Bay Area Transit officials: Take $1B from other projects and infuse it into local leg of high speed rail (San Jose: how much, cost)

[18Montclair]

What idiocy. Time to attend and protest at some of their meetings.

The State itself hasnt even decided if they are going to even issue any part of the $9B bond to even begin the first leg, which wont even be in the Bay Area.

Money from Bay Area transportation could put high speed rail on fast track | news10.net

[sav858]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

What idiocy. Time to attend and protest at some of their meetings.

The State itself hasnt even decided if they are going to even issue any part of the $9B bond to even begin the first leg, which wont even be in the Bay Area.

But they money that want to take and put towards HSR is IN the Bay Area and would improve local transit.

"Bay Area transportation agencies are reportedly in negotiations with each other and the California High Speed Rail Authority. Talks center on moving $1 billion in state bond money to electrify existing tracks between San Francisco and San Jose. Railroad crossings would be eliminated; and high speed rail could be running by 2016."

So even if HSR is never built this money would improve Bay Area transit in the end, how is that a bad thing? Much rather see money spent on something like this than a BILLION dollar per mile boondoggle like the Central Subway.

[NorCal Dude]

Forget the subway and HSR- put the money to bart, caltrans, and ace

[DarkWolf]

I don't see whats the problem with electrifying the CalTrain tracks , Grade separating it , and building a new Terminal under SF... Even if HSR is never built , Cali should at least have a electric regional Railway system which is cheaper to build out then BART and faster.... Once you grade Separate you can get up to 125mph for Electric trains way faster then 65mph BART... 3rd Rail has its limits over Catenary , Catenary can go faster and is cheaper for longer distances....

[jade408]

Besides the fact this is a horrible idea. How about we consider it after consolidating transit agencies in the Bay Area. With the money saved via consolidation could be used for this project and many others.

[HockeyMac18]

Originally Posted by sav858

But they money that want to take and put towards HSR is IN the Bay Area and would improve local transit.

"Bay Area transportation agencies are reportedly in negotiations with each other and the California High Speed Rail Authority. Talks center on moving $1 billion in state bond money to electrify existing tracks between San Francisco and San Jose. Railroad crossings would be eliminated; and high speed rail could be running by 2016."

So even if HSR is never built this money would improve Bay Area transit in the end, how is that a bad thing? Much rather see money spent on something like this than a BILLION dollar per mile boondoggle like the Central Subway.

I agree, it would be a benefit to the Bay Area's peninsula transit infrastructure regardless of the outcome of the entire HSR project.

[cardinal2007]

What is actually surprising and sad is that Bay Area transit officials had NO money set aside for electrification or grade separation for Caltrain. It shows the short sided situation we are in were we can't get $1B to get 52 miles of Caltrain to be upgraded so we can get 15 minute head ways, and baby bullet type schedules for almost all stations on the line. Last time I heard that was going to cost $600M-$900M to upgrade Caltrain, without the new SF terminal, but hell if the MTC was going to give them a dime. The MTC has always treated Caltrain like the hated step child, they would much rather divert ALL the money for the almost $10B worth of BART extensions on the works.

This is a much needed help to Caltrain, especially now that VTA seems intent to killing it, so they can divert the money to BART. Not to mention how much better Caltrain will be once it is grade separated and people stop trying to commit suicide by walking on front of the train.
While it is unfortunate that we needed to get the state to dangle a carrot in front of us to finally upgrade Caltrain, at least it will finally get done.

[evergraystate]

Take $1B from other projects and give it back to the taxpayers.

Imagine the day when you hear a politician say those words.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by jade408

Besides the fact this is a horrible idea. How about we consider it after consolidating transit agencies in the Bay Area. With the money saved via consolidation could be used for this project and many others.

Yes, its a horrific idea.

A Billion dollars? On that?

What happens when the bullet train is canned altogether? That 1 Billion is lost.

Our transportation planning has become entirely too politicized where what's best for our transportation needs has taken a back seat to liberal and conservative idealogical differences.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Yes, its a horrific idea.

A Billion dollars? On that?

What happens when the bullet train is canned altogether? That 1 Billion is lost.

Then you end up with a rail corridor that is electrified and grade seperated that can speed up Caltrain service. How is that money lost? You keep acting like this money would go to waste if HSR isn't built and wouldn't do anything for local transit when that doesn't appear to be the case according to the link you posted.