>Date: Fri, 11 May 2007 11:01:27 -0700
>To: Assemblymember.nava@assembly.ca.gov,
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>From: Martin Engel <martinengel@earthlink.net>
>Subject: The High Speed Train for California
>Cc:
>Bcc:
>X-Attachments:
>
>Honorable Governor Schwarzenegger and Ladies and Gentlemen of the
>Legislature of the State of California:
>
>With all due respect, permit me to make myself absolutely clear.
>
>A study of the history of the California high-speed train reveals
>corruption, greedy self-interest, and financial manipulation. Over
>20 years later, many of the original lobbyists and other actors are
>still heavily involved in the promotion of this project. (See,
>Richard Trainor, The California Bullet Train, Then and Now,
>COUNTERPUNCH, 12.9.03)
>
>The presently projected budget of $40 Billion is a gross
>under-estimation. Given the inflation of most major infrastructure
>development projects, double, even triple that amount is not
>unreasonable. (Bay Bridge, Boston "Big Dig," "Euro-tunnel,"etc.)
>
>All the information provided by the CHSRA and its advocates are
>specious projections, inflated numbers, and fallacious comparisons.
>None stand up to close and data-based analysis. For example, their
>projected claim of 100,000,000 passengers annually would mean
>274,000 daily passengers, each day of the year. Projecting profits
>25 years out is also nonsense.
>
>The 30 mile long British,/French railway tunnel under the English
>Channel is a good comparison since it links London and Paris by
>rail. After ten years of operation, the "Chunnel" is struggling to
>pay off the interest on its debt service. They projected 16 million
>passengers per year and are presently enjoying no more than 7
>million. And, they carry profitable freight. The costs for this
>project quadrupled as construction continued.
>
>The California high-speed rail project is a boondoggle of unmatched
>magnitude making Alaska's recent "bridge to nowhere" presumed costs
>appear trivial.
>
>Rather than the highly touted benefits to our state, this project
>will make California the laughing stock of the United States as well
>as the financial communities of the world. This technology will be
>an anachronism the first day of its construction. California has
>been the heart and soul of the information technology revolution.
>We must become the heart and soul of a green transportation
>revolution as well, no less creative than our silicon world.
>
>Respectfully,
>
>Martin Engel
>
>
>--
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>**********************
>Martin Engel
>1621 Stone Pine Lane
>Menlo Park, CA 94025
>650:323-1670
>martinengel@earthlink.net
>**********************

-- 
**********************
Martin Engel
1621 Stone Pine Lane
Menlo Park, CA 94025
650:323-1670
martinengel@earthlink.net
**********************