Latest news with #CaliforniaHigh-SpeedRail
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Texas-Oklahoma Rail Line Serving Thousands Could Be Scrapped
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Amtrak has stated that it will have to suspend its Heartland Flyer service, which operates between Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, adjacent to the I-35 corridor, unless it receives additional funding from the state of Texas. Newsweek reached out to Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Transportation via email for comment. Why It Matters According to Amtrak, the Heartland Flyer served over 80,000 customers in the 2024 fiscal year, bringing in $2.2 million in ticket sales, with the Texan economy benefiting "significantly" from the service. The company said that the Heartland Flyer "generates $5.3 million in direct economic benefits and an estimated $23.7 million in overall economic activity." It warned its end would weaken transportation links to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which is due to host several 2026 Soccer World Cup matches. What To Know In a press release published on Thursday, Amtrak said it would have to suspend the Heartland Flyer service "no later than Oct. 1 unless Texas secures its share of funding." Amtrak said earlier this year that the Texas Department of Transportation asked for $7.05 million to support the Heartland Flyer, but this "was not approved in the legislative budget cycle." The Heartland Flyer is a state-supported train, meaning it connects multiple settlements along a route of less than 750 miles, with the project funded by state authorities in Texas and Oklahoma and operated in partnership with both states' transportation departments. A map showing the current Heartland Flyer line from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City. A map showing the current Heartland Flyer line from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City. Amtrak/Google Maps Overall, Amtrak runs 30 state-supported routes across the country, working with 21 agencies from 18 states. Heartland Flyer is also connected to the Texas Eagle service, which runs to Chicago and San Antonio, and the Sunset Limited, which travels between San Antonio, El Paso and Los Angeles. On Wednesday, the Trump administration warned that it could slash federal funding for the currently under-construction California High-Speed Rail line, intended to link Los Angeles and San Francisco. What People Are Saying Amtrak President Roger Harris, in a press release: "Reliable rail service provides a vital transportation option for residents and visitors alike, strengthening regional mobility, economic development, and tourism. "With service that supports Texas' continued economic growth and the region's connectivity, sustaining the Heartland Flyer is essential to maintaining momentum and ensuring long term mobility in the region." Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, in the same press release: "The Heartland Flyer is key to ensuring Fort Worth's continued success as a global destination and is central to the city's tourism industry, business community, and thriving economy. Fort Worth is the busiest Amtrak station in Texas – generating millions in economic impact annually – and as people continue to move to our region, travel reliability, mobility choices, and connectivity will be key to our competitiveness." Gainesville Mayor Tommy Moore, in the press release: "This is more than just trains and tracks. The Heartland Flyer supports nearly $20 million in annual economic activity and almost 30 full-time jobs. It provides a vital transportation option for Texans and Oklahomans alike – and losing it will be a major setback for mobility, our environment, and our economy. By working together, I believe we can find a solution that keeps the Heartland Flyer on track. I'll keep the public informed every step of the way, and I'll keep fighting to make sure this critical service stays in place for years to come." Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, in the press release: "Oklahoma City has long been committed to a comprehensive, connected transportation system, and we have benefited from the Heartland Flyer's contribution to that vision. We recognize that Texas benefits greatly from the visits of our residents via the Flyer, and we also deeply appreciate the amenity and the connection to the entire Amtrak system. The Heartland Flyer is a vital link that supports economic opportunity throughout our region." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether Texan authorities will provide the funding Amtrak says is required to keep the Heartland Flyer operating.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
High-speed rail off the tracks? Federal grants for project may be revoked
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that California's high-speed rail project has, 'no viable path forward.' The project — approved by voters in 2008 — has long been under fire for lengthy delays and billions of dollars over budget. That argument is nothing new. But now, critical federal grants could be revoked. 'California High-Speed Rail. No viable path. We just released a report today, 300 pages, about how bad this project actually is. 15 years, $16 billion, not one high speed track has been laid,' said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a video posted to the social media platform X. Duffy released the bombshell announcement, one that could send plans for California's high speed rail project off the rails. 