[artplumber]

Since the state is in a recession, any construction would be helpful to lower unemployment etc., even if some of the money will go to feed the bureaucracy. Any funds for anything, including say widening of I5 will likely suffer the same fate.

In the majority of locales with high passenger volumes, the most efficient way to move those folks is a network of trains/buses/etc. Both time and fuel expenses. That's why these systems have been so popular in more population dense areas (including in the US). While "individuality" and choice of time to depart etc are lost, the inefficiencies of auto and airport travel should be obvious. You go to LAX or SFO you're going to lose at least an hour each end checking in, getting lugage etc.

At a minimum if one wants a lowest denominator reason to be for the train how about reasonable gas prices? Think about putting several thousand people a day on a train and out of their cars and airplanes. The demand for distillates will be lower, and therefore the price of gas will be lower. Plus you'll get to have clearer roads, and not waste gas sitting in traffic, less lines in the airport, lower airfares, no $25 a bag check in fee........