Comments on: Bullet train survives lawsuit, but faces new delays

By: Ronald

Ronald — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 20:44:06 +0000

Shrinking ridership on public transportation may be a sign of things to come for the Bullet Train and the States’ optimistic ridership projections to justify the project. The State is only required to build the high speed rail, then turn it over to an operator. If the high speed rail ever gets built, the completed project will be doomed to failure even before it’s turned over to an operator.

Since state law says that the system MUST OPERATE WITHOUT A TAXPAYER SUBSIDY, the end results may necessitate higher fares per mile, compared with other similar rail systems worldwide, this will adversely affect ridership projections. Thus, it’s understandable that an investment in the bullet train provides significant ROI risks to that invested capital.

The bullet train will be competing against the multitude of airports in CA as well as the constantly developing technologies that are affecting the way we do business. Just like the land phones that have become obsolete as a result of cell phone technologies, future travel needs may be impacted in the coming decades as a result of the ever growing virtual world.

Driving or flying from a multitude of airports can be done at virtually any time of day, but the inflexibility of how many train departure times would be available from a limited number of trains would impact the convenience factor offered by cars and planes and thus also adversely affect train ridership. The snowballing effect of lower ridership would be higher fares for those that do use the train as there would be no state subsidies available. Lower ridership would further impact the ROI risks for invested capital.

By: Spurwing Plover

Spurwing Plover — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:35:32 +0000

So how much farmland will they use Entimate Domain to confiscate so they can build their pork train railroad?

By: ricky65

ricky65 — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 16:52:27 +0000

So the ballot language of Prop 1A says the train ‘system would have to be financially viable, allow the operation of trains every five minutes in each direction, operate without a subsidy, have all the funds identified for an operating segment before the start of construction and travel between Los Angeles and San Francisco in two hours and 40 minutes, among other things…”
None of these conditions are not now, or ever will be in compliance with the law.
Yet somehow this D-Rat appointed judge has determined that the current project complies with the ballot language and the law.
There are only two possibilities how this can be possible:
1. A large manila envelope from the unions and D-Rat supporters of this fiasco was slipped under the door of the judge’s chambers.
2. These same people apparently have pictures of the judge with either farm animals or little kids- or both.

By: eck

eck — Sun, 13 Mar 2016 01:24:26 +0000

In reply to Rex the Wonder Dog!. I'd pay big $$ to see that!

By: Rex the Wonder Dog!

Rex the Wonder Dog! — Sat, 12 Mar 2016 01:18:37 +0000

I have a GREAT USE for this boondoggle white elephant! We can strap Teddy Steals to the front of it, lay the tracks out into the Pacific Ocean and then let her rip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Highest and best use!

https://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/img_7496_1016707553.jpg?quality=100&strip=all

By: Rex the Wonder Dog!

Rex the Wonder Dog! — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 23:00:24 +0000

I can’t wait to ride the BB Gun Train!

By: Standing Fast

Standing Fast — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 20:58:20 +0000

The more the State pursues this Quixotic dream, the more idiotic it seems to me. Are the fans of high-speed rail really that stupid or do they just think we are?
I thank God for small favors. The longer this is delayed the less likely it will ever come to pass.