Diarist’s note: The article posted below was originally published at All About Trains on Jul. 31, 2026, it having the title: If I May, A Minute Of Your Time To Bend Your Ear On Sound Fresno Transpo Policy?”
I assume you’re unaware that Fresno’s 2006 half-cent transportation sales tax Measure C extension expires in 2027. Another extension would require a new measure be on this November’s ballot. I believe there is still time to make that happen, but the window of opportunity to achieve that end is fast closing. The question is: If another Measure C is not on November’s ballot and extension doesn’t happen, then what?
Meanwhile, there are those in the city who have ideas of their own. There is movement that seems to be gaining steam regarding a local replacement getting on the ballot in lieu of Measure C failing to. At least, that’s my understanding. Roadway work still needs doing. There’s no denying that fact.
Now, it is helpful to know that so little of dedicated Measure C monies, between 2007 and today, went toward making railway improvements. And, to think, at one time $101 million of the 2006 measure’s funding appropriation was to be used to consolidate Fresno’s two mainlines through the city, the hope among people in Fresno County being that a similar provision in Madera County’s comparable transportation measure would have provided similarly to make possible convergence/divergence of the two lines in that county. To allow both BNSF and Amtrak trains to go between the two lines in south-central Madera County, a connecting track would have been required. As it stands, the right of way of the HSR line in that same general vicinity today courses similarly. On the south end, meanwhile, the two company’s affected lines (in this case BNSF and UP) would have converged/diverged at Calwa.
But here’s the kicker. If certain land located in northwest Fresno that became a housing development had been set aside, the consolidation could have been entirely contained within Fresno County and the $101 million funding approriation would have probably been sufficient to cover the consolidation’s full cost. Needless to say the so-called “consolidation” never materialized. Such gives the appearance that the left hand didn’t know what the right hand was doing.
So, the question is: What happened to that funding?
I ask because, don’t forget, high-speed rail is on its way; HSR trains due to arrive in town in 2032. That seems to be the startup date anyway.
Furthermore, had the county had its act together, that funding could have been redirected and applied toward building an extensive light rail system with good coverage that could have had an arm reach the location of what is proposed or planned to be the site of the downtown high speed rail station.
Artist rendering of the downtown Fresno HSR train stationCalifornia High-Speed Rail Authority via Wikipedia
To the outside interested observer, it would seem the city lacks real vision. It’s like Fresnans can’t see the forest for the trees in that regard. And as a consequence, it’s rinse, repeat, recycle or, in other words, long live the status quo.
What’s going to happen when bullet trains arrive in town, people disembark and their so called “last-mile” connections are limited to taxi, ride hail or ride share, bus, rental car, or heaven forbid, they’re forced to walk or bike? With or without luggage, I just don’t see it.
And, it’s not just that. Assuming there are hordes arriving in and departing from Fresno, getting to and from the HSR train-station complex could become an adventure. And, by that I mean, crowded downtown streets could make getting to and/or leaving from a hassle. This could be compounded by having very limited parking. And it could very well be that what I would term “overflow” parking options are only [to] be found to exist a ways away from. This could present a barrier that a connecting light rail train that directly services said station could overcome.
Some may argue Fresno’s bus rapid transit system should be more than adequate. Question is: How many buses are we talking about here? And, how often would they need to arrive to meet demand? Would they be able to live up to the challenge? Remember the more buses, the more drivers there are that will be needed, unless, of course, the buses are operated autonomously. Something I wouldn’t count on.
I would have at least liked to have seen more Measure C monies devoted to transit. Some obviously were. If I remember correctly, these weighed in at around 14 percent. But, I believe all of that went toward improving the Fresno City, paratransit and rural-based bus transit services.
A bullet train is in the offing. The question is, when it arrives will Fresno be ready for it?
All material copyrighted 2026, Alan Kandel. All Rights Reserved.
We’ll get straight to the point: The financial hardships that Daily Kos is facing this year are tough.
We continue to be paywall-free. We continue to be supported by our readers, not billionaires or corporations. But we need to bring in more revenue. We are leaning on our community more than ever to help make ends meet.