California Rail Chief Resigns. At Least The Consultants Got Somewhere.

California’s high-speed rail project has successfully transported people to a nightclub, a cigar lounge and an escape room. Unfortunately, those were consultants, and the trains weren’t involved.

Chief executive Ian Choudri resigned Wednesday, citing personal and family priorities. His departure follows a state investigation into questionable taxpayer-funded consultant travel, including first-class flights and premium rides. Some trips were made at his request, CalMatters reports. The board had already restricted his contracting authority.

The consulting firms have repaid nearly $1.3 million, staff reported Wednesday. Finally, something on this project has completed a return journey.

That same day, the board approved a contract for three high-speed trains by 2030. California voters originally approved a San Francisco-to-Los Angeles railway to open in 2020. The consultants managed to reach an escape room before passengers could reach either city.

Choudri says he turned a troubled project into a successful program. His staff credits him with cutting contract costs and accelerating contracting; the board appointed finance director Joe Stephenshaw as his replacement Thursday.

This week’s agenda was also supposed to include deciding whether Choudri qualified for a $25,000 performance bonus.

Presumably the escape room had an easier set of clues.