Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Fundraising

High-Speed Rail Is One Reason You Should Support Streetsblog’s Independent Journalism

Streetsblogs S.F. editor Roger Rudick and L.A. editor Joe Linton at the San Joaquin River Viaduct.

High-speed rail.

It’s a big topic at Streetsblog. Of our twenty most-read stories across the state this last year, ten of them were about the state’s efforts to build a bullet train from L.A. to the Bay Area

And there’s a reason these stories are so popular. Much of the mainstream media seems to have decided that the California High-Speed Rail program is a bad deal for the state, and some legislators are keen to defund it and use the money for projects closer to their own districts. 

While the consistently anti-high-speed rail L.A. Times ostensibly acts as a sort of government watchdog, their reporters tell only half the story. The nation’s largest infrastructure project is steaming ahead. Thousands of well-paying union construction jobs have been created. The state is making the most of a rare opportunity to change how people move through the state, to offer an effective low-emission alternative to driving or flying.

patron
false
0x0
false

Our coverage of high-speed rail shows Streetsblog’s importance in two ways.

First, as noted above, the Times’s coverage of the California High-Speed Rail Program is full of half-truths and spin designed to twist every announcement into a scandal. It gives casual readers the impression that the project is dead. Much of the rest of the Southern California media apes the Times’s coverage or prints propaganda from petroleum-funded think tanks.

This leaves it to Streetsblog to correct a mountain of misinformation. Melanie Curry closely follows the state legislative and executive offices and the political costs of their feuding. Joe Linton writes about the politics in Southern California and how it impacts what the legislature is doing. Roger Rudick brings deep rail expertise and provides a view from the Bay Area. Heck, I even wrote three stories about high-speed rail in 2021, focusing mostly on the role of misinformation in undermining the project.

Second, it is another demonstration of the Streetsblog mission: to inform readers about why things are happening the way they are. We take that charge seriously, even when it means upsetting a politician who is an important ally on our other key issues such as safe walking and biking.

patron
false
0x0
false

If you value Streetsblog’s coverage of high-speed rail or any other issue, please consider making a donation to support our loud and proud independent coverage.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Wednesday’s Headlines

A larger than usual headlines stack as we careen towards the 4th of July.

July 2, 2025

Inner Richmond Parents Fed Up with SFMTA Watering Down Safety

Mother of a child hit by a driver furious with city excuses for not taking daylighting and other safety measures seriously.

July 2, 2025

Governor Signs Major Changes to CEQA to Cheers from YIMBYs, Jeers from Environmental Groups

Newsom fast tracked changes to CEQA to fast track development and housing. But what do the changes to the law actually do?

July 1, 2025

Santa Monica and West Hollywood Bus Lane/Stop Enforcement Programs Start Today

Don't block the bus! Parking in a bus lane or at a bus stop will result in a $293 ticket.

July 1, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

Gov Signs CEQA Bill to Increase Housing, Higher Fees on Parking and Tolls, Opposition to Road Widenings, ICE

July 1, 2025

Does Constant Driving Really Make Our Country Richer?

A new study reveals that constant driving is making America less productive and prosperous — and getting people on other modes could help right the ship.

June 30, 2025
See all posts