Arnold Schwarzenegger
California State Governor

SACRAMENTO -- Today, California Homeland Security Director Matthew Bettenhausen joined with the California Department of Transportation and Metrolink to announce $15 million dollars for improving rail security in the state. The funds come from voter-approved Prop 1B, a measure which Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger strongly advocated to improve infrastructure, security, and public safety.
The Governor and his Office of Homeland Security (OHS), led by director Matthew Bettenhausen, have worked extensively with the State Legislature to increase funding to enhance security for California’s rail systems.

“I am pleased that the rail, port, and transportation security funds from Proposition 1B are going where they are needed to protect public safety and secure our infrastructure investments,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “We must continue our efforts to upgrade security infrastructure to meet the demands of our growing state.”

One billion of the nearly 20 billion dollars approved will be allocated to enhance security and safety in the ports, rail lines and mass transit systems. California voters approved Proposition 1B in November of 2006, which enacted the Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006. Rail transportation is an important mobility tool for California.

Metrolink serves more than 44,000 Californians every day—taking an average of almost 25,000 vehicles off our roads each day. The CalTrans and Amtrak partnership operates and funds three intercity route services serving more than five million people a year.

“The rail systems are essential to Californians and our economy, which is why securing them is a top priority,” said OHS Director Matthew Bettenhausen. “The impact on California’s economy is very real if our rail systems are vulnerable to a terrorist attack. The Governor is a great leader in our efforts to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism or natural disaster.”

“The safety of the traveling public is Caltrans’ number one priority,” said Caltrans Director Will Kempton. “More than five million people per year travel on Amtrak California for business and pleasure. The demand for more train service by the public is proven with the passage of Proposition 1B and record-breaking ridership. Keeping Californian’s on the move is a huge benefit to the State’s economy and easing congestion on our highways.”

Under the 2007/2008 current year budget, Proposition 1B allocates a total of $15 million dollars to four (4) intercity rail services in California.

• Caltrans Div. San Joaquin Corridor $2,263,930
• Caltrans Pacific Surfliner Corridor $1,800,000
• Capitol Corridor JPA $1,900,000
• Metrolink $9,036,070

News conferences with Governor’s Office of Homeland Security Director Bettenhausen and rail and local officials to announce the awards are set for Tuesday in Sacramento and Friday in Glendale as follows:

Tuesday, April 29, 9:30 a.m.
Sacramento Rail Depot, 401 I St., Sacramento 95814

Friday, May 2, 10:30 a.m.
Glendale Metrolink Station, 400 W. Cerritos Ave., Glendale, 91204.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security is charged with administering the Prop 1B rail security funds. It’s part of California’s comprehensive strategy to protect its 37 million residents from man-made or natural disaster. Prop 1B funding will supplement the nearly $171 million coming to California in 2008 from Federal Department of Homeland Security Grants funding.

For further information regarding the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, please visit our website, www.ohs.ca.gov.