This looks like an attempt to "test" rail passenger service to and from the Coachella Valley. There is just no "there"-"there" in this set of funding requests, to deal with the realities of providing the kind of high quality service improvements that would be necessary and that UP would demand.

Don't get me wrong, there is a need for interregional and peak services from the Coachella Valley into SB, Riverside, Orange and LA Counties, as the I-10 is already well on its way to being a full time "exurban" freeway corridor parking lot. And, given the alternative freeway improvement costs (some of which will still be needed to meet future travel demands), paying UP for an operating easement, and putting in the 500 million or so in track improvements for a high level of commute and intercity service could be a very worthwhile investment on that corridor.

It would sure be nice if we can get more IC service levels on LOSSAN north to SB, and get some of these improvements which would assure reliability, safety, and more frequent service levels on that already very often congested regional and interregional 101 corridor. After all, we've only been waiting almost 25 years for some of those improvements.

Of course, if the gas tax repeal wins, all of this is going bye-bye, although I see that one those has failed to get on the ballot.