Sacramento – Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D- Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani (D- Livingston) voiced their strong support for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed today between the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, Republic of Korea.  The MOU establishes a long-term cooperation in the field of high-speed rail transportation and follows similar MOU’s with Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Japan and China.

Those in attendance at the signing ceremony in the historic Stanford Mansion included California High-Speed Rail Authority Board member Judge Quentin Kopp and Vice Minister Jang-Hyun Choi as well executive representatives from the Korea Railroad Network Authority and the Korea Railroad Research Institute.

The MOU allows the two entities to share publicly available information on the planning, technical standards, procurement methods, funding options, operation and maintenance of high-speed rail transportation systems.

“This MOU outlining cooperation between the High-Speed Rail Authority and the Republic of Korea is further proof California leads the nation when it comes to high-speed rail,” stated Speaker Bass, “California will put our own innovations on other countries’ experience and produce a truly world-class transportation system. We intend to build on California’s momentum to create jobs and economic opportunity around high-speed rail.”

Assemblymember Galgiani agreed, adding, “We have so much we can learn from the development of Korea’s high-speed train system.  In Korea, high-speed train service is available on approximately half of their full line, with trains switching to conventional rail tracks while they continue construction on the rest of their high-speed rail line.  Korea can help show California ways to plan for operating high-speed train service in some segments between San Francisco and Los Angeles, while we continue construction on the rest of our statewide system.”

Korea’s KTX high-speed train opened for service in 2004, and construction continues to expand the system. Additionally, Korea is developing its own version of high-speed train, known as the KTXII.

“This agreement formalizes a strong working relationship with our Korean colleagues that can help shape the state's plans for America's first true high-speed train,” said Authority Board Chairman, Curt Pringle. “Over the past decade, the Authority has built international relationships with Japan, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, China and others which give us access to an unprecedented collection of the world's leading experts in high-speed train planning, construction and operation. This Memorandum of Understanding will enhance our ability to share information and expertise that improves both train systems and assures we are giving Californians the most cost-effective, technologically advanced transportation system possible.”

More information about Korea’s national high-speed railroad is available at Korail’s Web site: http://info.korail.com/2007/eng/eng_index.jsp.

Contact: Robin Adam @ (209) 948-7479