RAIL FARES and RIDERSHIP
In the 2018 HSR Business Plan, the
Authority publishes fare numbers,
but Lipkin issued a caveat, saying,
“We haven’t made decisions yet. We
brought Deutschebahn on as an early
operator to advise us and develop
early service.” He added that the
fare structure “will look somewhat
like an airline system,” as in higher
last- minute fares versus lower early-
bird fares.
In the 2018 plan, the fare from
San Francisco to Gilroy, calculated
in 2017 dollars, is $26; from San
Jose to Gilroy it’s $20; and from
San Francisco, San Jose or Gilroy
to Anaheim it’s $93. This rate will
continue to be adjusted upward over
time. Riders will also be paying bus
and/or parking fees.
HSR plans call for 12 or more
trains per day from San Francisco to
Bakersfield. Imagine that once every
hour, people driving east/west on
cross streets in South County will be
stopped in traffic while trains speed
by.
The Authority’s 2018 plan
estimates a 90 percent chance that
annual ridership on the San Francisco
to Bakersfield line will be 8.3 million
or more, and will generate annual
revenue of $517 million, in 2029
(expected to be its first year in
operation).
WHAT’S SHAKING?
Early this year, the Authority engaged
consultants to conduct geotechnical
seismic surveys. A moving train
vibrates up and down, creating a
surface wave in front of it. In some
cases the supporting soil in the
embankment may not be strong
enough to resist it. According to Randy
Anderson, Engineering Manager with
the HSR Authority, in those cases “we
will potentially need to mitigate,”
which might require excavation and
deeper embankments. “It’s kind of a
new area and it’s very important for
high-speed trains.”
Governor Brown has been a tireless
and powerful advocate of the High-
Speed Rail. With his term of office
nearly at an end, we’re left holding our
breath as the high-speed rail project
becomes a proverbial political football
in upcoming election races.
Learn more at hsr.ca.gov.
“Let’s build Electrified
Caltrain with convenient
schedules and weekend
services. Trains with
positive track control and
early warning in case of
earthquakes. Trains that
are quiet and efficient
and people will want to
ride!”
Swanee Edwards,
Community Activist
A special presentation hosted by the Government Relations Committee (GRC)
took place in June. More than 100 concerned citizens and committee members
gathered at Old City Hall Restaurant in Gilroy to hear updates on the progress
of the California High Speed Rail project. Presenters were various key players
within the High Speed Rail Authority and employees associated with the
Merced to San Jose link. Several of the attendees had specific questions relative
to property values, acquisition of property, compensation and timelines for
completion.
Boris Lipkin, Director
HSRA, Northern California
“I’m optimistic that the Authority has started negotiating with Union Pacific Railroad to add electrified lines from San Jose to Gilroy.
It’s a step in the right direction. I’m not convinced that the State will have the ability to push a high-speed rail through Pacheco Pass.