Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
 Rep. Loretta Sanchez is "quite disappointed" by the California bullet train authority's decision to drop the city of Anaheim out of the $68-billion plan. ORANGE COUNTY, CA (Catholic Online) - "Although I was pleased to learn that high-speed rail officials were making necessary revisions to ensure the completion of the CA High Speed Rail Project, something I have strongly advocated for - I was quite disappointed with the authority's recent decision to terminate the high-speed rail line to Anaheim, which is home to a thriving business corridor and to our state's largest tourist attractions," said Sanchez. "Failure to link the high-speed rail system to Orange County negatively impacts the county's residents and our local economy, and is a disappointment for the state of California. To develop our state for the 21st century, we must embrace a transportation system that allows our commerce to run." The plan that was issued last week proposes that high-speed trains would only go as far south as Union station in L.A. Passengers who wished to go to Anaheim could do so on already-existing Metrolink or Amtrak trains. According to Dan Richard, chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, dropping Anaheim would save $6 billion and would only cut roughly 10 minutes from the travel time on existing Metrolink rail services between Anaheim and Union Station. However, critics are saying the decision not only adds 10 minutes to the travel time, but also forces future passengers to transfer trains at Union Station, adding much more than 10 minutes. "With the development of the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), Orange County is well positioned to welcome high-speed rail," Sanchez added. "Blending Metrolink and Amtrak lines from Los Angeles to Anaheim will take away a fundamental opportunity to boost Southern California's economy. As the High-Speed Rail Authority moves forward into the next phase of the project, I hope they will take these factors into consideration, and I also hope they honor the mandates put forward by the California State Legislature and continue with the original plan of bringing high-speed rail to Orange County." © 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM. - - - Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013 General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him. Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance. |
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