I have at least one confirmation that the games with Santa Paula Branch costs are largely a result of the costs of track work on the line segment from Montalvo to the 118 for a proposed extension roof Metrolink service. Costs to maintain the segments used by F&W may actually less than revenues.

The VCTC's current management has had costs squeezes, folks are unhappy, and so it's time to find something to blame it on. The economy, over promising, no sales tax, and the fact to the highway faction hasn't done as well since Ginger left are causing heartburn, so it's convenient to play trains against buses. Another variation on this theme is that parts would be sold off to developers, but this is an unconfirmed hypothesis.

These rail funds were largely spent to mollify "new urbanist" types in Ventura at the time that decision was made. And, Metrolink still has no budget or plans to extend to the 118. These funds were largely rail and/or transit guideway eligible funds though, and while the might have been more productively spent on the LOSSAN/VC Line, this project isn't the reason for the shortage of highway or transit funds in Ventura County. Nor does it appear that the F&W is the cause of this budget problem.

But, given the nonsense being propogated, it's best to contact your rep and let them know you support th