According to an article in the Desert Sun, CVAG OKs plan to help fund passenger rail, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments ("CVAG") recently approved an agreement with the Riverside County Transportation Commission for a new rail fund that will devote a portion of local transportation funds to expanding passenger rail service.  It will likely take at least a year before the agencies are able to report on possible station locations and schedules, but the long-term plan is to have connections through the valley with Los Angeles.

A prior study proposed stops in three cities:  Indio, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Springs.  The anticipated travel time going from Indio to Los Angeles was a little over three hours if all possible stations between the cities are opened.  The estimated cost for the rail project is $161.7 million.  Support from the California Transportation Commission and Federal Rail Administration will aid in a long-term study to ensure any rail expansion can receive federal funding.

Light rail transportation seems to be a major focus in California.  The bulk of our right of way acquisition work right now involves passenger rail projects.  So the news of more potential light rail coming to the Inland Empire shouldn't come as much of a surprise.