Passersby on Amtrak trains in Bakersfield aren’t exactly optimistic about California’s high-speed rail initiative, which has seen considerable delays. Many believe the multi-billion dollar endeavor is causing more harm than good.
Steve Laird, a native of Bakersfield who has recently relocated to San Marcos, argues that the project is not only unnecessary but fundamentally flawed.
“The entire concept of high-speed rail is misguided,” he comments. “The land acquisition approach is problematic as well. Land prices in California are extremely high, so I really take issue with that.”
He goes on to express concern over financial mismanagement, saying, “This is a poor use of funds. It’s exorbitantly costly, and I doubt they’ll meet the timeline they’ve set. This project should’ve commenced much earlier. Now they’re collecting enormous amounts of money.”
Laird has a personal stake in the matter. Around 4,000 acres of family farmland, cultivated by his ancestors for generations, is being repurposed for the planned railway.
“They’ve constructed this huge mound for some reason,” he remarks, “I think it’s meant to be an overpass, but honestly, I’m not sure.”
According to Laird, this land was used to grow crops like onions, garlic, and almonds, and it seems unlikely to be passed on to the next generations. “That’s just irresponsible,” he adds. “They ought to scrap the project, refund the taxpayers, and return the land to its rightful owners.”
Christy Brannon, a longtime resident of Bakersfield, shares Laird’s sentiments. She criticizes Governor Gavin Newsom’s fixation on the project, calling it “absurd.”
“I think this is a complete joke,” Brannon exclaims. “The costs are staggering for Californians. What is even happening with this?”
She emphasizes that people work hard for their income, and they don’t want to see it squandered. “Too much time has gone by with nothing to show for it,” she concludes.
Gino Valpredo, 55, another Bakersfield resident who runs Luigi’s Restaurant and Delicatessen, feels that the state should focus on more pressing issues rather than high-speed rail.
“Honestly, no one is eager to travel to Bakersfield or Merced,” Valpredo states, “It doesn’t meet travel needs, and it doesn’t generate profit for the state.”
“The costs are just outrageous,” he adds, suggesting that funds devoted to the rail project could be more effectively spent addressing California’s homelessness issue.
“Nobody feels positive about this,” he remarks. “The only people content are those profiting from it.”
His advice to Newsom? “Just stop and reconsider your approach.”
