Passenger rail/high-speed rail Rehabilitation

Discussion was with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and Mayor Hicks of Buellton and Mayor Alverez of Guadalupe to discuss passenger rail improvements to address congestion. The primary discussion was about the role of Amtrak and the potential use of Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan program to develop the infrastructure and service to initiate a commuter-tytpe service in this area. However the status of the ARRA high-speed rail grant guidance was discussed in very general terms. (States and Amtrak are eligible so the County would need to work with Caltrans, guidance will be available by June 17, an outreach session for the California corridor will be in Sacramento on May 28)