The California High-Speed Rail Authority

Established in 1996, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is the state entity responsible for planning, constructing and operating a high-speed train system serving California's major metropolitan areas. The Authority has a nine-member policy board (five appointed by the governor, two appointed by the Senate Rules Committee, and two by the speaker of the Assembly) and a small core staff. All environmental, planning and engineering work is performed by private firms under contract with the Authority.

With the certification of the Statewide Final Program-Level Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the Authority has begun implementation of the 800-mile high-speed train system serving Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Valley, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, Orange County and San Diego. High-speed trains will be capable of maximum speeds of 220 miles per hour with an expected trip time from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 2 hours and 40 minutes. The system is forecast to potentially carry over 100 million passengers per year by 2030.

A $9.95 billion dollar bond measure is on the November 2008 ballot with $9 billion for implementing the high-speed train system and $950 million for improvements to other rail services that connect to the high-speed train service. This bond measure requires a simple majority vote for approval.