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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 26/09/2026

We had a packed house last night for Transit Costs Reform Happy Hour LA! We're building a movement for abundant transit we can afford. Thanks to @nickandert.bsky.social for helping make this happen.

Dozens of people listening to Nick Andert speak

Packed room of people listening to Nick Andert speak

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

There's a better way: electrification! Our Electrolink paper shows that overhead electrification on the San Bernardino and Antelope Valley lines would cut travel times by 33% and 20%, respectively, while reducing operating costs and increasing frequency. calelectricrail.org/electrolink-...

Graph comparing driving time, Metrolink time, and electrolink time for the SBL. A trip from San Bernardino to LAUS goes from 106 to 70 min, while a Las Vegas to LA trip via Brightline West and a transfer would be 183 minutes

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

Despite all these drawbacks, there's still a proposal for a hydrogen pilot. Optimistically service would start 2030 - and that ignores the inevitable wait for gap funding that comes with our patchwork funding system. 4+ years wasted on a technology we know is sub-par.

Pilot implementation schedule. Environmental clearance would start this year, with revenue service in 2030

Potential MU Pilot Program Services. 3 routes from LAUS-Burbank airport, LAUS- Van Nuys, and LAUS-Montclair are shown overlaid on the Metrolink system map.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

Hydrogen trains come at a high operating cost. The only configuration with enough capacity for current ridership (8-car) would cost twice as much per mile to operate as the status quo. Metrolink is currently slashing service due to a deficit - higher costs are the last thing we need.

Figure ES-1 O&M Cost (Crew Labor, Fuel, and Vehicle maintenence) per train revenue mile.
LHC (current): $41
ZEMU (4-car) $44-54
ZEMU (5-car) $48-61
ZEMU (8-car) $80-101

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

No configuration of the hydrogen FLIRTS (ZEMUs) has enough capacity for pre-pandemic ridership, and most are too small to fit even current peak San Bernardino Line Ridership. Running these on the SBL is planning for reduced ridership.

Graphs showing average weekday load by train for westbound and eastbound SBL. Lines show interim (current) Metrolink ridership, full recovery (2019) Metrolink ridership, and ridership with Brightline, compared to the capacity of a 4-car FLIRT, 5-car FLIRT, 8-car FLIRT, and 6-car LHC (current locomotive setup). Only the 8 car FLIRT can meet current peak service, while none of the FLIRT options meet pre-pandemic or Brightline service.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

The study examined hydrogen FLIRT multiple units like those in use on the Arrow, or the 10 the state purchased at high cost without a clear end use using dubious methodology. calelectricrail.org/caltrans-hyd...

hydrogen FLIRT train with a bunch of colored squares above it evoking fire

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 22/09/2026

After months of silence and a promise of no new service cuts, Metrolink could cut trains to 106 trains/day as soon as November, with commuter-oriented schedules and no trains to Oceanside. Revealed at an OCTA subcommittee with nothing on this week's board agenda. octa.granicus.com/player/clip/...

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 21/09/2026

We had a great time at Rail Beach Day yesterday! We got to see flooding damage in San Clemente, sand replenishment in Oceanside, and the convergence of 5 different troubled train lines in Oceanside. Came away with new bonds and a commitment to improve the US's 2nd busiest rail corridor.

People sit on the beach with a sign that says Rail Beach Day. Excavator tracks from recently replentished sand are visible in the background

Smiling people holding a "rail beach day" sign stand in front of the Sprinter sign, with a Sprinter diesel multiple unit train visible in the background

People pose on the beach holding a rail beach day sign with some palm trees and high rise apartments visible in the background.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 18/09/2026

We can also electrify Metrolink! We've got some hard work to do in terms of governance reform and reducing capital costs, but it's worth it for the 30% faster trips and better service. calelectricrail.org/electrolink-...

AV Line Electrolink time savings. From designated location to LA Union Station. Saves 13 minutes from Vista Canyon and 18 minutes from Lancaster compared to status quo

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 18/09/2026

We can electrify the ports to Barstow for freight and passenger rail. Let's put this plan into action! calelectricrail.org/the-b-i-g-is...

Map of freight corridor from ports of LA and Long Beach to Bartow via the Barstow International Gateway. The route is split between the publicly owned Alameda corridor, LA-Fullerton which has permission for CAHSR electrification, Fullerton-San bernardino which is shared with Metrolink, and San Bernardino to Barstow which has a very steep grade.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 18/09/2026

In 2024 the US Department of Energy proposed these routes for electrification. No time like the present to get to work making it a reality.

