Nearly two decades after California voters approved a nearly $10 billion bond for a high-speed rail network, the project remains a taxpayer-funded black hole—plagued by corruption, delays, and a complete absence of progress. The project, once pitched as an 800-mile system connecting major cities, now struggles to fund a scaled-down 171-mile stretch between Merced and Bakersfield at an estimated cost exceeding $135 billion. Yet, not a single mile of track has been laid.
A Trail of Missed Deadlines and Wasted Funds
Originally slated for completion by 2020, the project has devolved into what critics call a “boondoggle,” hemorrhaging money with nothing to show for it. Federal subsidies have dried up, and state investigators recently uncovered rampant misuse of funds, including first-class flights, luxury car services, and even outings to cigar lounges and escape rooms—all billed to taxpayers.
Scandal Forces Out CEO
The scandal reached a breaking point with the resignation of High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri, who stepped down after an investigation found nearly $600,000 in unapproved travel expenses. The report detailed extravagant outings—gym trips, nightclubs, and personal errands—all under the guise of business travel.
A Future in Jeopardy
With funding expected to run out by 2027 and no private investment in sight, California’s high-speed rail dream appears to be hurtling toward collapse. Lawmakers now face an uncomfortable truth: this project may never break ground, much less turn a profit. As one Republican legislator put it, “Only in California could a project this wasteful find money for consultants’ cigar runs.”
Source: www.americanthinker.com — https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/11/a-california-high-speed-rail-bailout/