California goes full boondoggle:
IF the internet doesn’t change the way people work, reducing both commuting and the demand for business travel, IF the giant project doesn’t mimic almost all similar projects and develop gigantic cost overruns that make a mockery of the initial cost elements, IF resourceful NIMBY groups and their lawyers don’t find too many endangered species in its path or otherwise tie it up in endless litigation, IF self driving cars don’t make rail travel obsolete, IF the fares aren’t so high even with subsidies that passengers shun it, and IF unlike almost all other passenger rail service in the U.S. it doesn’t lose buckets of money, this project could look like a smart move.
IOW, it’s insane.
Maybe we should look at this system’s good points? For example, in just a half dozen years or so, you’ll be able to use the first (and likely only) phase of the system get from Fresno to Merced almost as fast as you can by driving, with the added benefit of the chance to lose your luggage. Surely that’s worth 20 billion dollars?
You would be more likely to lose your luggage on an airplane flight than on a high speed train. At least last time I used one while carrying luggage I could keep an eye on the luggage at all times.
But a high-speed train that only goes from Fresno to Merced wouldn’t even be able to get up to speed before running out of track.