Can you imagine stepping on a train in Bakersfield, and one hour later finding yourself in downtown Los Angeles? That concept may be a reality in a few short years.

Trains were the topic of Wednesday morning’s Sit and Sip. And not just any trains, high speed electric trains that reach a speed of 220 mph. Former county supervisor Gene Tackett was the main speaker at the Sit and Sip breakfast at Joe’s Restaurant. Tackett enthusiastically presented the benefits of a future high speed train in California, and distributed information to those in attendance.

By linking all major cities in California with a state-of-the-art new transportation option, high-speed trains will move people and products across our state like never before.

According to Tackett, the cost to build the 800-mile system is estimated to be about $40 billion. Once built, the system would not require operating subsidies and would generate $1 billion in annual profits.

“In the long run, this project would be more economical than adding on to current forms of transportation, and it would end up paying for itself”, said Tackett. To serve the same number of travelers as the high-speed train system, California would have to build nearly 3,000 miles of new freeway plus five airport runways and 90 departure gates in the next two decades. With a price tag of $82 billion, such levels of construction are barely plausible.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is actively pursuing a multi-track financing strategy for the planning, design and construction phases of the project, including three tiers: state and local funding, federal funding and “P3”- public-private partnerships.
A $9.95 billion general obligation bond is set on California’s November 2008 ballot, asking voters to make California the first state in the nation with intercity high-speed train travel.

California’s planned 220 mph high-speed train system will increase mobility while cutting air pollution and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

In addition to relieving traffic congestion by keeping cars off the roads, the system will eliminate traffic delays at existing at-grade railroad crossings by replacing crossings with overpasses or underpasses. And by moving people and goods quicker and cheaper than we do now, the system will boost our productivity to new heights. When it comes to safety, studies have shown that high-speed trains will reduce the number of traffic accidents on our roads and highways.

According to Tackett, the central valley would see great benefits from the high speed train. Travel would no longer be challenged by valley fog and bad weather conditions over mountain passes. Also, high speed trains would preserve farmland by using existing rights-of way where possible, and create nearly 160,000 jobs.

With voter approval of the high-speed train bond in November 2008, construction is likely to begin as early as 2011 on an 800 mile statewide system of high-speed trains.

More information about the proposed California high-speed trains can be found at http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov