California’s High Speed Pipe Dream
Posted on September 10, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized |
Don’t you love how the proponents are telling us how much the ticket will cost even though this thing is two decades away from being completed, should the voters be duped into passing this measure. Sure, let’s add another $50 billion in debt that has a payoff price tag of $100 billion to the State’s already current liabilities of $100 billion (which will cost taxpayers $200 billion to pay off).
Personally, I like traveling by train and even if the LA to San Francisco route takes 3 1/2 hours, which is more realistic, I would use it. Having said that, the cost of building this will bankrupt the state, literally, and given the other priorities we have I would prefer the government stay out of the transportation business. If it’s such a great idea, fund it privately through a transit authority similar to the Port Authority, don’t stick it on taxpayers.
A trip from the Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco and Los Angeles Union Station would take about two and a half hours, according to the state High Speed Rail Authority, and cost about $55 one way.
[From California voters could put high-speed rail system on fast track]




