Not so fast

The text below is prompted by the article punished by the ABC-7 Watch Live, publication, January 10, 2022. “Here’s everything to know about Gov. Newsom’s proposed 2022 budget plan” Includes $9.1 Billion for California’s High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and all other in process and planned California’s rail transportation projects.

If the CHSRA remains funded, here is an outline of what to expect by 2029-2030.

• Completion of a single rail HSR track between Bakersfield and Merced, CA; Traveling between Los Angeles Union Station and San Francisco, CA the outlined segments are: Amtrak bus trip from Union Station to Bakersfield, Board HSR train to Merced. For a 200 MPH travel experience. Board on Amtrak bus traveling to San Jose, CA from Merced, Board commuter train from San Jose to San Francisco, for 95 MPH travel experience.

The total travel duration via the above method is unknown, buy magnitudes greater than a flight from LAX to SFO.

An airline 45 minute flight time experience between LAX and SFO is an alternative.

After the completion of the Bakersfield to Merced HDR segment, funding for the two end segments, Merced to San Francisco, and Bakersfield to LA Union Station remains unavailable.

Via the original 2008 concept, due to the nearly prohibitive costs to have HSR right of ways, installed in densely populated areas, the HSR right of ways will stop short of densely populated area and transition to light rail commuter trains. Example: the San Jose to San Francisco commuter rail segment. Thus, the entire LA to SF route will not be HSR speed, i.e., 200 + MPH.

Previews of coming attractions.

Gordon V. Jefferson Lancaster