California’s Bullet Train: What Are We Doing Wrong?

[rangerrebew]

California’s Bullet Train: What Are We Doing Wrong?
Published |Updated
William D. Fletcher
 
During a recent trip to Japan, I had several opportunities to ride its bullet train, the Shinkansen. The rides were smooth, quiet and comfortable, a great way to travel between cities.

The Shinkansen was developed in the 1970s and now includes about 1,800 miles of track connecting major cities in Japan. The Shinkansen travels at 200 miles per hour. The next generation, expected by 2030, will travel even faster. The Shinkansen is part of a well-integrated train system that includes local trains that run on frequent schedules covering most of Japan.
 
If Japan, China and France can have cost-effective high-speed rail systems, why not the U.S.?

China and California started their high-speed rail system about the same time, around 2008. China now has about 26,000 miles of high-speed rail connecting 180 cities. In comparison, California does not have a single mile of useable track.

As a resident of California, I’m aware of the state’s High-Speed Rail project. It’s over budget by billions of dollars, way behind schedule and funding to complete the project may never be available. Why is California in this situation when other countries already have well-developed systems that we could have copied? In 2008, we could have contracted with or joint-ventured with Japanese or French organizations to build a system using their proven technology.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/california-s-bullet-train-what-are-we-doing-wrong/ar-AA1kbjpa?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=7dc124477cbf4e1389d1f2f68bdd7307&ei=67

[rangerrebew]

Maybe if L.A. and San Fransicko were nuked and 80 to 100 other larger cities firebombed destroying the infrastructure, they could start from scratch like Japan.

[cato potatoe]

I liked the high speed train in Sweden, and it’s preferable to driving, but if were located in California, the train would be full of vagrants, loudmouths, or people you generally avoid.

[GtHawk]

The only thing high speed about moonbeam's train boondoggle is it's ability to transfer California taxpayer dollars into the coffers of democrat donors.

[Hoodat]

California’s Bullet Train: What Are We Doing Wrong?

Keep in mind, Democrats aren't in charge of Japan's train system.  If they were, it would fall apart, too.

[SZonian]

The original plan was LA to SF, direct.

Instead, all the grifters and corrupocrats are now getting their slice of the pie with it now going through the Central Valley with dozens of additional stops. Nothing "high speed" about it except for the spending.