On July 6, the California State Senate passed a budget measure in favor of high-speed rail. That vote, in addition to similar action by the Assembly earlier in the week, authorizes the country’s most populous state to provide $2.7 billion in funds that DOT will match with $3.3 billion—a total of $6 billion that will go to funding the initial, 130-mile high-speed segment in the Central Valley region.

This positive news came a week before experts from around the world gathered in Philadelphia for the UIC 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail, being held in the U.S. for the first time.

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood termed the vote to move forward with high-speed rail “a big win for the people of California, and I congratulate the legislature on taking action today to strengthen and grow the California economy.” High-speed rail, he noted, “will ultimately deliver fast, efficient, reliable service between San Francisco Bay and the Los Angeles Basin in less than three hours. Californians have always embraced bold visions and delivered public projects that chart the way for the rest of the nation; today’s vote continues that tradition of leadership.”

California Gov. Jerry Brown lauded the vote. “In 2008, California voters decided to create jobs and modernize our state’s rail transportation system with a major investment in high-speed rail and key local projects in Northern and Southern California. The legislature took bold action today that gets Californians back to work and puts California out in front once again,” he said.

“The travel needs of Californians and all Americans—today and in the future—require a balanced transportation system that will enable Americans to choose the travel option that works best for their travel needs,” said APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy. “These investments will make the entire transportation system—air, road, and rail—work better as an interconnected system.”

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