High Speed Rail

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has released a new business plan at that creates a clearer path for a viable high speed rail system and is expected to create 100,000 jobs in the next five years and another 1 million jobs over the life of the project.  California’s high speed rail system is also expected to reduce carbon emissions by 3 million tons annually.  Read more about the business plan and download a copy here.

The plan has been described as “solid” by Governor Brown and hailed by State Treasurer Bill Lockyer as an honest “new approach that deserves praise.” 

Following the High Speed Rail Authority’s release of the business plan, Mayors Anthonio Villaraigosa, Ed Lee, and Chuck Reed joined Jim Earp, executive director of the California Alliance for Jobs and Maureen Hayes , Chair of the High Speed Rail Task Force, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, to provide reaction to the updated business plan.

“I want to commend the Governor for his role in putting new people on the High Speed Rail Authority who looked at this project with a critical eye and put together an honest assessment of California’s high speed rail system,” said Executive Director Jim Earp, California Alliance for Jobs. “Our forefathers had the vision and wisdom to invest in our infrastructures at critical points in our state and nation’s history. The high speed rail system is no different.”

“When you consider California’s future mobility needs, it becomes clear that we simply cannot move the people and goods that our population will soon demand without forward-thinking transportation options like high speed rail,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Going forward, we should closely examine linking commuter and inter-city rail as we develop a robust high speed rail network. And as we press ahead, ensuring that the project makes financial and technical sense is crucial.”

Read what others leaders are saying about high speed rail.