Did you know the State has a $310 billion plan to expand trains in California? Where will the money come from? Where are the riders, since current train systems need to cut back for lack of ridership.
“The state of California has unveiled a $310 billion plan to expand the state’s rail network to increase its share of passenger travel from 2% to 20% by 2050 through a network featuring extensive electrification and zero-emission operations.
The new State Rail Plan was announced Jan. 7 by Gov. Gavin Newsom. It envisions an electrified network including, but going beyond, the current high-speed rail system under construction, including additional service or new routes that are part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development program announced in late 2023 [see “Full list of passenger routes …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 8, 2023].
“Our vision is simple: by 2050, every Californian should be able to choose rail as a way to get to their destination, near or far,” Newsom said in a press release. “Our rail plan is ambitious, but as the world’s fifth largest economy bursting with talent and innovation, we’re ready to take on this challenge.”
Gavin needs to get into therapy, quickly. We can not take care of government education, benefits to illegal aliens, help the homeless—while families and business are fleeing the State. The LAO admits tax revenues will be going down for at least the next ten years—while government spending continues to go up. When was the last time someone told you they are go grocery shopping, go to work, school or visit Yosemite, via a train?
Why was Newsom trying to keep this secret?
California rail plan calls for $310 billion program to expand electrification, passenger service
By Trains Staff, 1/8/25 https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/california-rail-plan-calls-for-310-billion-program-to-expand-electrification-passenger-service/
SACRAMENTO — The state of California has unveiled a $310 billion plan to expand the state’s rail network to increase its share of passenger travel from 2% to 20% by 2050 through a network featuring extensive electrification and zero-emission operations.
The new State Rail Plan was announced Jan. 7 by Gov. Gavin Newsom. It envisions an electrified network including, but going beyond, the current high-speed rail system under construction, including additional service or new routes that are part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development program announced in late 2023 [see “Full list of passenger routes …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 8, 2023].
“Our vision is simple: by 2050, every Californian should be able to choose rail as a way to get to their destination, near or far,” Newsom said in a press release. “Our rail plan is ambitious, but as the world’s fifth largest economy bursting with talent and innovation, we’re ready to take on this challenge.”
Said state Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, “Critically, this plan pushes beyond the status quo, improving multimodal options, clean air and equitable access to jobs and other opportunities ― all vital components of a thriving community.”
The full 70-page plan is available here, with a two-page fact sheet here.
The government is asking to spend over $7500 per man, woman, or child, legal or illegal, to build train service, without the necessary electrical infrastructure. Then, they will charge you an arm and a leg to use, and somehow instead of 2% of the people using the train it will be 20%. Not likely! Besides, a government estimate, such as the “bullet” train is usually well underestimated, therefore, the $7500 per person estimate to build the train system will likely be closer to $20,000 per person. Another huge waste of money by Democrats!