The Legislature finds and declares that maintaining a railroad service through central California will provide economic benefits and do all of the following:
(a) Ensure continuing short-line freight railroad service between Kern County and Merced County.
(b) Enable opportunities for the improvement of short-line rail service, including passenger service connecting to high-speed rail stations, extending from Kern County to the Port of Oakland.
(c) Reduce reliance on motor vehicles and encourage the use of rail service as an alternative transportation means.
(d) Reduce traffic congestion on and deterioration of state and federal highway systems and local roads in central California.
(e) Provide convenient and attractive short-line transportation service for shippers and receivers through central California.
(Added by Stats. 2011, Ch. 234, Sec. 1. (SB 325) Effective January 1, 2012.)