4 ms·
One of the problems is that the corridor in question is underserved in passenger rail right now. The only way to get between the two cities right now involves t
by Sanddancer 10y ago
One of the problems is that the corridor in question is underserved in passenger rail right now. The only way to get between the two cities right now involves taking a train and a bus or two, because the rail company that owns the trackage between LA and Bakersfield doesn't want passenger trains running on it, and the rail company that owns the track between Ventura and San Jose would love to see passenger trains on that section of track halted as well. With such a hostile environment, it's difficult to build the interconnections that are needed for a modern rail system. Opening the Tehachapi Loop to passenger rail would be an alternative to a full passenger buildout, but you're never going to see BNSF agree to it.
- toomuchtodo 10y agoEminent Domain. Nationalize freight rail and lease it back at a reasonable rate.
- DrScump 10y agodoesn't want passenger trains running on it I think "can prioritize freight over passenger rail when schedules conflict" is a fairer description.
- trome 10y agoFreight is easy, a few hour delay while you repair some trackage, move another 100 car train, etc. is far from the end of the world. Comparatively, getting BNSF or UP to switch gears and be timely for passenger rail service is very expensive, esp. since they do not have an internal culture that supports that.
- akiselev 10y agoCalifornia is an international trade, manufacturing, and agricultural powerhouse with several of the biggest ports in the western hemisphere that supply the entire country. I don't think it's unreasonable for the private rail owners to reject a much less predictable revenue stream. It's not on them to provide the capital for public transit and I'm not sure the benefits of forcing them would outweigh the economic cost.