College students pledge to ride the High-Speed Rail once construction is finished

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- With the construction of the California High-Speed Rail Project underway in Fresno, an effort is underway to rally support for the project.

High Speed Rail may have its detractors but at Fresno City College among the young people who will actually use the service, they are saying, I will ride.

"This is really inspiring, and this is the generation we've been building this project for and for future generations. These are the folks who are going to benefit, their kids, my grandkids," said Ashley Swearengin, Fresno Mayor.

Swearengin was among those touting the benefits of High-Speed Rail to students at Fresno City College. Students who organized the event said young people are ready to get on board.

"People in my age group they haven't seen a lot of investment in the country. A lot of the stuff that is here was already built before we got here. And we kind of take the freeway systems and the highway systems for granted, we don't second guess the fact that we would use it-- and I think that, culturally, that will become common place once High Speed Rail is here," said Nick Kennedy, Student High Speed Rail Supporter.

Fresno businessman Tom Richard, who is Co-Chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, said it's encouraging to see young people excited about the project.

"Whats really amazed me, they are the ones that always come up and say we will ride it and we know we will pay for it. We'll pay for it, you build it, and I like that."

High-Speed Rail construction is underway in the Fresno area. Mayor Swearengin said, as the $68-billion project stays on budget, and creates jobs, support will grow.

"But you know, there may be some that just literally are not reached until the day the train is in service and they take their first ride, and then it will all make sense to them."

That first ride is expected to be at least five years away.