3 ms·

I think the state just needs to gulp the costs here. There are a few large bets which every state should make every decade to make landmark progress. For Califo

I think the state just needs to gulp the costs here. There are a few large bets which every state should make every decade to make landmark progress. For California, having this bullet train will be it. No matter what happens, California needs to build this infra to help easier transportation and leisure travel for generations to come. The cost equation will seem peanuts in comparison to the benefits offers for multiple decades thereafter. Otherwise, we won't even know where this $64B went.

vondur 9y ago
I’m going to guess the one way price when completed is going to be more than an airline flight.
- jxramos 9y ago
  I'll place my bets tonight for 2X the fare.
  - caseysoftware 9y ago
    The only upside will (briefly) be not having to deal with the TSA and showing up ~2 hours before the flight. Unfortunately, the TSA is making an appearance in local metro and train systems more and more, so I expect them to show up pretty quickly. Then we'll have an grossly underestimated project with higher than "expected" costs with high ticket prices and no tangible benefits over the alternative - and likely faster - mode of travel. And odds are, the system upgrades will need to start immediately so the ongoing maintenance will not be significantly cheaper than construction. Yay?
    - bsimpson 9y ago
      The Transbay Terminal is in a lot more convenient location than SFO. Lyft to-and-from the airport adds $60 to your fare. Also, I don't know what the price model will be. In Italy, for instance, you buy a ticket reflecting the route you want to take and you can get on any train you want. Miss the 4:05? Take the 4:25. I wouldn't be surprised if this was similarly flexible. Most airlines, on the other hand, charge change fees unless you are a frequent flyer.
  - vondur 9y ago
    Sadly, you are probably correct.
- wtvanhest 9y ago
  Which should tell you what you need to know to understand demand.

vondur 9y ago

I’m going to guess the one way price when completed is going to be more than an airline flight.

jxramos 9y ago
I'll place my bets tonight for 2X the fare.
- caseysoftware 9y ago
  The only upside will (briefly) be not having to deal with the TSA and showing up ~2 hours before the flight. Unfortunately, the TSA is making an appearance in local metro and train systems more and more, so I expect them to show up pretty quickly. Then we'll have an grossly underestimated project with higher than "expected" costs with high ticket prices and no tangible benefits over the alternative - and likely faster - mode of travel. And odds are, the system upgrades will need to start immediately so the ongoing maintenance will not be significantly cheaper than construction. Yay?
  - bsimpson 9y ago
    The Transbay Terminal is in a lot more convenient location than SFO. Lyft to-and-from the airport adds $60 to your fare. Also, I don't know what the price model will be. In Italy, for instance, you buy a ticket reflecting the route you want to take and you can get on any train you want. Miss the 4:05? Take the 4:25. I wouldn't be surprised if this was similarly flexible. Most airlines, on the other hand, charge change fees unless you are a frequent flyer.
- vondur 9y ago
  Sadly, you are probably correct.
wtvanhest 9y ago
Which should tell you what you need to know to understand demand.