"By a margin of 73 percent to 18 percent, Democrats support the project, with 54 percent of independent voters in support and 37 percent opposed. Registered Republicans oppose the project—66 percent to 25 percent," wrote the U.S. High Speed Rail Coalition in a statement about the poll.
"This poll confirms what we've believed for a long-time – that the great majority of Californians want electrified high-speed rail to help them alleviate congestion, avoid high gas prices, and address the climate crisis," said Ray LaHood, former U.S. Transportation Secretary and co-chair of the U.S. High-Speed Rail Coalition.
A breakdown of opinions on HSR from the pollA breakdown of opinions on HSR from the poll
"The following very objective survey confirms what the US High Speed Rail Coalition has been sharing...our high-speed rail project is supported by a strong majority of the state's voters," reiterated Rod Diridon, Sr., Co-Chair of the US High Speed Rail Coalition and the namesake of San Jose's railway station.
"As a resident of Los Angeles, I understand not only the imperative of building California's transformative high-speed rail project, but also that the vast majority of my fellow California Democrats believe it will address our state's growing climate, affordable housing, and mobility challenges," said Alan Minsky, Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America, as quoted in the US High Speed Rail Coalition release. "I urge the Legislature to approve Governor Newsom's $4.2 billion budget request to continue progress on the project."
Two of the founders of the Bay Area's advocacy group dedicated to fare integration and rational schedules talk about a half-decade of fighting for better transit and what's likely to happen in the next five years.