2 responses to “High Cost Rail – Part 80 Just Askin’”

1. Joe

   September 13, 2012

   Here’s a brilliant letter to the Mercury Times
   mercurynews.com
   Can’t afford rail, don’t need tax
   I have voted three times for Jerry Brown. Because of the state’s fiscal problems, his fall tax measure has had my support. No more. If the state can afford a multibillion-dollar high-speed rail project, it doesn’t need to burden us with an added tax. The cost of building the system is unknown — absolutely unknown. There will be cost overruns. Every inch of the right of way will have to be litigated, bought or acquired by eminent domain. Once built, the line will have to be maintained and operated. The yearly cost is beyond actuarial estimation. Like all public transit, ridership will be subsidized. All will pay, a minority of Californians will benefit. Adding new jobs for thousands is desirable. It is not a question of what we want, but what we can afford. Jerry Brown won’t be getting my vote in November.
   Terry Denevan
   San Jose

2. pat giorni

   September 21, 2012

   Latest………..
   http://www.caltrain.com/Page1817.aspx
   Media Advisory: Caltrain to Announce Details of First ‘Early Investment’ Funding Release
   Media Advisory: Caltrain to Announce Details of First ‘Early Investment’ Funding Release
   By
   September 20, 2012
   Caltrain is hosting a news conference to announce a key funding allocation that will support critical work on an advanced signaling system, one of the corridor modernization projects funded through High Speed Rail’s ‘early investment’ program. The California Transportation Commission is expected to vote on whether to release nearly $40 million for Positive Train Control. The signaling system will provide the foundation for improved operations and safety and the advancement of electrification work later on.
   WHAT: Press Conference to Announce Funding Allocation
   WHO: Opening Remarks by Adrienne Tissier, Joint Powers Board Chair
   Speakers include:
   Tom Nolan, Joint Powers Board Director
   Rep. Jackie Speier
   Asm. Jerry Hill
   Sen. Leland Yee, Phd
   Asm. Fiona Ma
   WHERE: Caltrain Millbrae Station
   WHEN: Sept. 27th at Noon
   ###
   About Caltrain:
   The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board owns and manages Caltrain. The JPB is a partnership among the San Mateo County Transit District, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and the City and County of San Francisco through the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. SamTrans is the managing partner. Caltrain’s contractor, Transit America Services, Inc., operates the 86 weekday trains, as well as weekend service along the rail corridor. Caltrain has experienced 24-months of consecutive ridership growth, reaching an all-time high of more than 50,000 average weekday riders in June 2012. As a result of this dramatic ridership growth, Caltrain will be going to 92-weekday trains on Oct. 1.