California Voters Approve $10B Bond for Bullet Trains

[Hum]

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- California voters are green-lighting the nation's most ambitious high-speed rail system, approving a nearly $10 billion bond to put speeding bullet trains capable of topping 200 mph between the state's major metropolitan areas.

The measure, which passed with 52 percent support Tuesday, will fund the first phase of what is projected to be a $45 billion, 800-mile project built with state, federal, local and private money.

Backers sold the proposal as an innovative alternative to soaring airfares and gas prices. In the closing weeks of the campaign, they touted estimates that it would create nearly 160,000 construction-related jobs and 450,000 permanent jobs.

''In our state, transportation is always a big issue,'' said Mark Baldassare, president of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Public Policy Institute of California. ''A lot of people have a sense that maybe that (bullet train) is something I can use at some point. It's something they can relate to.''

The first phase of the rail line would link Anaheim, Los Angeles, Fresno and San Francisco. Planners eventually want to include Sacramento, San Diego and Oakland.

The $9.9 billion proposition includes $9 billion for bullet trains and $950 million for conventional commuter and intercity rail, including trains to connect travelers with the high-speed system.

''Californians decided to reduce our oil dependence, to build alternatives to traffic and long airport lines, and to help solve global warming. Californians were also voting to boost the economy,'' said Emily Rusch of the California Public Interest Research Group.

High-speed rail lines are well established in Europe and Japan, but not the United States. Amtrak's Acela Express, linking Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., is the only U.S. rail line that tops the 125 mph considered ''high speed'' by international standards, and even that line averages far slower over the course of its full run.

California's plan still needs support from federal and local governments and private investments. Supporters say that with enough money, the first trains could be running in six years and the entire system could be completed by 2020.

Opponents also fear the measure might not pay for itself and require ongoing subsidies. An environmental group, meanwhile, has sued over the proposed route from the Central Valley to the San Francisco Bay area.

California's effort has been 14 years in development, since it was first recommended by a commission in 1994.

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[mattmatik]

So glad this passed. It's much needed in this state.

Environmentalists should look at the big picture: yes, it will take land to build the system but the positives for decreased carbon monoxide and other waste is huge. I'm sure they could find reasons why breathing is an environmental issue.

[Hum]

Won't a bullet train rail system be sensitive to earthquakes ? :huh:

[+Gary7 Subscriber²]

I thought that they were broke. Arnold even asked the US Govt. for money..????

[Hum]

^ A bond is allowed by the state government -- the actual money is put up by those private individuals who invest in the project.

The bond is repaid, with interest, to the investors over many years.

California should be able to repay from the revenues the train brings in. ;)

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

The Shinkansen outside of Japan.. that would be cool to have in Toronto :D or across Canada

[Zab]

Bullet train from Windsor <---> London <---> Toronto <---> Ottawa <---> Montreal <---> Quebec City

Would be Godly!