The following information was gathered from resources found at www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov. Click here to view an informational brochure.
The specific benefits of a high speed train sytem are detailed, and can be viewed by clicking here and viewing this PDF.
CA Transportation Future:
Californians who continue to travel by air will also benefit from the high-speed train system. Over the next 20 years, at least three airports in California, including San Diego's Lindberg Field, Los Angeles International, and San Francisco International, are predicting "unacceptable" delays. By diverting some passengers to high-speed trains, the system will reduce the otherwise expected delays in major airports. These reductions in delay will, in turn, reduce aircraft operating costs. At California's nine largest airports; the present value of these benefits is estimated at over $12 billion.
Fossil Fuel:
The high-speed train system can reduce California's dependence on fossil fuels for intercity travel since it will use electric power traction. High-speed trains would eliminate the CO2 emissions that cause global warming by 12.4 billion pounds per year versus highway and air travel. That's equivalent to removing a million vehicles from roads, or 11 billion miles traveled each year.
Travel Times:
Sacramento to Los Angeles: 2 hours and 11 minutes
San Francisco to San Jose: 30 minutes
Los Angeles to Riverside: 33 minutes
Bakersfield to Los Angeles: less than one hour
San Diego to Los Angeles: 1 hour and 18 minutes
Fresno to San Francisco Airport: just over an hour
Natural Disasters:
In the face of a natural disaster, high-speed trains would offer insurance against major disruptions to intercity travel, much as the BART system provided mobility after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Continuity:
The high-speed train system can act as a catalyst to strengthen urban centers, promote more compact development around stations, and even increase local property values. The high-speed train system will provide a means to directly access urban centers, bypassing the congested roadways leading from airports and intercity highway corridors.
Energy:
Electrically propelled, highspeed trains use one-sixth the energy of cars in traffic and one fourth the energy of airplanes.
Key Taxpayer Safeguards:
Once built, California's system will not require an operating subsidy. Operations, maintenance and a portion of the construction costs will be paid for through affordable ticket fares.
CA Economy:
What's more, building and operating the system will strengthen California's economy, resulting in nearly a half-million new, good paying jobs.
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