CALIFORNIA – House Oversight chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has launched an investigation into federal funding for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), questioning whether state officials misrepresented ridership and financial projections.
According to the state’s latest project update, the estimated cost of the project ranges from $89 billion to $128 billion.
In a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Comer requested a staff briefing and related documents.
Comer notes that in 2008, Californians approved $9.95 billion in bonds for an 800-mile high-speed rail linking Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the Central Valley to coastal cities, with a projected 2020 completion and $33 billion cost.
“To date, not one route is complete and the CHSRA Project is facing financial collapse, but now CHSRA is claiming they will begin service in Central Valley in 2032,” wrote Comer.
Ridership models have significant problems
Comer wrote that the Biden Administration committed roughly $4 billion to the CHSRA Project, including almost $89.65 million in its final days.
However, since the CHSRA Project’s inception, transit experts have warned that the ridership and revenue projections were “inaccurate, misleading and in violation of the laws guiding the project,” wrote Comer.
“Ridership forecasts are critical because if the revenue from passengers is less than projected, there is a greater imperative for operating subsidies,” he says.
Comer cites a 2010 UC Berkeley report questioning ridership models, saying they have “significant problems” that make them unreliable for policy analysis.
Staff brief and related documents requested by September 2
In June, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a report reviewing CHSRA’s management and use of federal funds. In July, Duffy announced termination of about $4 billion in unspent funding. The CHSRA is suing to challenge the termination.
Comer wrote that the Committee has broad oversight to investigate these matters.
It is requesting a staff briefing and related documents by September 2, 2025, to review the allocation of taxpayer funds for the CHSRA Project.
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