Accepting your statement at face value, that is still faster than driving and more convenient than the existing system which is, well, nothing. Standard rail, w

Accepting your statement at face value, that is still faster than driving and more convenient than the existing system which is, well, nothing. Standard rail, which does not currently exist on that route, would be even slower with the same stops. Los Angeles to Oakland on the Coast Starlight takes 11+ hours. [EDIT: Bakersfield to Oakland on the San Joaquins is about 6 hours. At 90 mph, high speed rail would cut that trip in half.] Further, not every train has to stop at every station; there can be express trains.