'We have $4 billion on the line in this project,' the secretary continued in the video. That federal funding is now on the chopping block for California, as DOT said the project has violated terms of the federal grants, such as 'missed deadlines, budget shortfalls and overrepresentation of projected ridership.' This letter from Duffy to California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri is part of a more than 300-page report — The Federal Railroad Administration's Compliance Review Report. 'I agree with everything that's in the letter,' said Ahron Hakimi, executive director of the Kern Council of Governments. 'Less than an hour to downtown L.A. That was very quickly another example of a promise by high-speed rail,' Hakimi added. Ahron Hakimi has been in the transportation industry for nearly four decades. The Kern Council of Governments is a group of city and county electeds that address regional transportation. 'When you bring a brand new rail line over a city that's well over a hundred years [old], it creates many disruptions. Wasco's a great example of that. It cuts off existing streets, it cuts off existing utilities.' In a statement, a spokesperson for the Authority wrote, 'The Authority strongly disagrees with the FRA's conclusions, which are misguided and do not reflect the substantial progress made to deliver high-speed rail in California. We remain firmly committed to completing the nation's first true high-speed rail system connecting the major population centers in the state. While continued federal partnership is important to the project, the majority of our funding has been provided by the state. To that end, the Governor's budget proposal, which is currently before the Legislature, extends at least $1 billion per year in funding for the next 20 years, providing the necessary resources to complete the project's initial operating segment. The Authority will fully address and correct the record in our formal response to the FRA's notice.' High-speed rail, often a topic split along party lines, with an adamant Governor Gavin Newsom leading Democrats. 'We're kind of too far in to abandon this project completely, said Christian Romo, chief of staff to Kern District 5 Supervisor Leticia Perez. Romo said while he and many Democrats, including Perez, agree the project has taken too long and too much, he hopes to reap the once-promised gains. 'We'd like to prioritize the benefits of this. The job growth, the workforce development,' he added. According to the Authority, the project has created more than 15,300 'good paying' construction jobs for residents, with over 97% being filled by Californians, and 70% by Central Valley residents. And, in Kern County, 2,790 good paying construction jobs have been created. But Republicans maintain enough is enough. 'It didn't come, and I don't see it coming, said Kern District 3 Supervisor Jeff Flores. Flores added, 'Not to be pessimistic, but to protect the taxpayer dollar, to protect Kern County's interest.' Bakersfield has already seen physical impacts in anticipation of tracks being laid down. The Bakersfield Homeless Shelter on East Truxtun has been in the process of relocating now for years. 'For many years, my predecessor was unable to do capital improvements to this property because the lingering unknowing of high-speed rail,' said Lauren Skidmore, CEO of The Open Door Network. 'The property continued to get dilapidated, we continued to have infrastructure issues, and now we're at a point where we absolutely need to move this campus,' Skidmore added of the longtime limbo they were in. In 2019, the Authority purchased the property for $6 million. Skidmore said they've been leasing the property for the homeless shelter ever since. Their migration to the new and improved facility is underway, though more costly than anticipated. Just this Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved $1 million in funding for the new shelter. But they've only raised a little more than half the anticipated cost, Skidmore noted. 'I think we would've done things differently had we known high speed rail wasn't coming as quickly as we thought it was.' Another example — the Golden Empire Transit announced in 2022 it would be relocating its facility Golden State Avenue, the planned site of the Bakersfield High Speed Rail Station. That move has not happened yet. Supervisor Flores added, 'The delay and the cost are so overbearing. How do we make it work?' Flores, emphasizing that he's not holding his breath, as potential federal funding cuts would put the state project 'even further behind.' '[We wouldn't be] abandoning actual segments because it hasn't come to fruition,' Flores pointed out, adding that California remains in a budget deficit crisis, as does Kern County. 'I don't think it's going to materialize. I don't think we can afford it,' Flores said, remarking that while he'd love to go to a Dodgers game in 30 minutes, the possibility no longer seems doable. Local leaders aren't skimming over the effectiveness of high-speed rail. In fact, both Flores and Hakimi noted they've utilized the transportation technology internationally, like in South Korea and Europe. 'High speed rail is a great thing,' Hakimi stated. 'If it was delivered as promised, I would be a rider.' Hakimi detailed that most physical impacts thus far of the project have been roughly Wasco north. Current construction is on a 171-mile segment from Merced to Bakersfield, with testing anticipated in 2028. The full high speed rail track aims to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco. In January, temporary track — to transport materials to build the actual track — was laid down in Shafter. The Authority has up to 37 days to respond, after which the grants could be terminated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
