In case you have just woken up from a coma, or got back from a vacation in  Timbuktu, yesterday saw one of the most historic US presidential elections, in which California, the entire west coast and the nation, said 'adios' to the policies of the past eight years and voted for 'Change' by electing Democrat Barack Obama as the next president.

In addition to yesterday's historic presidential election, there were a number of other key local elections and environmental propositions and measures on the ballot in America's Golden State.

Both the renewable and cleantech energy propositions 7 and 10, narrowly failed to win over voters support. The propositions were heavily criticized by some environmentalists for being poorly written and for threatening smaller private renewable energy companies by only catering to the big energy producers. Either way, adding to the crippling tax burdens on an already beleaguered electorate was not exactly being celebrated.

There was however, one mass transportation proposal that narrowly passed. With a 52 percent majority, proposition 1a, has finally got the state's seal of approval. The bill, after 14 years of planning, will at last bring high speed rail to California linking the major metropolitan areas of the most populace state in the nation.

The $9.9 billion will provide the cash for the first phase of a $45 billion project combining private and government funds and creating 160,000 new construction-related jobs and an estimated 450,000 permanent jobs.

With Obama at the helm in the White House and a majority in both Houses, his vision for 'change' and his version of FDR's 'New Deal,' we can hopefully have the trains operating within 6 years with the entire network completed by 2020.

The 800-mile rail line would link Anaheim, Los Angeles, Fresno and San Francisco. Project planners also want to eventually add Sacramento, San Diego and Oakland.

"The citizens of California have put the 21st century golden spike in the ground," pronounced Quentin Kopp, chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

I personally cannot wait. Now. No more congested airports, no more removing belts and shoes for security, no more dreaded drive down Highway 5 and contributing to the smog of LA.

Instead you'll be able to sit back and relax while travelling up to speeds of 200mph. You'll arrive inspired with plenty of time to see Mickey and his friends. No doubt, the trip will be in an air-conditioned, sound-proofed cabin, with comfortable seats, big windows and plenty of leg room. You'll even be able to enjoy in a nice glass of wine, perhaps take a nap, or catch up on some reading. For the busy business commuters and tech-aholics there will even be wi-fi connections available for use.

The rest of the modern world has enjoyed the benefits of high speed rail for several decades now and it is about time the Golden State caught up with the implementation of slick mass transit, especially if we are serious about cutting back on pollution and wasting millions of hours each year sitting in traffic.

All aboard.