So, they’re throwing money at Silicon Valley tech companies that want to sell speculative and unproven tech because they can’t figure out how to build even a single train?
they can’t figure out how to build even a single train
Links to article about building an entire railway system
Pedantism does not change the fact that the passenger rail system in US is severely underdeveloped when compared to other nations.
So your solution is to shit on any attempts to fix that?
What?
I am criticizing that the project is 10 years behind schedule and that there are very few comparable initiatives to expand passenger rail.
Instead of prioritizing work on proven solutions, funding is going to fringe science fair projects. Elon Musk literally got government permission and funds to dig a subway tunnel for electric cars.
Even if the CAHSR project is completed, it will likely be expected to run as a for-profit enterprise like Amtrak, making ticket prices unaffordable for many commuters.
Elon Musk literally got government permission and funds to dig a subway tunnel for electric cars.
Fair enough, but afaik the California government didn’t give him money for that.
project is 10 years behind schedule
I mean it’s the first system of its kind in the country and it’s being built in a state full of NIMBYs. Many of the delays were caused by lawsuits and environmental review like here, here, here, and here.
making ticket prices unaffordable for many commuters.
The latest estimates from 2019 (page 22) the ticket cost will be 100 dollars from San Francisco to la. Which would put the per km cost at a very competitive 13 cents.
there are very few comparable initiatives to expand passenger rail.
What does that have to do with California?
the California government didn’t give him money for that
Right, but Las Vegas did and still is. It’s more about how so many people in power were duped into believing it was ever a reasonable method of transportation. It would be dishonest to call it anything other than a publicity stunt / tourist attraction for SV tech bros.
I mean it’s the first system of its kind in the country and it’s being built in a state full of NIMBYs
Acquisitions through eminent domain have been used for far more nefarious purposes in the past.
the ticket cost will be 100 dollars from San Francisco to LA
I would be pleasantly surprised if that comes to be reality, though the cost of the project keeps rising and business school drop outs are going to demand costs be recouped through higher ticket prices.
