TRAC E-Bulletin #08-29
Type: BALLOT INFORMATION
Source: TRAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TRAC Members & Associates--

Prop 1A:

Many of you have inquired as to where TRAC officially stands on the CA High Speed Rail (HSR) initiative. The board has been discussing HSR since April and has taken an in-depth look at all related issues. The TRAC board unanimously supports the concept of HSR and supports Public Private Partnership as the funding method. It is safe to say that TRAC has been one of the most vocal critics of the plan to bring HSR to California as it has developed over the last five years. Those of you that regularly read California Rail News (CRN) understand many of these important issues.

As board members we donšt all agree and the disagreement boils down to whether making this kind of investment in HSR is the right move for California considering the wording of the approved initiative. If everything works out as the backers of Proposition 1A promise in the mid-future years, California will have the first HSR system built in the
United States, with a system equal to the best in Europe or Japan. But, is it the best use for the huge investment required? What might those same dollars accomplish if invested in extending and improving our conventional, existing passenger rail systems? Do we really need 220 mph trains, or would more conventional trains running at 100 or 120 mph with an on-time schedule and reaching many more destinations be a better choice?

As a board, like the organization as a whole, we have widely varying opinions on the underlying issues. The majority of the TRAC board supports the November ballot issue and believes this is best chance for California to get HSR. The opposing beliefs are so strongly held that we agree it would be in best interest of TRAC to remain neutral regarding our position on Proposition 1A. Rather than split the board and the organization irreparably, we would prefer to work together to support the other major rail transportation issues that face this state. Regardless of the outcome of the November ballot measure, be assured that TRAC will continue to present a balanced perspective on all rail issues important to you, our members. We will also continue the record we justifiably earned to be a watch-dog organization, ensuring that the limited public funds available for transportation projects in California continue to be spent wisely.

We encourage our members to vote with their hearts and their minds on this important issue.