Map of High-potential routes for catenary feasibility studies. Includes line-haul freight, intercity passenger, commuter, and other. Major freight routes include LA-Chicago, WA-Chicago, SLC-Chicago via both Wyoming and Colorado, LA-Houston, Houstin-Chicago via Oklahoma, Chicag-NYC via PA. Commuter routes include Metra, Metrolink, Frontrunner, and NY-area diesel routes

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 15/09/2026

Join us this Saturday in Oceanside for Rail Beach Day! Hit the waves and talk coastal erosion, funding challenges, and electrification. The trains are up and running, so join a ride along and ride the train to the beach! www.socaltransitmonth.org/rail_beach_day

Rail Beach Day 2026
Saturday September 19, 2026
Meet at Oceanside Transit Center at 12 pm

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 10/09/2026

This same segment of track was closed for more than a year in 2022. 4 years later we're no closer to a solution - SB 1098 report intended to drive improvements has no suggestions. We need to build the tunnels, here's what the state should do to make it happen: calelectricrail.org/the-sb-1098-...

Policy Area A: Strategies to increase rail service coordination and reduce disruptions or delays, including those caused by resiliency vulnerabilities, track closures, state of good repair, equipment, and staffing.
Operators and other relevant public agencies should work together to ensure that bus bridges are provided in the event of track closures, and provide excellent communication to riders to be able to plan accordingly.
For Del Mar and San Clemente bypass tunnels, CalSTA should:
Proceed expeditiously on planning and CAHSR-led environmental review
Fund geotechnical investigations to inform preliminary design
Fully fund preliminary design
Adopt global best practices on cross passages spacing contra NFPA 130

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 10/09/2026

Concerned about the constant closures on the LOSSAN corridor? See the damage firsthand and talk solutions at our Rail Beach Day in Oceanside on September 19th (assuming the tracks are open again). www.socaltransitmonth.org/rail_beach_day

Rail Beach Day 2026
Saturday September 19th, 2026
Meet at Oceanside Transit Center at 12 pm

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 09/09/2026

Too often the North American response to escalating transit costs is to aim lower - hydrogen instead of electric trains, low- instead of high-speed rail. We need to fix the root cause of high costs - onerous permitting, weak state capacity, unreliable funding - not settle for less.

Hong Kong may have horrible cost control, but the city is building some of the most complex and highest capacity projects on Earth. In my Toronto Tragedy article, one thing to note is that while metro construction costs in Toronto are high down-scoping a metro project to a light metro or light rail project is only a solution to reduce “sticker shock”. However, they treat both these alternatives as providing equal value in speed, comfort and capacity. This is incorrect, sacrifices have been made in the design that erode the value of the project.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 04/09/2026

Metrolink finally has a budget for 2026-2027... but only for Arrow. The full agency operating budget is still AWOL, more than a month after promised and about 6 months late - because member agencies can't agree on anything. granicus_production_attachments.s3.amazonaws.com/metrolink/85...

The fiscal year FY27 is a unique one for Metrolink. The organization is endeavoring to find ways to provide the desired level of service while achieving a sustainable level of support from our Member Agencies.
This year's attempts at budgeting have seen 8 versions of service levels and 6 budget scenarios. We are hopeful that we will soon settle upon a scenario that will satisfy the requirements of our Member Agencies. While finding an acceptable service plan, it has been necessary to adopt continuing resolutions to fund current operations through the extended development period.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 04/09/2026

The alignment they propose is not too different from what we ended up with and envisions significant right of way intersection with freight railroads. Read the blog post linked in OP for verbatim quotes and links to the original documents.

Map from page 1 of SNCF proposal dated September 14th 2009 showing a HSR alignment along I-99 with stops in Merced, Fresno, Visalia, and Bakersfield

California Corridor – route – detailed description:
The route will provide service to most Californians. It follows from:
San Francisco to San Jose: the Caltrain right-of-way along the San Francisco Peninsula.
Intermediate potential stations will be located in Redwood City or Palo Alto and in Millbrae serving San Francisco International Airport. San Jose to Merced: the Caltrain/Union Pacific Railroad from San Jose to Gilroy. The alignment extends then east through the mountainous Pacheco Pass, generally following State route 152, and then along Henry Miller Road to Chowchilla to connect with the Merced to Bakersfield section. The intermediate station in Gilroy will serve the Monterey Bay area.
Merced to Sacramento: one of the two existing freight rail corridors. Intermediate downtown multi-modal stations are located throughout the Central Valley at Stockton and Merced.
Merced to Bakersfield: the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) through the Central Valley from Merced to Madera and, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad from Madera to Bakersfield through Fresno and Hanford. Intermediate downtown multi-modal stations are located throughout the Central Valley at Fresno and Visalia/Tulare/Hanford. The alignment uses therefore the UPRR corridor trough the urban area of Fresno and requires a new high speed alignment near the city of Hanford.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 04/09/2026

What actually happened? Obama admin forced a Merced-Bakersfield start instead of SNCF's SF-Fresno. Ohio, Florida, and Wisconsin said no to HSR because of the culture war, reducing the case for FRA capacity. Today the Trump admin cancels grants and fires FRA workers for blatantly partisan reasons.

