California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

$3.5 billion in private funding for design, construction, rolling stock, systems,testing and commissioning, with construction taking up to four years followingcompletion of the environmental review process. Revenues from fares andadvertising are expected to cover the on-going operating costs, includingmaintenance.The proposed service will make the trip nonstop at speeds of up to 125 milesper hour, for a one hour and 40 minute trip between Victorville and Las Vegas.Equipment would be proven European design steel wheel on rail trains, witheach car self-propelled to provide the high power-to-weight ratio needed tofollow the I-15 alignment and climb its relatively steep grades through twodesert mountain passes. Trains would operate as frequently as 20 to 30 minutesduring peak periods, and one to two hour intervals at other times. Ridershipis projected at 5.1 million passenger round-trips in the first year, based on anaverage $50 one-way fare. This ridership level represents 28 percent of theprojected 18.2 million trips between Southern California and Las Vegas. Muchof the route would use property along the I-15 alignment that is owned by thefederal Government and administered by the Bureau of Land Management(BLM). Between Victorville and Barstow, a passenger-exclusive alignment withinexisting railroad rights of way is also being evaluated.MAGNETIC LEVITATIONSouthern California Maglev ProjectThe Southern California Maglev Project’s initial operating segment that is underdevelopment extends 54 miles from West Los Angeles to the Ontario Airport.The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is the projectsponsor. Additional feasibility studies are focusing on other heavily congestedcorridors in the SCAG region.Los Vegas – Anaheim Maglev ProjectThe California – Nevada Super Speed Train Commission was formed in 1988 topromote the development of a 269-mile maglev system connecting Las Vegaswith Anaheim, and has completed several feasibility studies on this project.With Federal funding, Nevada is undertaking environmental studies of thisproposed maglev route.Chapter XI–AmtrakAMTRAK STATE–SUPPORTED SERVICEThe Federal Rail Passenger Service Act authorizes Amtrak to operate intercityrail passenger service beyond its long-distance system services when requestedto do so by a state, group of states, or a regional or local agency. In California,Amtrak operates the Pacific Surfliners, San Joaquins, and the Capitol Corridorand the Department provides operating funding. The Department directlyadministers the Pacific Surfliners and San Joaquins. Since July 1998, the CCJPAhas administered the Capitol Corridor service under an interagency transferagreement with the State.14Executive Summary California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18