California High-Speed Rail Authority Executive Resigns After Travel Expense Inquiry
Ian Choudri steps down following an audit of consultant bills, as the project's cost estimates climb to $126 billion for the first phase.
By Samira Khalil ·
Ian Choudri has resigned as the executive director of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
His departure follows a review of the agency's financial practices, specifically an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General. That probe examined approximately $600,000 in travel expenses billed by consultants. The agency noted that these expenses did not correspond to travel by train.
Voters approved Proposition 1A in 2008 to fund the rail system. The measure authorized $9.95 billion in bonds to create a high-speed link between major population centers. The original proposal projected a travel time of less than three hours between San Francisco and Los Angeles. At that time, the estimated cost for the entire system stood at about $45 billion.
The authority now places the cost of the first phase at $126 billion. The segment running from Merced to Bakersfield is expected to cost nearly $35 billion. Construction has focused on a 119-mile stretch in the Central Valley. Current plans call for initial passenger service on that route to begin in 2033. The agency has reduced the scope of the initial build to manage costs.
The state's Legislative Analyst's Office issued a warning this year regarding funding levels. It stated that available money may not cover the completion of the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment. Extensions beyond the Central Valley face a funding gap in the tens of billions of dollars. No clear method exists to close that gap.
Federal officials have also reviewed the authority's performance. In 2025, the Federal Railroad Administration examined compliance with two grants totaling more than $4 billion. The agency moved to terminate that funding. California disputed the findings and filed a lawsuit. The state later dropped the suit. It cited a decision that the current administration was not a reliable partner.
California currently holds a true deficit of $20 billion. Ross Marchand, executive director of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, stated that Choudri's resignation will not fix the high-speed rail project. He noted that leadership changes cannot close a multibillion-dollar gap. Lawmakers must acknowledge the reality of the situation and officially sunset the project.