GOLDEN AGE OF RAIL DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP AND SECRETARY DUFFY
CINCINNATI, OH – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is investing $5.3 billion into rail projects across the U.S. that will enhance safety, upgrade critical infrastructure, and purchase new trainsets for Amtrak as the Department ushers in the Golden Age of Rail.

Roughly $2 billion of this grant package is funding Secretary Duffy saved the American people by canceling Gavin Newsom’s disastrous high-speed train to nowhere. His California boondoggle has exploded in projected costs with estimates as high as $231 billion – nearly seven times higher than its initial cost.

In total, the $5.3 billion grant package will:

Close over 30 grade crossings and upgrade over a thousand with new infrastructure and technology
Purchase 43 Made-in-America trainsets to replace Amtrak’s aging fleet in high-demand corridors
Overhaul 41 locomotives currently serving Amtrak’s Midwest and Pacific routes.

“It’s simple: Boondoggles are OUT and safety is IN,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Instead of wasting billions of dollars on a train to nowhere, we are fixing thousands of grade crossings – saving lives and improving communities across America. We’re also making an unprecedented investment in Amtrak because President Trump and I are committed to making passenger rail in America great again. Gavin Newsom should take notes–this is how you properly invest hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 04/09/2026

SNCF called on the FRA to manage the program, and administer grants (an authority created for the first time in 2009) using objective metrics based on business cases. In reality, grantmaking and even whether to invest in rail at all has been heavily politicized.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 04/09/2026

BNSF's refusal to allow international best practice track relocations and perpendicular crossings (left) forced CAHSR to build a number of large, expensive viaducts - until BNSF eventually learned the hard way. It's doubtful much would have changed if SNCF was in charge.

Google Earth image of an Italian HSR-freight interface. The old freight tracks used to meet the HSR ROW at a shallow angle, but the freight track was relocated to meet at a right angle with a simple, short viaduct

Aerial photo of the CAHSR Tule River viaduct. The HSR tracks cross over the freight tracks at a very shallow angle, necessitating a long viaduct.

Aerial photo of a more recent HSR alignment at CP Bowles in the Central Valley. The old BNSF freight tracks would have crossed the HSR alignment at a shallow avenue, but they were relocated to the right side, allowing a simple bridge for the Manning avenue grade separation, which now intersects the old BNSF track alignment.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 04/09/2026

Critics often claim that SNCF told the state to build the train along I-5, but were ignored. In reality, in 2010 SNCF proposed an initial operating segment from San Francisco to Fresno & Merced. CAHSR is laying track on Madera-Hanford in a few months - why keep fixating on the route?

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 04/09/2026

Mistakes were made, but since 2010, CAHSR has made a lot of progress. Environmental review is nearly done. It has consistent annual funding. CAHSR has brought on cost-saving in-house staff - who cut $14B in design costs created by consultants. So why do critics focus on out of date information?

CA High-Speed Rail Authority Prior Form to Function Implementation and State Staff Comparison
Data through June 30, 2023
Graph shows CAHSR going from majority consultant in 2018, when an audit blasted them for this, to majority staff in 2023

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 04/09/2026

You often hear that if only CAHSR had let the French take over, it would be built by now. They're on the team now, but what did SNCF actually say back in 2010? We did a deep dive into the French HSR operator's original proposal to set the record straight. 🧵 calelectricrail.org/the-true-sto...

Selected Co-development team
from June 1 CAHSR CEO report. Teams include SNCF Voyageurs, Jacobs, CDPQ Infra, Systra...
Team capabilities: Global infrastructure investment, high-speed rail development, rail systems integration, passenger rail operations, ridership and revenue strategy, commercial management, public-private partnership strategy

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 01/09/2026

It's #TransitMonth! We're hosting or endorsing several events around the state this month, come through and get involved! 🧵https://www.ca.transitmonth.org/

Transit Month Electric Rail events:
Rail Beach Day September 19th 12 pm, Oceanside
We Love LA: A Celebration of High-Speed Rail. September 19th, 3 pm, San Francisco
Back to the Future: Stevens Creek September 20th, 11 am Cupertino
Transit Cost Reform Happy Hour (SF) September 22nd 5:30 pm, San Francisco
Transit Cost Reform Happy Hour (LA) September 25th, 6 pm, Los Angeles

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 29/08/2026

Next month is #TransitMonth! Join us for a Rail Beach Day in Oceanside on September 19th to hit the beach and learn about the threats and opportunities facing Metrolink, Surfliner, Coaster, and Sprinter - and how you can get involved! www.socaltransitmonth.org/rail_beach_day

Rail Beach Day 2026, Saturday, September 19th, 2026. Meet at Oceanside Transit Center at 12 pm. Image shows a train going past a beach full of people having fun.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 28/08/2026

Rail crew drivers keep the freight system moving, but make near-minimum wage while breathing rail yards' dirty air. Their contract expires Monday 8/31, so come out to Long Beach to support their fight for a fair contract and wages that keep up with inflation! RSVP here: forms.gle/nEEWKNfE9dnv...

