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Re: anti high speed rail campaign begins
Author: BOB2
Date: 07-25-2008 - 16:09
I'm gonna agree with our fellow writer "stash" on the merits of this SF Chronicle piece on Hign Speed Rail in California. This is an article not opposing the need for the proposed high speed bonds, or the concept of high speed rail, that is affordable, and serves California's needs, right? I strongly support the need to invest in high speed, efficient rail passenger service, and I found the points made important.
This Chronicle opinion piece points out correctly that we have a problem in California with how we design and build high speed passenger rail service. We have a dysfunctional state agency in California called the Calfornia High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) that has spent tens of millions on studies of systems, that are considered by many to be "not" what California needs, or can afford.
This happy ship of fools at CHSRA goes on and on with a vision that fails to connect all of California efficiently, that fails to take advantage of the infrastructure investments being made in our regional passenger rail, to create an effective passenger rail "system" for California. This is instead a plan for a single expensive and poorly thought out passenger rail "line", from San Francisco to LA, with a "spur" to Anaheim, and vague promises about other connections. It is certainly a project too focused on connecting the two places that will long continue to have effective and competitive air service, and leaves the rest of the state "waiting in the station" (and paying off the bonds?).
Most of the impetus for this dysfunctional CHSRA has been to supply endless contracts to well placed planning firms, it has displayed no real ability or serious impetus to build or operate a real rail passenger system, only to plan to build one. Now, however, if voters are given a chance to vote on the first high speed rail bonds, the stakes of giving this dubious organization public funds become serious.
The current plan is clearly seriously flawed as it relates to serving Southern California. Oh yes, there's been lip service and a fairly hokey environmental for a segment to CHSRA Member Kurt Pringle's Anaheim from Los Angeles. But, there's been no real assessment or attention paid to that regions rail passenger "system" needs in the CHSRA planning. This is not surprising given the bizarre origins of the CHSRA, which is the personal political fiefdom of former Senate President Quentin Kopp, it's Chair, and a powerful proponent of a Bay Area bias.
These bonds may well pass, and then we really might want or even need to ask, is there a faster, better, cheaper way to build a railroad that works?
This Chronicle opinion piece points out correctly that we have a problem in California with how we design and build high speed passenger rail service. We have a dysfunctional state agency in California called the Calfornia High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) that has spent tens of millions on studies of systems, that are considered by many to be "not" what California needs, or can afford.
This happy ship of fools at CHSRA goes on and on with a vision that fails to connect all of California efficiently, that fails to take advantage of the infrastructure investments being made in our regional passenger rail, to create an effective passenger rail "system" for California. This is instead a plan for a single expensive and poorly thought out passenger rail "line", from San Francisco to LA, with a "spur" to Anaheim, and vague promises about other connections. It is certainly a project too focused on connecting the two places that will long continue to have effective and competitive air service, and leaves the rest of the state "waiting in the station" (and paying off the bonds?).
Most of the impetus for this dysfunctional CHSRA has been to supply endless contracts to well placed planning firms, it has displayed no real ability or serious impetus to build or operate a real rail passenger system, only to plan to build one. Now, however, if voters are given a chance to vote on the first high speed rail bonds, the stakes of giving this dubious organization public funds become serious.
The current plan is clearly seriously flawed as it relates to serving Southern California. Oh yes, there's been lip service and a fairly hokey environmental for a segment to CHSRA Member Kurt Pringle's Anaheim from Los Angeles. But, there's been no real assessment or attention paid to that regions rail passenger "system" needs in the CHSRA planning. This is not surprising given the bizarre origins of the CHSRA, which is the personal political fiefdom of former Senate President Quentin Kopp, it's Chair, and a powerful proponent of a Bay Area bias.
These bonds may well pass, and then we really might want or even need to ask, is there a faster, better, cheaper way to build a railroad that works?
