Transportation

California's Transportation System

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June 7, 2018 - The state’s transportation system helps to move people and goods around and through the state. The aim of this primer is to provide policymakers and the public with key information about this system. The primer begins with a chapter describing transportation governance. The subsequent five chapters consist of visual charts that provide information about the following:

• Driving. Provides information on drivers, vehicles, state highways, and local streets and roads.
• Mass Transportation. Describes modes of transportation that move large numbers of people at once, such as transit and commercial aviation.
• Active Transportation. Provides information on bicycling and walking trips.
• Freight Movement. Discusses the movement of goods through air travel, rail, seaports, and highways and roads.
• Funding. Describes the revenue sources supporting California’s transportation programs and infrastructure.

Review of High-Speed Rail Draft 2018 Business Plan

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April 2, 2018 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Transportation

Review of High-Speed Rail Draft 2016 Business Plan

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March 28, 2016 - Presented to: Assembly Committee on Transportation

Review of High-Speed Rail Draft 2016 Business Plan

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March 17, 2016 - On February 18, 2016, the California High–Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) released a draft of its 2016 business plan, as required by state law. The plan provides updated information on the project and proposes changes to the project’s construction plan. In this report, we (1) provide background information on the planned high–speed rail system, (2) describe the major changes proposed in the draft 2016 business plan to the project, and (3) identify issues for legislative consideration.

Funding for the High-Speed Rail Project

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March 27, 2014 - Presented to: Senate Transportation and Housing Committee

Overview of Transportation Funding

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March 13, 2014 - Presented to Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources,Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation

Oversight of High-Speed Rail Project

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February 26, 2013 - Presented to Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, Hon. Mark DeSaulnier, Chair and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 On Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation, Hon. Jim Beall, Chair

The 2012-13 Budget: Funding Requests for High-Speed Rail

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April 17, 2012 - In April 2012, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) released its most recent business plan, estimating the cost of constructing the first phase of the high-speed train project at $68 billion. However, the HSRA has secured only about $9 billion in voter approved bond funds and $3.5 billion in federal funds. The revised business plan also makes significant changes from prior plans, such as proposing to integrate high-speed rail with other passenger rail systems, constructing the southern portion of the system first, assuming lower construction costs, and using “cap-and-trade” auction revenues if additional federal funds fail to materialize. Consistent with the HSRA's revised business plan, the Governor’s budget plan for 2012-13 requests $5.9 billion to continue the high-speed rail project--$2.6 billion in state bond funds matched with $3.3 billion in federal funds to begin construction in the Central Valley. In addition, about $800 million is requested to make improvements to existing passenger rail services and about $250 million to complete preliminary design work and environmental reviews for various sections of the project. In this brief report, we find that HSRA has not provided sufficient detail and justification to the Legislature regarding its plan to build a high-speed train system. Specifically, funding for the project remains highly speculative and important details have not been sorted out. We recommend the Legislature not approve the Governor’s various budget proposals to provide additional funding for the project. However, we do recommend that some minimal funding be provided to continue planning efforts that are currently underway.

High-Speed Rail Authority: The Draft 2012 Business Plan and Funding Plan

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November 29, 2011 - Presented to: Assembly Transportation Committee

Strategy for Reviewing the Draft 2012 High-Speed Rail Authority Business Plan

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November 15, 2011 - Strategy for Reviewing the Draft 2012 High-Speed Rail Authority Business Plan

Webcast: Mac Taylor Press Conference--High-Speed Rail Is at a Critical Juncture

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May 10, 2011 - Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor, report author Eric Thronson, and section director Farra Bracht speak to reporters about the LAO report "High-Speed Rail Is at a Critical Juncture."

Webcast: High-Speed Rail Is at a Critical Juncture

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May 10, 2011 - In this 5-minute video, analyst Eric Thronson discusses the LAO report "High-Speed Rail Is at a Critical Juncture."

High-Speed Rail Is at a Critical Juncture

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May 10, 2011 - In November 2008, voters approved Proposition 1A, which allows the state to sell $9 billion in general obligation bonds to partially fund the development and construction of the high-speed rail system. In addition, the state has received roughly $3 billion from the federal government for its construction. We describe a number of problems that pose threats to the high-speed rail project’s successful development as envisioned by Proposition 1A and make several recommendations. We recommend that the Legislature direct the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) to renegotiate the terms of the federal funding awarded to the state by the Federal Rail Administration. We also recommend that the Legislature pass legislation this session that shifts the responsibility for the day-to-day and strategic development of the project from HSRA to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

High-Speed Rail Language Issues [Revised]

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June 7, 2010 - Presented to Budget Conference Committee

2010-11 Budget Analysis: High-Speed Rail Authority

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March 3, 2010 - We review the 2010-11 budget request of the High-Speed Rail Authority.