Together we drive, together we win! 1077 Members in Los Angeles and Long Beach Call for Solidarity. Support Rail crew drivers bargaining their national contract. Final bannering before the contract expires on 8/31. Show Hallcom the community supports the drivers in their fight for fair wages. Mon Aug. 31 8 am. Scan to RSVP.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 27/08/2026

Learn more about our vision for Sacramento Regional Rail here: calelectricrail.org/valtrain-reg...

Valtrain: A vision for electric regional rail in the Sacramento Valley
Map shows Primary buildout from Davis to Roseville along Capitol Corridor right of way with new stops at West Sacramento, Washington, UC Davis Medical Center, Mace, Exposition, Marconi/Arcade, Watt/McClellan, Elkhorn. Priority expansion goes from Elk Grove to SHF airport using the Fresno subdivision and a disused ROW west of the Sacramento River. Stops include CSU Sac, Fruitridge, Florin, Calvine, and Elk Grove. Long term additional service shows extensions to Stockton via Lodi and Galt, Woodland, Suisun/Fairfield, and Lincoln and Loomis.
Graphic also shows a KISS multiple unit, the same as Caltrain, in green and yellow

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 25/08/2026

This post erroneously blames LAHSA for delaying LinkUS - it was actually HACLA, a different housing authority run by the city of LA, so we have deleted to avoid sharing misinformation. Regardless, Mayor Bass needs to prioritize delivering LinkUS and work to resolve this conflict.

Screenshot of post from Californians for Electric Rail that says
"Conflicts between LAHSA and Metro over a tiny slice of land are set to delay LinkUS for 1 year. LinkUS will transform Metrolink and get LA ready for high-speed rail, but it's over-budget and way behind schedule. Shouldn't Mayor Bass, who sits on both boards, be doing something about this?"
Quote post of a post by The LA Local that says "LA Mayor Bass has skipped more than half of LAHSA board meetings"

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 24/08/2026

CAHSR's eminent domain authority is weaker than Caltrans. Limited funding has prevented CAHSR from acquiring land ahead of time. CAHSR needs continued consistent funding (actively being debated right now!) to proactively acquire land and get ahead of these conflicts in the future.

CHSRA "Superpowers" relative to the full lifecycle of its mandate.
Procurement: Broad authorities. Human Resources/Hiring: Extra political appointees. Funding/Revenue: Continuous appropriation. Environmental and Permitting: None. Third party-agreements: None. Eminent domain: None (less than Caltrans). Railroad Agreements: None. Constructions: None. Regulatory: None. Joint Development: Broad authorities. Fare-setting: Broad authorities.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 24/08/2026

Proud to stand with labor and sign this letter. CA needs to fund transit AND High-Speed Rail - don't pit transit against itself when the oil industry is getting free giveaways. www.politico.com/newsletters/...

HIGH-SPEED HAGGLING: Dozens of unions are getting involved in a last-minute battle in the Legislature over climate dollars.

More than 30 labor, rail and public transit groups signed a Thursday letter — written by the U.S. High Speed Rail Coalition and shared exclusively with POLITICO — urging Newsom and lawmakers to honor an agreement reached last year to set aside $1 billion in annual cap-and-invest revenues for high-speed rail.

The group of signatories, which includes the powerful State Building and Construction Trades Council, also wants lawmakers to maintain funding for public transit and affordable housing programs that advocates worry will dry up after air regulators made changes to cap and invest earlier this year. That program requires polluters like oil refineries to buy permits to offset their emissions, generating revenue in the process for the state’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

Logos from the letterhead of the HSR letter, including State Building And Construction Trades, Iron Workers Local 433, SMART, Riverside and San Bernardino Building Trades Council, CA conference of Carpenters, UAW 4811, Move LA, Transbay Coalition, US HSR, and Seamless Bay area, among others

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 22/08/2026

Community members at BNSF San Bernardino Yard in support of rail crew drivers (UE 1077) who are bargaining for a new contract. These workers keep our freight system moving in dangerous, polluted conditions, but Halcon is offering them below-inflation raises.

About 10 people stand in the sun holding signs saying Apoyamos a UE, Aumentos Justos Ahora, Inland Empire Stands with UE, Together We Drive, Together We win, and UE

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 17/08/2026

As we've predicted since our founding, the hydrogen bubble burst and H2 is now on the decline across California. Transit agencies are left holding the bag for a failed experiment - and the state is still committed to 10 expensive H2 trains with nowhere for them to go. www.latimes.com/environment/...