California's High Speed Rail Project Could Lose All of Its Federal Funding, New Report Says
California's High Speed Rail Project Could Lose All of Its Federal Funding, New Report Says originally appeared on L.A. Mag. The U.S. Department of Transportation released a report revealing issues with California's high-speed rail project. The project is in default of its federal grant terms, which consist of $4 billion in taxpayer dollars, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The California High-Speed Rail project surfaced in 2008 as a two-phase system that would cover 800 miles, connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco, and later extending north to Sacramento and south to San report outlines several issues with the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA)'s project, including construction delays, mismanagement, unsustainability and high costs. The findings are based on the FRA's investigation, where they visited construction sites, contacted CHSRA officials and oversight entities and reviewed thousands of documents. The administration cited missed deadlines, budget shortfalls and overrepresented ridership projections. According to the report, there has been nearly $7 billion dollars in federal funding put toward the high-speed rail project in the last 15 years, and no track has been laid. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has expressed his concern about the direction of the project."I promised the American people we would be good stewards of their hard-earned tax dollars,' Secretary Duffy said in a statement. 'This report exposes a cold, hard truth: CHSRA has no viable path to complete this project on time or on budget.'Secretary Duffy also warned the CHSRA, "If they can't deliver on their end of the deal, it could soon be time for these funds to flow to other projects that can achieve President Trump's vision of building great, big, beautiful things again.'CHSRA has just 37 days to respond to the report. If they fail to provide a satisfactory response, they could lose all of their federal grants, and the money would be reallocated to other projects. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
25-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
California High-Speed Rail: Where Candidates for Governor Stand
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. California's 2026 gubernatorial election is approaching, and with Gavin Newsom term-limited, many other candidates have already entered the race. However, the winning politician will inherit the largest high-speed rail project in the country and will be faced with serious decisions about how to manage it under their administration. Newsweek has compiled the positions of the top candidates on the California high-speed rail project. Why It Matters The rail project has been overseen by three successive governors. Originally approved by voters in a 2008 ballot initiative under Arnold Schwarzenegger, the track aims to connect California's two biggest cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco, via the Central Valley, linking with several other smaller areas that have historically not benefited from transport infrastructure. Governors Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom have also overseen the project. The Candidates A map of the California High-Speed Rail project, including connections to Brightline West. A map of the California High-Speed Rail project, including connections to Brightline West. California High-Speed Rail Authority Toni Atkins Toni Atkins was the speaker of the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2016 and the majority leader before that. Atkins told Newsweek that she supported the project and would continue with it if elected, saying: "I've stood firm behind high-speed rail year after year because it means good jobs for hardworking families, growth for small businesses, and connection for regions too often left out of the conversation about California's future. "As Governor, I'll keep this project moving—so we build and spread opportunity and progress to every part of our state." In 2021, when some state lawmakers questioned Newsom's $4.2 billion injection for the project, Atkins said she wanted more money for local transit projects in her region and that most Senate Democrats supported moving ahead with funding high-speed rail. Xavier Becerra As California attorney general, Becerra took the Trump administration to court over the president's attempts to remove $1 billion of funding for the project in 2019. Earlier this year, Becerra told Sacramento news station KCRA that health care and rail were costing taxpayers far more than leaders expected, and that changes might have to be made to the project. "We're not going backwards on health care," Becerra said. "And that includes people who work very hard, pay taxes, are living the right way, and are your good neighbors." "But, here's the scrub: we have an obligation to balance our budget. In the state of California. If we can't balance the budget with the resources and revenues we've got, then we've got to make cuts. Where do we make the cuts? That's where the question comes about how we treat that particular program. But I'm not looking to have anyone lose access to health care." Eleni Kounalakis As California's lieutenant governor, Kounalakis works closely with Gavin Newsom and nominally supports his administration's approach to the high-speed rail project. In response to Newsom's revision to the state budget this week, Kounalakis said in a statement: "As we make tough choices, we must stay focused on protecting the progress Californians count on." Newsweek reached out to Kounalakis' campaign