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2h ago

California Bullet Train Plan Narrows to Three Phases With Central Valley Opening in 2032

State leaders seek $1 billion per year from cap‑and‑trade to replace withdrawn federal funds.

An aerial image shows construction workers building the Hanford Viaduct over Highway 198 and past agricultural fields as part of the California High Speed Rail (CAHSR) transit project in Hanford, California, on February 12, 2025.
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Overview

  • The High‑Speed Rail Authority’s supplemental plan details three build paths now under legislative review.
  • The approved Merced–Bakersfield starter line spans 171 miles, is priced at $36.75 billion, and is scheduled to begin service on January 1, 2032, with passenger revenue projections below annual operating costs.
  • A proposed extension to Gilroy carries a $54.4 billion estimate, targets early 2038 for operations, and would rely on regional links for service to San Francisco and Sacramento.
  • The most expansive scenario to Palmdale/Los Angeles is pegged at about $87.1 billion, projects 12.5–17.4 million annual riders with $1.1–$1.6 billion in revenue, and contemplates a Brightline West connection pending approvals.
  • After Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revoked $4 billion in federal grants in July, state leaders urged a $1 billion‑per‑year cap‑and‑trade commitment, pursued litigation to restore funds, and kept construction moving on roughly 119 Central Valley miles.