Lumpy1106
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2010
That's not really what happened. The original ballot measure sold the HSR as though it would only cost $33B and would go from LA to SF in 2.5 hours. The politicians then got their hands on the plans and took it along a more developed route so it could make several stops in their districts. That TRIPLED the cost to over $100B. Many cutbacks were made such as taking Sacramento and San Diego off of the route map and the cost went back down to only double, $66B. Projected route times were left out of the discussion. Meanwhile, including all of the money from the original ballot measure and the money they got from the Obama administration, there was only $10B available. Enter the new governor, he realized the situation for what it was and put a push to complete the only segment he had money for from Bakersfield to Madera - two places you will never find in the California Tourism Board advertisements... along a route that parallels an existing AMTRAK line. It is beyond dumb. If asked directly, the new governor will chide you for suggesting that the rail line NOT be built, and will insist that the plan is to complete the whole thing - that being Bakersfield to San Jose...according to him. Safe to say, despite the fact that they have already built the rail station just a short bus ride from Disneyland, you will never be able to take HSR to Disneyland from anywhere.I know this is an older thread, but bumping for the latest update. Brightline's future is not looking so bright after failed IPO:
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20190213/whats-next-for-brightline-after-ipo-fails
Between this and California's new governor cutting back their high-speed plans significantly, the picture looks bleak for any fans of rail travel in the US.
Which is a long way of saying...
Take a long look at what happened in California before pushing for any HSR project in Florida. There are LOTS of lessons to be learned here.