California High Speed Rail Details
November 10, 2008The high speed rail is something we’re following closely, not just because of its impact on California real estate, but because a rail system of this speed and magnitude has never been built in the US. We’re excited about how the rail could change the way Californians get around the state and lessen our dependency on the automobile.
According to this article from SF Gate, the high speed rail will:
- Haul 50 million people by 2030
- Generate a $1.1 billion annual surplus by 2030
- Be an 800 mile statewide system
- Have its SF/LA line completed by 2020
- Create $150.5 billion in benefits in its first 40 years
- Cost ~$33 billion to build the SF/LA line with annual operating costs estimated at $1.2 to $1.3 billion. Annual revenues from that line are estimated at $2.4-$2.6 billion.
- Create approximately 160,000 jobs to construct the rail and ~320,000 permanent jobs based around the rail.
- Have approximately 9.1 million passengers boarding at San Francisco’s Transbay Terminal by 2030.
- Travel at speeds up to 125 mph.
Watch all kinds of videos and see more images HERE. The video renderings are pretty amazing and show the train in all kinds of scenarios, including blowing the doors off a CalTrain as it passes by. We imagine CalTrain passengers in a state of absolute panic, spilling coffee and ruffling newspapers, as the bullet train flies by at 125mph.
- Watch the video “San Francisco Bay” to see CalTrain get its doors blown off
Don’t forget, these are just screenshots. Click HERE to watch the videos.
- Watch the “Visual Tour” video for a great overview of the whole system
CalTrain commuters complain of spilled coffee:
"That damn bullet train... ruined my designer shirt!", exclaims a CalTrain commuter.
