Amtrak's Plans For California

This week, California policy-makers and Amtrak officials unveiled a new plan to improve rail service throughout the state. The $10 billion plan, which would include straight service between San Francisco and Los Angeles and more frequent service between Sacramento and San Jose, is receiving strong support from state officials. Although a similar bill was rejected in Congress last year, the new plan is expected to pass, partially thanks to Norm Mineta, former Bay Area congressman and now Secretary of Transportation under the Bush administration. The project, which has already gained widespread support, would focus on already popular routes and existing right-of-ways, ensuring increased use and decreasing environmental concerns. The new Amtrak lines would increase train frequency and, by allowing trains to travel up to 125 mph, decrease transit time drastically. Officials hope that the proposed rail lines will encourage rail travel and help relieve congestion problems.