Here is an email I have sent Governor Brown and others:—

CHSRA should remember Bourbonnais 1999, before the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01. Amtrak on 79 mph track (like Caltrain) hit a heavy truck at a grade crossing, derailed two locomotives and 11 of 14 cars, killed 11 passengers, and injured 128. Grade crossings don’t belong on tracks with fast passenger trains, let alone higher speed HSR trains!—

End an initial phase of HSR to the Bay Area at San Jose, with seamless transfers there to Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, VTA rail, and BART. Squander no more HSR bond money on Caltrain electrification and extension.—

2008 Prop 1A bonds were for “Safe, Reliable” HSR. Blended rail as proposed is NEITHER SAFE NOR RELIABLE.—

Future HSR should consider following Amtrak’s East Bay route from San Jose via Santa Clara and Mulford to Oakland, and on to Sacramento. In Oakland a new transfer station at the BART overhead is six minutes from Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco with four minute or less headways.—

I have no problem with money already spent to improve Caltrain grade crossing safety. Costly Caltrain electrification and extension, though, should not come from Prop 1A funds.