# California's high-speed rail paid for tiki bars and escape rooms > Consultants billed the state for gyms, nightclubs, and premium flights while the $231 billion project faces a cash crisis. - Title: California's high-speed rail paid for tiki bars and escape… - Summary: Consultants billed the state for gyms, nightclubs, and premium flights while the $231 billion project faces a cash crisis. California's high-speed rail… - Keywords: california high-speed rail, audit, consultant expenses, gavin newsom, ian choudri, california high-speed rail authority, inspector general, travel reimbursement, sacramento, merced, bakersfield, news - Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/15/us-news/california-high-speed-rail-improperly-paid-for-consultants-travel-audit - Published: 2026-09-15T22:34:46+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: california high-speed rail, audit, consultant expenses, gavin newsom, ian choudri, california high-speed rail authority, inspector general, travel reimbursement, sacramento, merced, bakersfield, news ## Consultants billed for tiki bars California's high-speed rail paid over $680,000 in dubious travel expenses to consultants, including rideshare trips to gyms, nightclubs, and an escape room. ## Little explanation for travel needs An inspector general audit found $2 million in travel payments to four consulting firms. Most expenses had little or no justification for why consultants needed to travel. > We often found little or no explanation of the need for consultants to travel ## Project running out of money The rail project faces a critical cash bottleneck and could run out of funds by the end of 2027. The estimated cost has ballooned to $231 billion with completion delayed until 2039. ## Sloppy approval process revealed The rail authority approved expenses assuming executives requested the travel, without any explanation of need or cost consideration. About 60% of expenses had no advance approval. ## Uber rides to Planet Fitness One consultant was repeatedly reimbursed for premium Uber rides to Planet Fitness gyms in Sacramento. The audit also found rides to a tiki bar, nightclub, and various restaurants. ## Out-of-state sushi and cigars Consultants expensed trips to a Denver sushi restaurant and a Washington, D.C. cigar lounge. These trips clearly appeared to be for personal enjoyment rather than state benefit. > These trips clearly appear to be for personal enjoyment rather than for the benefit of the State ## Escape room on the state's dime Premium and first-class flights were taken without justification. The rail authority also paid over $118,000 for international travel despite contractual bans. ## Republicans demand accountability GOP leaders blasted the findings as evidence the project should be shut down. Assembly GOP Leader Alexandra Macedo said Californians shouldn't subsidize consultant lifestyles. > Californians are already paying some of the highest costs in the country ## Rail authority promises reforms The authority said it will strengthen internal controls, implement more rigorous documentation requirements, and recover any improper costs identified in the audit. ## Still no track laid down Workers broke ground in 2015, but only this year did the project enter the track-laying phase. About 119 miles are under construction with completion now targeted for 2032. ## Key takeaway California's high-speed rail project paid $680,000 in questionable consultant expenses, including trips to gyms and bars, while facing potential bankruptcy by 2027.