via email for more information on her stance. Katie Porter Porter, who represented California in the House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025, is one of the only major Democrats to explicitly oppose the high-speed rail project. She said in an interview on KTLA's Inside California Politics earlier this month that the project exceeded both deadlines and budget. "Increasingly, the evidence is showing that this project is not going to be able to be completed remotely on budget or remotely on time. I think we're already past those benchmarks," Porter said. "That's why I don't think we should BS California voters. They have noticed that we don't have a high-speed rail. And they have noticed we've spent money on it." "If this high-speed rail project can get done, then let's get it done. If it can't get done, then stop." Antonio Villaraigosa The former California State Assembly speaker and Los Angeles mayor told Newsweek that he would assess the project and stop lawmakers from "playing politics" with the issue. Vellaraigosa had previously been made an infrastructure advisor for the state in 2022. "I don't think candidates should play politics with high-speed rail. We need to safeguard local jobs, protect taxpayers, and avoid haphazard decisions that could trigger requirements forcing the state to repay billions in federal funding that we can't afford," Vellaraigosa said. "As governor, I'll make sure this project is transparent, meets deadlines, and sticks to a budget." Chad Bianco As the first major Republican to enter the gubernatorial race, Bianco is one of the rail project's most vocal opposers. The Riverside County sheriff has frequently voiced his issues with the project, posting on social media in March: "Once again, our leaders are failing us. The train to nowhere is a total waste of taxpayer funds. Let's end this madness once and for all." He has also said that "Californians deserve so much better" and that the project's budget management is "unbelievable."
Newsweek
19-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
California High-Speed Rail Plots New Way Forward
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The California High-Speed Rail Authority has said that private investment interest in the state's rail network is on the rise. The announcement comes after President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw federal funding for the project, which is the largest high-speed rail initiative in the United States. Newsweek reached out to the California High-Speed Rail Authority via email for comment. Why It Matters It's taken a lot of time and money for California's high-speed rail project to reach this point. Originally approved by voters in a 2008 ballot initiative, the track aims to connect California's two biggest cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco, via the Central Valley, linking with several other smaller areas that have historically not benefited from transport infrastructure. The project has been delayed several times and required additional federal funding in 2019, prompting Trump to brand it a "waste" and a "green disaster." What To Know California officials said that private sector interest in the project was "continuing to grow" after hosting a forum with industry leaders in January. "This outreach opened the door for meaningful private sector engagement, including interest from private equity firms exploring new financing opportunities," the authority said in a statement. "It marked the first instance of such large-scale industry collaboration, and the Authority has continued to build on that momentum – gathering ongoing insights on how to shape future partnerships with private industry through sustained engagement." The authority also said that California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has fiercely defended the project from Trump's attacks, had proposed a minimum of $1 billion per year of Cap-and-Trade proceeds to back the project. Rendering of a high-speed train as part of the California High-Speed Rail project. Rendering of a high-speed train as part of the California High-Speed Rail project. California High-Speed Rail Authority "This will resolve the number one risk for completion of Merced to Bakersfield – funding uncertainty – and will address the funding gap previously identified by the Authority's Office of the Inspector General," the authority said. In a February report, Inspector General Benjamin M. Belnap said: "Based on our review of the latest project information, the 2030 target date has been pushed back to 2031, in part because the Authority has extended the timeline for completing construction that is currently underway in the Central Valley. "With a smaller remaining schedule envelope and the potential for significant uncertainty and risk during subsequent phases of the project, staying within the 2033 schedule envelope is unlikely." What People Are Saying Ian Choudri, CEO, California High-Speed Rail Authority, in a statement: "After 200 days in this role, I'm proud to report that all five of these initiatives are well into the implementation phase. Notably, our outreach to the private sector has been met with strong and growing interest. "While each of these actions is advancing rapidly, a major priority is to bring private capital into the program by early next year. Now is the time for California to show leadership by seizing this 'once in a project lifetime opportunity' to unlock private capital and build the future of transportation in California." What Happens Next The California High-Speed Rail Authority plans to begin the tracklaying phase in 2025 and construct stations in the Central Valley.
