“Our revised plan makes high-speed rail better, faster and cheaper,” said chairman Dan. “Drawing on hundreds of public comments as well as the expertise of our technical staff, we were able to refine our thinking and improve the plan enormously. The revised plan will enhance local rail service immediately and, in the long term, cut total project costs by $30 billion [£18.7bn].”
Under the revised 2012 business plan, construction begins this year on the 480km initial operating section, stretching from Merced to the San Fernando Valley. This new plan also improves the safety and efficiency of existing urban rail systems.
"In ten years, Californians will be able to travel through the Central Valley and into the Los Angeles Basin in half the time it takes to drive," said governor Edmund G Brown Jr. "This revised plan is bold, practical and puts California out in front once again."
The revised business plan also improves existing local rail systems in Northern California, Southern California and the Bay Area. These improvements include converting local diesel-powered rail systems to electric power and improving safety through positive train control. The new plan also includes safety and reliability upgrades to existing Amtrak/Metrolink rail corridors between Los Angeles’ Union Station and Anaheim.
Construction of the entire 846km rail system will finish in 2028, with service to begin in 2029. This improved system will cost US$68.4 billion in year-of-expenditure dollars, a US$30 billion reduction over the previous plan.
“The plan is realistic, credible and transparent,” said board member Mike Rossi. “This plan is responsible from a business perspective and is a solid investment for Californians. There is no need for operating subsidies and the system will attract private capital once the operating segment stabilizes ridership in 2022.”
This revised business plan must be approved by the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors, who will meet in San Francisco on April 12.
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