _ Ridersihp _ Revenue _ Forecast . pdf
CHSRA Interactive Video of Alignments , San José – Gilroy hsr . ca . gov / Programs / Statewide _ Rail _ Modernization / Project _ Sections / sanJosé _ merced . html
CHSRA Right of Way Process : Assistance with Property Appraisal and Acquisition www . hsr . ca . gov / docs / programs / private _ property / ROW _ Process _ 2014 . pdf
Stay Informed Locally
City of Morgan Hill , morgan-hill . ca . gov / 1552 / High-Speed-Rail
City of Gilroy , gilroyhighspeedtrain . org /
Santa Clara County flyover video , sccgov . org / sites / dpd / DocsForms / Documents / HSR _ flyover _ May2017 _ small . mp4
Ways to Contact CHSRA
Online hsr . ca . gov ( general ) buildhsr . com ( construction updates )
Headquarters ( Sacramento ) ( 916 ) 324-1541 info @ hsr . ca . gov Krista Jensen , Board Secretary boardmembers @ hsr . ca . gov
NC Regional Office ( San José ) Ben Tripousis , Director ( 408 ) 277-1083 northern . california @ hsr . ca . gov
San José to Merced Project Section Gary Kennerly , Manager ( 800 ) 455-8166 san . José _ merced @ hsr . ca . gov
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JULY / AUGUST 2017 gmhtoday . com
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