Meeting Report: California High Speed Rail Authority

April 13, 2004, Los Angeles MTA Building

Reported by Jim Clifton

On April 13 the evening TV News reported that "a new train has arrived in Los Angeles." Don't believe everything you see or hear. The train is not new, and it won't arrive for years - if then. What did arrive was a public hearing on the California High Speed Rail Authority. After an "open house" with many displays, charts, graphs, and people to answer questions, the meeting moved to the MTA board room. Several RailPAC members were present. While none of us spoke to the board, I'm sure most filled in opinion sheets.

The meeting started with a report on the California High Speed Rail Authority: its purpose, progress, cost (highest in U.S. history) and especially the Environmental Impact Report/Statement, which was recently released. This report was often quoted, though even the board members seemed dubious about some of its projections.

The meeting was then turned over to speakers from the floor. Most of the speakers represented various cities in Southern California. The main topic was the alternate routes between Bakersfield and Los Angeles (Valencia and Palmdale). The first speaker was an assistant to the Mayor of Los Angeles, who read a letter from Mayor Hahn. He praised the committee, citing the need for high speed rail. He also endorsed the Palmdale route, since the Antelope Valley is the fastest growing area of California. Also, it would provide access to Palmdale Airport and to relieve overcrowded Southern California airports. The City of Palmdale brought several speakers to promote their cause, including an expert on earthquake faults. He had a very thick accent, and explained (I think) how the Palmdale route was safer.

It is always interesting to hear politicians speak, if you can read between the lines, since they are always "looking out for number one." No one mentioned any other alternative routes, except indirectly. Fullerton complained that the UP right of way selected south of Los Angeles was bad, since it did not go through their city, the "most important city in Orange County." The funniest, perhaps, was Los Angeles. Beneath all the flowery language it was clear that their primary interest was fast access to Palmdale Airport.

My own opinion concerns the old Matrix System, developed by the late RailPAC Director, Adrian Herzog, and which most politicians ignore. It is not just which end point provides the best "hub" for drawing passengers, but which of the intermediate stops can best be used as "secondary hubs" to draw passengers from surrounding areas and by connections.


RailPAC Contacts Publications Issues Meeting Reports 2004 Reports 2004-11 Monterey 2004-11 San Joaquin 2004-09 Coast Rail 2004-09-15 Capitol 2004-09 San Joaquin 2004-08 Coast Rail 2004-07 San Joaquin 2004-06 TAMC 2004-04-26 Coast Rail 2004-04-21 Capitol 2004-04-13 LOSSAN 2004-04-13 CAHSRA 2004-03-23 Fresno Station 2004-03-12 San Joaquin 2004-02-18 Capitol 2004-02-02 Monterey 2004-01-09 San Joaquin 2004-01-07 LOSSAN Membership Links	Meeting Report: California High Speed Rail Authority April 13, 2004, Los Angeles MTA Building Reported by Jim Clifton On April 13 the evening TV News reported that "a new train has arrived in Los Angeles." Don't believe everything you see or hear. The train is not new, and it won't arrive for years - if then. What did arrive was a public hearing on the California High Speed Rail Authority. After an "open house" with many displays, charts, graphs, and people to answer questions, the meeting moved to the MTA board room. Several RailPAC members were present. While none of us spoke to the board, I'm sure most filled in opinion sheets. The meeting started with a report on the California High Speed Rail Authority: its purpose, progress, cost (highest in U.S. history) and especially the Environmental Impact Report/Statement, which was recently released. This report was often quoted, though even the board members seemed dubious about some of its projections. The meeting was then turned over to speakers from the floor. Most of the speakers represented various cities in Southern California. The main topic was the alternate routes between Bakersfield and Los Angeles (Valencia and Palmdale). The first speaker was an assistant to the Mayor of Los Angeles, who read a letter from Mayor Hahn. He praised the committee, citing the need for high speed rail. He also endorsed the Palmdale route, since the Antelope Valley is the fastest growing area of California. Also, it would provide access to Palmdale Airport and to relieve overcrowded Southern California airports. The City of Palmdale brought several speakers to promote their cause, including an expert on earthquake faults. He had a very thick accent, and explained (I think) how the Palmdale route was safer. It is always interesting to hear politicians speak, if you can read between the lines, since they are always "looking out for number one." No one mentioned any other alternative routes, except indirectly. Fullerton complained that the UP right of way selected south of Los Angeles was bad, since it did not go through their city, the "most important city in Orange County." The funniest, perhaps, was Los Angeles. Beneath all the flowery language it was clear that their primary interest was fast access to Palmdale Airport. My own opinion concerns the old Matrix System, developed by the late RailPAC Director, Adrian Herzog, and which most politicians ignore. It is not just which end point provides the best "hub" for drawing passengers, but which of the intermediate stops can best be used as "secondary hubs" to draw passengers from surrounding areas and by connections.
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