California Democrats' crazy train won't be completed 'this century'

[Dashinka 24,925]

Shades of the former USSR and one party rule?  Who wants to be like California.

 

California Democrats' crazy train won't be completed 'this century'

 

The magic train to nowhere is now sitting in purgatory, with California Democrats unsure whether or not to burn more money on the project. California voters approved the project’s first bond in 2008, when the price tag was $33 billion. It was supposed to be finished two years ago. Now, the price tag is up to $113 billion, and even the initial segement of the line, which doesn't go anywhere useful, is likely going to fall short of its 2030 completion goal.

 

The Times’s summary of events is damning. Several former rail authority leaders disparage either the project, the political gamesmanship that took priority over the cost of the project, or both. The decision to saddle the Central Valley with the beginning of the failing project was justified as it being the “easiest place to build” because it was “mostly open farmland.” The state simply strong-armed farmers into giving up their land in the “largest land take in modern state history,” and the Times notes that the land seizures aren’t finished just yet. But who wants to be the last.

 

Among the operators who sought out the contract for the project was the French national railroad. But the company bailed in 2011 and went to Morocco, because North Africa was “less politically dysfunctional” than California with its single-party Democratic rule.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/california-democrats-crazy-train-wont-be-completed-this-century/ar-AA12OaKH

[Boiler 46,317]

I am generally pro Train, in the right situation.

 

This one is  pure political theatre and has not a lot to with the needs of adequate public transport. It is quite amusing to watch.

[Mike E 11,742]

And the French have 200 mph train service operating  in Morocco now, on time as promised.  
 

I think an LA to San Diego bullet train would have been sensible as that distance is really too short to fly given TSA overhead and driving that route is a drag.  But a bullet train anywhere else is California is silly. 
 

The money spent so far would have been better used building a overstate higher connecting  US101 from Gilroy (a city south of San Jose) to Interstate 5. That route to and through the Pacheco Pass is today mostly one lane in each direction and is a parking lot Friday nights and Sunday nights. 
 

 

Edited October 11, 2022 by Mike E

[TBoneTX 46,311]

7 minutes ago, Mike E said:

The money [...] would have been better used

Not possible in California.

[Dashinka 24,925]

16 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I am generally pro Train, in the right situation.

 

This one is  pure political theatre and has not a lot to with the needs of adequate public transport. It is quite amusing to watch.

This is what one party rule brings.  That being said, I agree, I do enjoy a nice train ride having ridden trains in the ROK and Russia.  In the ROK, the KTX high speed trains are very comfortable, but of course the ROK is essentially an island similar in size to Indiana.  Russian trains are another matter, slow, lots of stops even for express trains, but at least you can stretch out and have tea.

[Mike E 11,742]

34 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Not possible in California.

C’mon, of course I had in mind 3 lanes in each direction, with 2 of them as HOV lanes with a 4 passengers minimum. I’m not a granny killer.  

[TBoneTX 46,311]

6 minutes ago, Mike E said:

C’mon, of course I had in mind 3 lanes in each direction, with 2 of them as HOV lanes with a 4 passengers minimum.

Not possible in California.  And do the Environmental Impact Statement first!   

Edited October 11, 2022 by TBoneTX