California's bullet train could cost multiple billions dollars more than expected

[citizensadvocate]

Originally Posted by NyWriterdude

The Northeast corridor involved multiple states. Since California is just one state, politically its easier to get it done in California first. For the Northeast corridor, each state would have to agree to contribute money, and then there's the issue of how construction would disrupt existing rail service, as well as eminent domain in multiple states that might take awhile to play out. You're probably right about it being better to build it from San Diego to Los Angeles in the context of California.

True, though they could have started with New Jersey first between NYC and Philly which already has a pretty busy well established rail corridor. Much of the eminent domain purchase negotiation would be with the companies which own the existing railroad right of way. And no airline competitor fly routes that short.

In California its more likely to be successful if they build the corridors in segments such as the LA, Orange, and San Diego where air travel between these cities are almost nonexisistent and commuters including air travelers often spend up to 3 1/2 hours of ground traveling time. Another segement is between the Bay Area cities of SF, Oakland, SJ and Sacramento, Stockton, and Fresno, whereas traffic between these cities are often heavy and drives are long but airlines routes between Bay Area airports and Sacramento and Fresno are few and super expensive averaging $130+ each way therefore high speed rail in this case would a be much more affordable option as I read the fares would be comparable to that of Amtrak's current routes in California.

This way the rail corridors could attract large amounts of initial customers to gain their reputation allowing them to be able to compete on longer routes in the future including ones served by airlines such as between the Bay Area and LA.

[SportyandMisty]

Originally Posted by NyWriterdude

That's never happened with any train built. Passenger train services in generally popular, even in California (new train services have no problem attracting customers).

It goes from nowhere I'd ever be to nowhere I'd go. And once I got there, I'd need a car anyway.

[SportyandMisty]

Here's the best way to get good decision making: Require CalPERS to pay for it, and any shortfall would be borne by public sector union employees in the form of reduced pensions, where the very first dollar shortfall is taken from the paychecks & pensions of elected representatives.