“I would not recommend going deeply into hydrogen today,” said Derek Toups, deputy planning director of a small transit agency in Santa Cruz, when asked directly on a panel. With its 20 hydrogen buses on the roads, Santa Cruz Metro is committed to the technology, he said, but the funding landscape has changed drastically. “It makes sense to watch and learn before diving in because it is extremely costly.”

California gets most of its hydrogen for transportation from facilities in Las Vegas and Ontario that make it out of natural gas. Just one very small producer in Fresno makes it with electricity.

A slightly larger green hydrogen producer in Vernon will begin serving 10 trucks and buses a day at the end of the month, with plans to ramp up to 100, according to its founder, Vishal Shah.

But most of the production plants originally envisioned under ARCHES “have been canceled, or just indefinitely delayed. Same thing, really,” said Alfredo Arredondo, a lobbyist for the Green Hydrogen Coalition, who noted a lack of customers as the problem.

In California, hydrogen costs four times more per mile than gasoline, even with the latest increases in U.S. fuel prices, said Matthew Hodgkinson, an analyst at S&P Global Energy.

There were about 20 times more EV trucks and buses on the road than hydrogen ones at the end of last year. And there are just four public filling stations and 10 private ones at transit agencies to serve them, according to the California Energy Commission.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 13/08/2026

12 month delay to LinkUS due to construction permit issues - in this case between LA Metro and the Housing Authority of the City of LA. With inflation high, this $60M grant will be worth a lot less next year - increasing the budget. 3rd party permitting reform now! catc.ca.gov/-/media/ctc-...

Link Union Station Phase A Component of the SCORE Program-Main Construction
Contract
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) requests a
12-month time extension for the period of contract award for the Construction (CON) phase of
the Link Union Station Phase A Component of the SCORE Program-Main Construction
Contract project. LA Metro has experienced unexpected delays in awarding the contract for
the CON phase.
The overall project will convert the Los Angeles Union Station to a run-through track station
from a stub-end station to improve throughput capacity for commuter/intercity rail and
accommodate future High-Speed Rail.
Allocated CON phase funds will support main construction contract tasks including utility
relocations, platform modifications, a southwest fire truck access turnaround, and a southeast
fire truck access turnaround. These activities will be conducted as part of the Construction
Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) delivery method and will require work adjacent to active
tracks and platforms owned and operated by LA Metro, Southern California Regional Rail
Authority, and Los Angeles - San Diego - San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency.
Additional time is needed to obtain an unexpected Temporary Construction Easement (TCE)
on the site property, owned by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA).
Despite LA Metro conducting a constructability review of the project site, prior to allocation of
the State Transportation Improvement Program shares, the need for an additional TCE,
specifically for the construction of the sound wall described in the Early Works Package
activities, was not identified by either LA Metro or the HACLA until June 2026 because the final
construction planning and contractor coordination, consistent with CMGC delivery

methodology, revealed additional temporary construction easement requirements and a
greater level of third-party coordination than had been anticipated during the original project
schedule. Obtaining a TCE will require additional negotiations between both entities prior to
awarding the construction contract. LA Metro estimates it will take approximately 12 months to
perform sequential and interdependent activities to resolve contract award delay including
approximately 4 months to complete the appraisal process, approximately 3 months to
negotiate easement terms with HACLA, approximately 2.5 months to obtain HACLA Board
approval, and approximately 2.5 months to incorporate revisions and execute agreements.
Therefore, LA Metro is requesting a 12-month time extension for the period of contract award
for the CON phase from July 31, 2026 to July 31, 2027.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 12/08/2026

CA is moving forward with having SNCF help with HSR, as this article suggests, via P3 financing that will fill most of the project's large funding gap. But if CAHSR loses its $1B/year guarantee, that deal falls apart. hsr.ca.gov/2026/06/24/n...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) has executed a Co Development Agreement (CDA) with Momentum Alliance Partners, a global consortium of high-speed rail, infrastructure and investment firms positioned to help finance and deliver future high-speed rail expansion projects through potential public-private partnership models and long-term infrastructure commercialization opportunities.

Momentum Alliance Partners includes internationally recognized firms specializing in infrastructure investment, rail operations, engineering, systems integration and commercial development, including Plenary Americas, CDPQ Infra, Keolis, SNCF Voyageurs, Jacobs, Sener, SYSTRA, Setec, Arup and Steer

The existential connection between Morocco’s project — now being extended — and California’s is the French national railroad SNCF.
Morocco relied on SNCF’s expertise to build its high-speed line quickly and inexpensively. SNCF also advised California during the early stages of its project and recommended a direct route that would minimize expensive and difficult tunneling. However its advice was ignored, journalist Ralph Vartabedian revealed in a 2022 article for the New York Times. SNCF pulled out in 2011.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 10/08/2026

At the rally for Transit, Affordable Housing, and Clean Water, Senator Blakespear is shouting out the importance of Metrolink, Surfliner, and Coaster finding! (spot the electric Caltrain in the crowd)

senador blakespear speaks in front of a crowd of transit advocates holding cardboard transit vehicles

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 28/07/2026

Regional rail on time and under budget! Wish this was Metrolink. Unrealistic cost estimates are a widespread problem. But unlike California, NY uses multi-year funding agreements to pay for capital projects, encouraging honest budgeting and better oversight - making it easier to stay under budget.

