California vs. Texas High-Speed Rail: A Tale of Two Projects

In a recent post on Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom mocked California's plans for a high-speed rail system by comparing it to the proposed Texas Central High-Speed Rail Line. On Instagram, he shared a comparison between the two projects.

The Numbers Don't Add Up

While the initial planned San Francisco-SoCal line is indeed 494 miles compared to the Texas Central Dallas to Houston line, California's projections for job creation and economic benefits are highly speculative. Newsom failed to mention that federal funding for California High-Speed Rail has largely dried up.

• Initial estimated cost: $33 billion (2008)
• Current estimated cost: $128-135 billion
• Potential additional funding needed: $100 billion
• Possible total cost: $350 billion (estimated by Jerry Brown's Governorship)

California's system has also experienced significant delays and construction issues, with little to no progress shown for the current estimate of 15,000 jobs. In contrast, Texas Central High-Speed Rail has yet to break ground.

A Costly Comparison

The cost of California High-Speed Rail has ballooned from an initial $33 billion in 2008 to an estimated $128-135 billion, with the possibility of additional funding needed. In comparison, the Texas Central Dallas to Houston line is estimated at $41.6 billion.

Projected Ridership Numbers

California's projected future ridership is around 31 million per year, down from an initial 38 million per year. Texas Central High-Speed Rail has given a figure of 13 million riders per year, but this number has increased from an original 9 million.

Is California Ahead or Behind?

While California High-Speed Rail may be technically ahead on some aspects of the project compared to Texas Central High-Speed Rail, Newsom's boast overlooks many shortfalls. The system is still plagued by growing costs, declining ridership estimates, and uncertainty about the likely opening dates.

"Despite the Trump Administration’s assaults, both California and Texas are working to build high-speed rail. But only one state has built anything: California." — Governor Gavin Newsom

The Realities of High-Speed Rail

As stated by the Bill Direct article https://californiaglobe.com/fr/gov-newsom-touts-how-advanced-californias-hsr-project-is-over-texas-while-ignoring-many-shortfalls/, the Texas Central High-Speed Rail project is facing significant challenges, including a lack of federal funding and rising costs.

Conclusion

While California's high-speed rail system may have an edge on some aspects of the project, Newsom's boast overlooks many shortfalls. The true cost of the project, projected ridership numbers, and likely opening dates remain uncertain. As stated by Governor Gavin Newsom himself, it is essential to consider all aspects of a project before making claims about its progress.