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Measure C has worked hard to

deliver on our promise to betterFresno County by leveraging taxdollars, cleaning our air, andimproving our local economy.Now, with high speed raillooking more possible thanever in the Central Valley,Measure C continues todeliver by matching federalfunds in order to builda Heavy maintenanceFacility projected togenerate $110 millionannually for localworkers.

FULL

SPEED AHEAD

airline and train tickets at the sametime. Train travel complements airtravel, taking the burden off airlineson the shorter regional trips that arenot profitable and freeing the airlinesup to increase capacity on long-dis-tance flights that are more profitable.

Furthermore, rail is already among the cleanest and most energy-effi-cient transportation modes available. Air travel between Paris and Londonhas been decreased by approximately 50% since implementation of theEurostar service between the twocities. This rail line is estimated to be90% more energy efficient perpassenger than air travel over thesame distance.

According to a study by the Center

for Clean Air Policy, implementing high-speed rail corridors in theUnited States could result in 6 billionpounds of carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphereannually.

In addition to being more energy efficient than travel by automobile orairplane, high-speed rail is morereliable. In Russia, the Sapsan train isfunctioning in extreme weather withoutdoor temperatures as low as -58degrees Fahrenheit. Travelers wouldno longer have to worry about delaysor cancellations due to inclement weather. Trains can run in nearly any conditions, getting people wherethey need to go on time. In fact, theSiemens Velaro train in Spain arriveson schedule more than 99% of thetime.

Americans are looking for a betterquality of life and rail travel isconsiderably more relaxing than thestress of fighting traffic jams. The

value of knowing exactly what time you will arrive at your destination ispriceless no more extra hours to

accommodate traffic or battling forparking, no more long security linesat airports and extra time for check-in.

In order to build a modern trans-portation infrastructure that will helpkeep this country competitive andincrease individual Americanstransportation choices, we need tobegin these projects now and demon-strate to America how valuable thiscan be for the nation.

The system envisioned in Califor-nia would be true high speed, mean-ing it will be on its own tracks andtravel at speeds up to 220 miles per

hour. Passengers already ride onthese types of systems on routestoday in Spain, Japan, Russia, Chinaand Germany.

The Velaro high-speed train is theperfect fit for California. The Velaro one of the worlds fastest produc-tion trains gets the equivalent of 700 miles a gallon per passenger on afully loaded train. Thats like going 62 miles on the amount of gasoline you could fit in a can of soda. Andbecause the Velaro is electrically powered, it can be made to userenewable sources of energy.

Siemens stands ready to play a rolein helping America realize its ownvision for high-speed rail, enabling itto stay competitive for decades tocome.

Siemens Mobility Division U.S.is a full-service provider of productsand services for the transportationindustry in North America.

FROM PAGE 9

World: United States stuck in slow lane

opened, while the closest nationalpark to Hachinohe reported increasesof 30% in the year immediately following commencement of service.

The communities along the line, as would occur in Fresno, work hard toincorporate high-speed rail into theirfuture development, and these citiescontinue their efforts to stay attractiveto tourists by developing their down-town areas, station squares, busservice to local tourist sights, eventsand local tourist resources.

This is good news for numerousCentral California towns looking atthe possibility of high-speed rail intheir communities. Using the pres-ence of the rail line as the impetus todrive development, Californians canlure tourists to destinations as far as Yosemite National Park or as close asMain Street.

As can be seen from Japans experi-ence with the Shinkansen, effectiveengineering and disaster planning means that infrastructure this impor-

tant never needs to lead to a loss of

service or a loss of life, while bringing myriad benefits to millions of ordi-nary people.

In my experience, the recentdisaster has led to an outpouring of support from Americans individualsand organizations in the form of donations, materials, rebuilding advice and condolences.

The U.S. military has also taken anactive role in rescue and reconstruc-tion with Operation Tomodachi(Friends). The connection Americaand Japan share is recognized as oneof the strongest bilateral relationships

in the world, and the earthquake hasonly reinforced that impression.Personally, I am convinced that the

Japanese people will never forget thekindness shown to them in thesetrying times, and on behalf of theJapanese Consulate in San Francisco,I would like to extend my thanks forthe moral and material support.

FROM PAGE 8

Japan: Tourism grows in connected areas

MYTH: International investment in the systemis bad.

TRUTH: We live in a global economy. Just as you will find significant American investment in other countries, there is significant foreigninvestment here in our own San Joaquin Valley. Rabobank, Ikea and

Shell are Dutch. Union Bank is Japanese. Siemens is German.Schneider Electric is French. Fresh and Easy is British. Grundfos isDanish, to name a few. Its a good thing these companies are here.They are a part of keeping the economy healthy and moving.High-speed rail is no different. In fact, in this case, internationalinvestment will bring better transportation and a great deal of jobs tothe area.

10 SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011 A CUSTOM PUBLICATION OF THE FRESNO BEE