Under past leadership at the M.T.A., it was common for the agency to underestimate construction costs and timelines because it was politically expedient.

“Everybody knew things would never get done in that time frame or that price,” Mr. Wright said of past projects, such as the Long Island Rail Road extension known as East Side Access, which was completed in 2023, after years of delays and ballooning costs. Mr. Lieber, who officially became head of the agency a year earlier, finished the project.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 24/07/2026

We now have a timeline for a budget. Staff warn that this could be delayed if member agencies do not cooperate - requiring another temporary funding extension.

Alternative I
August 7 mail out of special board agenda
Aug 14 special board meeting to transmit budget
Sept 11 Special Board Meeting to adopt FY27 budget
Oct 1 goes into effect

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 17/07/2026

3rd party permitting allows big corporations and tiny cities to hold up publicly approved transit projects and extract pricey concessions. To run more trains and electrify rail, we need to fix this.

THE MYTH OF 3RD PARTY 'TRANSIT' PERMITTING
Transit agencies: I consent
Voters: I consent
PG&E, SoCal Gas, Smallville (population 5k) Dept of Roads: I don't
ISN'T THERE SOMEBODY YOU FORGOT TO ASK?

Image shows the meme with a happy couple about to get intimate with Jesus objecting

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 15/07/2026

The value-engineered and de-scoped Rancho Cucamonga double track, needed for reliable 30 minute service on the San Bernardino Line, will not be complete until 2029 - meaning that no Metrolink line will have the promised 30 minute service by 2028. What are we doing?

381 San
Bernardino
San Bernardino County
Transportation
Authority (SBCTA)
SBD239701 4122001 PASSENGER RAIL
EXISTING: DOUBLE TRACKING OF METROLINK SAN BERNARDINO LINE BETWEEN CP LILAC AND CP RANCHO IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
----------------
REVISED: COMPLETE THE FINAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A 0.7-MILE SEGMENT OF DOUBLE TRACK ON METROLINK SAN BERNARDINO LINE (SAN GABRIEL SUBDIVISION) FROM CP LILAC TO JUST WEST OF SYCAMORE AVENUE, NEAR CITY OF RIALTO IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY.
Completion year: EXISTING: 2025 REVISED: 2029
Cost: EXISTING: $64,971 REVISED: $77,637

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 15/07/2026

Similarly, 4th track in Riverside county essential for more more reliable 91 & IE-OC line service delayed until 2039; Metrolink extension to Hemet delayed til 2050. Meanwhile numerous highway expansions in the area will be complete within 5 years.

111 Riverside RCTC PASSENGER RAIL
EXISTING: 3RD MAIN TRACK FROM RIVERSIDE TO PRADO/COUNTY LINE: ADD A THIRD MAIN TRACK AND SHORT SIDING
SEGMENTS OF A FOURTH TRACK FROM WEST RIVERSIDE (CONTROL POINT ONTARIO) MILE POST (MP) 10.6 TO PRADO DAM MP
29.4 ON BNSF RAILWAY'S (BNSF) SAN BERNARDINO SUBDIVISION THROUGH THE CITIES OF RIVERSIDE AND CORONA,
CALIFORNIA. THE SIDING SEGMENTS WOULD BE LOCATED MAINLY AT THE THREE METROLINK STATION SITES WITHIN THE
PROJECT LIMITS; LA SIERRA (MP 18.50), CORONA NORTH MAIN (MP 24.10), AND CORONA WEST (MP 27.20). INCLUDES BUT NOT
BE LIMITED TO, MAIN AND SECONDARY TRACKWORK, COMMUNICATION/SIGNAL/POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS, AT-
GRADE CROSSINGS, PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, BRIDGES, CULVERTS, CRASH WALLS/PIER PROTECTION, UTILITY RELOCATIONS,
RETAINING WALLS, DRAINAGE CHANNELS, AND STATION RECONFIGURATIONS

