High Speed Rail in CA

[daepp]

So we have a ballot measure we'll be voting on to authorize a bond issuance costing the CA taxpayers $20 Billion to "prime the pump" and get a high speed rail project going between LA and San Fran.

I have never ridden on one of these. But apparently it's expected to cost about what a plane ticket costs, and take more than 2.5 times as long as a plane trip. What's the advantage?

Not to mention the fact that the state cannot afford it and fares are not expected to cover costs. Do any rail (other than freight I guess) make a profit in the US?

[Jim Bremner]

advantage?

let's see we'll pay $20 bill for 1/2 of it.

It won't help American industry due to the fact that it will be imported.

And it will be a negative cash flow like the Amtrack system & Greyhound.

Oh and some RARE sandflea will cause a major delay while they try ti figure out how it's breeding habits will be influenced by the vibrations of said f'ing train. ( But Pelosi's bank account will get larger)


Other than that I'll vote for it!

[Hugh R]

Sounds nice until you ask how will we pay for it. the $20 Billion is a down payment on what is expected to be over $100 Billion. They "think" the cost of the tickets will pay operating costs, so who pays for the infrastructure? CA is already carrying billions in debt and will be in debt for it's operating budget again this year. Tell me why this makes any sense? Other than to feed money to construction companies.

[Jim Richards]

Let the private sector develop it if there's really such a need/market for this project. They can run it as a for-profit business.

[daepp]

I could not agree with all of you more. But fundamentally, why take a train when you can fly there in less time?

[Jim Richards]

I like the Amtrak over flying in the northeast US. The time in/out of airports added to the actual flying time makes the two modes of transportation pretty similar in time. I like being on a train a lot more than I like being in an airplane.

[widgeon13]

Some bunch of green wacko's think it's the right thing to do!

[Jim Richards]

Somebody ask Bill Gates to start a high-speed rail service from Seattle (or Vancouver) to San Diego. Just ask him not to use Vista for the rail system's OS.

[legion]

Will it be a monorail?

[Evans, Marv]

I agree with all of the comments above about the financing, building, cost over runs, etc., etc. But another big objection I have is the the CA legislature will find a way to siphon off half of the bond money and revenue (even though it won't be paying for itself) into the general fund to use for their pet projects and personal agendas. I'm voting no on everything that will cost money to the taxpayers.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Some bunch of green wacko's think it's the right thing to do!

No actually it's the legislature as was said, to siphon money off, and the rail manufacturing and Operating Enginners Union.

[The Gaijin]

Hugh - you are right. It starts as a way to move people more efficiently and winds up as way to build a power base and make money.

The Long Island Railroad and NYC subway are just poorly run feather bedded mess. The Long Island Railroad could pave over the rail sidings and run commuter buses for 1/2 the cost and run twice as often..

Friend bought a house in NJ suburbs. Had a 1928 train schedule with the deed and original paper work.. The commuter rail timetable from 80 odd years ago showed the commute time had not changed!

[MichiganMat]

A full coastal high-speed rail system would be awesome IMO. I would love to catch a train up to Portland or Seattle or down to LA, planes just suck.

That said, CA can barely afford to keep the lights on right now so maybe its not the best idea in the world.

[widgeon13]

aren't the legislature and green wacko's one in the same out there??

[MichiganMat]

Originally Posted by The Gaijin

Hugh - you are right. It starts as a way to move people more efficiently and winds up as way to build a power base and make money.

The Long Island Railroad and NYC subway are just poorly run feather bedded mess. The Long Island Railroad could pave over the rail sidings and run commuter buses for 1/2 the cost and run twice as often..

Friend bought a house in NJ suburbs. Had a 1928 train schedule with the deed and original paper work.. The commuter rail timetable from 80 odd years ago showed the commute time had not changed!

I bet the same could be said of trains in Europe, and I would personally love to have that kind of transport here. Germany comes to mind.

[dd74]

Another pet project for the legislature. No thanks! I'll take a flight.

Heck, if there's a green or fuel issue here, have the state give tax breaks for diesel and hybrid purchases. A diesel can get a person from L.A. to S.F. and back on one tank of fuel.

[HardDrive]

High speed train.....had everyone in CA collectively lost their freaking minds? Seriously. Is there something in the drinking water that fosters a belief in a magic money tree, high on mount Sacramento?

California disgusts me. Knowing how insane state government there actually makes me avoid travel to the state. That and LAX...oh yeah, WHAT ABOUT LAX? Hey, now THERES a novel farking idea. How about sinking $100 billion into fixing that battered piece of garbage? Does it not bother folks in LA that DETROIT has an airport that makes yours look like Somalia? When we go overseas, my wife and I will literally pay hundreds more to avoid having to change planes in LAX.

[mikester]

I already voted no on it - in fact - I voted 'NO' on every measure that had the word 'Bond' in it that wasn't referring to James.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by legion

Will it be a monorail?

excellent!

[Scuba Steve]

Why not just build a high speed rail from LA to Vegas. There's probably a whole lot more demand for that...