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They are spending money to improve Caltrain; the plan is to move to electrified trains by 2021. It's the "service between Caltrain and the Central Valley" part

They are spending money to improve Caltrain; the plan is to move to electrified trains by 2021. It's the "service between Caltrain and the Central Valley" part that's a more significant challenge. I'm not convinced that the current HSR project is the best way to do it, but I'm also not aware of any serious counterproposal -- and it's hard to even imagine one that wouldn't also be a huge, expensive undertaking with limitless opportunity for missed schedules, cost overruns and undue optimism.

ubernostrum 9y ago
I'm not convinced that the current HSR project is the best way to do it Most criticism boils down to a "perfect is the enemy of the good" problem. Anything that isn't the most perfect possible solution from a given critic's viewpoint is attacked as a "boondoggle" while ignoring that opening up the corridor and making it easier to travel between SF, LA, and smaller cities in between will be a good thing (and that there's plenty of evidence for it in similar rail lines elsewhere).
- kelnos 9y ago
  I agree that it's a good thing, but is it good enough to warrant its price tag, when we're painfully aware of significant issues with our existing transit systems?
  - ubernostrum 9y ago
    If only some of the money for HSR were going to be used to improve existing transit systems as well as building a new line. (hint: some of the money is going to be used to improve existing transit systems!)
- chipotle_coyote 9y ago
  Yep, I agree. That's what I (imperfectly) meant by the lack of serious counterproposals: I'm not sure the current HSR is the best approach, but I haven't seen anyone come up with a better idea, and I'd rather have something than nothing.
kelnos 9y ago
The main problems with Caltrain seem to be cost, too-infrequent trains, and delays. Does electrification address that? And even if it does, this doesn't improve VTA, BART, SF Muni, etc.

ubernostrum 9y ago

I'm not convinced that the current HSR project is the best way to do it Most criticism boils down to a "perfect is the enemy of the good" problem. Anything that isn't the most perfect possible solution from a given critic's viewpoint is attacked as a "boondoggle" while ignoring that opening up the corridor and making it easier to travel between SF, LA, and smaller cities in between will be a good thing (and that there's plenty of evidence for it in similar rail lines elsewhere).

kelnos 9y ago
I agree that it's a good thing, but is it good enough to warrant its price tag, when we're painfully aware of significant issues with our existing transit systems?
- ubernostrum 9y ago
  If only some of the money for HSR were going to be used to improve existing transit systems as well as building a new line. (hint: some of the money is going to be used to improve existing transit systems!)
chipotle_coyote 9y ago
Yep, I agree. That's what I (imperfectly) meant by the lack of serious counterproposals: I'm not sure the current HSR is the best approach, but I haven't seen anyone come up with a better idea, and I'd rather have something than nothing.

kelnos 9y ago

The main problems with Caltrain seem to be cost, too-infrequent trains, and delays. Does electrification address that? And even if it does, this doesn't improve VTA, BART, SF Muni, etc.