REVISED: 3RD/4TH MAIN TRACK FROM RIVERSIDE TO PRADO/COUNTY LINE: ADD A THIRD MAIN TRACK AND SHORT SIDING
SEGMENTS OF A FOURTH TRACK FROM WEST RIVERSIDE (CONTROL POINT ONTARIO) MILE POST (MP) 10.6 TO PRADO DAM MP
29.4 ON BNSF RAILWAY'S (BNSF) SAN BERNARDINO SUBDIVISION THROUGH THE CITIES OF RIVERSIDE AND CORONA,
CALIFORNIA. THE SIDING SEGMENTS WOULD BE LOCATED MAINLY AT THE THREE METROLINK STATION SITES WITHIN THE
PROJECT LIMITS; LA SIERRA (MP 18.50), CORONA NORTH MAIN (MP 24.10), AND CORONA WEST (MP 27.20). INCLUDES BUT NOT
BE LIMITED TO, MAIN AND SECONDARY TRACKWORK, COMMUNICATION/SIGNAL/POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEMS, AT-
GRADE CROSSINGS, PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS, BRIDGES, CULVERTS, CRASH WALLS/PIER PROTECTION, UTILITY RELOCATIONS,
RETAINING WALLS, DRAINAGE CHANNELS, AND STATION RECONFIGURATIONS
EXISTING: 2030
REVISED: 2039
$250,916 NONE SCOPE AND SCHEDULE UPDATE
112 (RCTC) PASSENGER RAIL COMMUTER RAIL CORRIDOR EXTENSION FROM PERRIS TO SAN JACINTO
EXISTING: 2045
REVISED: 2050
EXISTING:
$350,000
REVISED:
$1,000,000
COST INCREASE, SCHEDULE AND COST
UPDATE
113 Riverside LAKE ELSINORE STATE
HIGHWAY EXISTING: WIDEN FROM 2 TO 4 LANES CHANGE FROM 6 LANES…

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 15/07/2026

Brighton to Roxford double track was supposed to be complete in 2025, but now won't be done until 2037. Balboa Double track won't finish until 2039. These SCORE projects needed for 30min service are now 10 years behind. Patchwork funding and patchwork governance are failing Metrolink riders.

Project #: 144 Lead Agency: Los Angeles LOS ANGELES COUNTY
MTA (METRO) LA0G1169 7120010 System: PASSENGER RAIL
Description: BRIGHTON TO ROXFORD DOUBLE TRACK ADDS 11 MILES OF 2ND TRACK BETWEEN BURBANK AND SYLMAR ON METROLINK'S ANTELOPE VALLEY LINE (AVL). PROJECT ELIMINATES CURRENT BOTTLENECK & IMPROVES ON-TIME PERFORMANCE & OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY ON THE AVL. PROJECT IS DESIGNED
TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE POTENTIAL FUTURE HIGH SPEED RAIL ALIGNMENT. PROJECT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN 4 SEGMENTS. SEG. 1, BRIGHTON TO MCKINLEY ST, IS FUNDED THROUGH CONSTRUCTION. SEGMENTS 2, 3, AND 4 ARE NOT FUNDED FOR DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION.
Time to completion: EXISTING: 2031 REVISED: 2037
Project cost: $238,000
Project #145 Lead agency: Los Angeles LOS ANGELES COUNTY
MTA (METRO) LA0G1047 1TL204 System: PASSENGER RAIL Project Description: GRADE SEPARATION AT THE INTERSECTION OF ROSECRANS/MARQUARDT IN THE CITY OF SANTA FE SPRINGS.
Time to completion: EXISTING: 2025
REVISED: 2024
$156,437 NONE COMPLETED
Project Number: 146 Los Angeles
Lead Agency: SOUTHERN CALIF REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY
LA25NOM137 LA25NOM137 System: PASSENGER RAIL
Project Description: BALBOA DESIGNS A SECOND TRACK TO FORM A DOUBLE TRACK SECTION FROM CONTROL POINT BALBOA TO SIERRA HWY ROUGHLY 6336 FT WITH NO IMPACT TO TUNNEL 25. CANYON DESIGNS A SECOND TRACK FROM CONTROL POINT CANYON TO GOLDEN OAK ROAD ROUGHLY 8448 FT AND ADDS A SECOND PLATFORM AT SANTA CLARITA STATION. BRIGHTON TO MCGINLEY DESIGNS A SECOND TRACK TO FORM A DOUBLE TRACK FROM CONTROL POINT BRIGHTON TO MCGINLEY ROUGHLY 15312 FT AND ADDS A SECOND PLATFORM AT BURBANK AIRPORT NORTH AND SUN VALLEY STATIONS.
completion date: 2039 Cost: $20,541 NEW COST NEW PROJECT

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 07/07/2026

OCTA's draft Long Range Transportation Plan wants 2024 Metrolink service levels (<hourly) *in 2050* - ignoring Metrolink's service development plan which calls for hourly OCL service by 2029 and half-hourly by 2037, and the State Rail Plan which expects 15 minutes by 2050. OCTA is a rogue agency.

