Transit Turmoil in California

Despite the lack of a well-defined transportation policy and financial support from the state, this article relates that rail transit programs are still trying to forge ahead in California. Governor Schwarzenegger’s plans to divert $1.1 billion of state gasoline sales tax revenue from transit to other areas have sent transit agencies scrambling for support. The article gives an overview of a number of projects that, while they are drawing upon capital funds, will still be looking for additional funding sources: the Sacramento Corridor’s light rail extension program; San Francisco Municipal Railway light rail extensions; BART’s Earthquake Safety Program for seismically strengthening stations, elevated guideways, and the Transbay Tube; BART’s Warm Spring extension; Caltrain’s commuter rail program; Amtrak California; the Los Angeles County MTA’s rail expansion program; Orange County’s Metrolink program; and, the San Diego Trolley extensions.