Table showing transit project list as part of the long range transportation plan
Metrolink has October 2024 service: 58 weekly trains
and Placentia Metrolink station, that's it.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/06/2026

Promising statement on CA high-speed rail from Becerra here. Looking forward to hearing more about how he would cut through high-speed rail bottlenecks as governor - we've got some ideas. 🧵 www.newsweek.com/california-e...

A Becerra campaign spokesperson told Newsweek: "Nearly 80 miles of guideway are complete. The bridges, viaducts, and overpasses are built. The infrastructure is in the ground, and the track is coming. Secretary Becerra is now focused on making sure nothing slows what comes next—cutting through every bottleneck, every broken approval chain, every delay that has held this project back."

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 13/06/2026

OCTA and Metro think that Metrolink is inefficient - but their proposed cuts make efficiency worse. We can get a better value with electrification, all day service, and bringing project delivery in-house- but Metrolink needs money to roll those out. Arbitrary cuts are penny wise and pound foolish.

Example of Crew Efficiency Gains
Under peak-only service, a large share of the crew job is hotel rest and non-revenue trips hauling trains to yards
Under all-day service, most of the crew time is revenue trips.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 11/06/2026

Happy Pride! Electric rail is for everyone. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

trans flag made of Caltrain, Metrolink, and Coaster trains

rainbow flag where the red is Caltrain, orange is a BNSF freight train, yellow is renderings of CAHSR and Brightline West, green is SMART, Metrolink and Coaster, Blue is Surfliner and Capitol Corridor, and Purple is ACE

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 09/06/2026

CEO Johnson says that Inland counties' desire for more service and lower per-unit costs "are in direct opposition". FALSE. Metrolink's 2024 schedule adjustment increased service while decreasing subsidy! Impending service cuts will drive ridership down while making costs go up.

Metrolink Subsidy and On-Time Performance
Metrolink Subsidy declines in 3% 2024 following introduction of all-day schedules.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 09/06/2026

Director Henessey worries about a future where fare revenues decline to zero, increasing costs to the agency. In fact, both ridership and farebox recovery are trending upward, though still below pre-pandemic. But service cuts will reverse these trends and jeopardize Metrolink's financial future.

Metrolink Subsidy and on-time performance. Subsidy was ~58% pre-pandemic, hit 83% in 2020, and is now down to 78%, steadily decreasing since 2024

Metrolink weekday ridership by line
Ridership falls off a cliff in 2020 with COVID19, increases steadily since then except for a dip following the 6 week track closure in San Clemente in 2025, then increases again after that.

180

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 09/06/2026

Several commentators asked OCTA to cancel a $19M hydrogen bus refueling project to fund Metrolink. OCTA staff replied that they can't because it's funded by grants - but that's a lie. (also, why are we rebuilding a 5 year old H2 facility for $19M? almost like it's an unreliable technology.)

Description: Reconstruction Santa Ana Hydrogen Fueling Station
Grant funded: not checked.
Phase: construction
Total: $19,000,000

This budget line item request is for reconstruction of the new hydrogen fueling station at Santa Ana bus base (design/build), including all required facility modifications to accommodate operations and maintenance of hydrogen buses. The reconstructed hydrogen station is intended to support 50 hydrogen powered buses.

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Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 09/06/2026

Jung also says that Metrolink funding cuts aren't happening right now, even though CEO Johnson acknowledged minutes before that OCTA plans to reduce support. The $14.5 M continuing resolution approved yesterday also shortchanges Metrolink's $15.8M request. octa.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=...

Total operating expenses for OC Metrolink Service by Funding Source (Millions)
In FY 19 Metrolink required 29.4M in subsidy, which OCTA provided 100% of. In FY 23 Metrolink required 46M in subsidy, of which OCTA provided only 8.9M. The difference was made up in one-time state or federal funds. Every year subsequently required more subsidy than FY23 - in FY 26 Metrolink required 51.9 M in subsidy, of which OCTA provided 24.9M. IN FY 27 Metrolink requires 54.5M in subsidy, but OCTA proposes to fund only 46M - less than Metrolink has needed for the last three years.

Farebox revenue has grown every year since 2021 but is still below FY19

1120

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 09/06/2026

Johnson says OCTA can't shift funds from highways to Metrolink. In fact, Measure M has a process to change allocations between categories. But OCTA would rather preserve an arbitrary fixed contribution than put in the work to get funding fitting with service goals. youtu.be/rWCWy4KKS2I?...

Section 12 amendments
The authority may amend the Ordinance, including the Plan, to provide for the use of additional federal, state, and local funds, to account for unexpected revenue, or to take into consideration unforseen circumstances. The Authority shall notify the board of supervisors and the city council of each city in the county and provide them with a copy of the proposed amendments, and shall hold a public hearing on proposed amendments prior to adoption, which shall require approval by a vote of not less than two thirds of the authority board of directors. Amendments shall become effective forty five days after adoption...

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