California's High Speed Rail

2012-07-19 07:38:46

#1

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5597|London, England

California's governor recently signed into law a bill that would begin construction on a new high speed rail system that will look like this:

Personally, I think it's a complete waste of money, but I was wondering what our resident Californians think about it. Do you plan to use it when it's completed? How long does it take to fly from LA to SF or SAC right now?

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2012-07-19 07:56:11

#2

13urnzz: Banned; +5,830|6736

lol, victorville

well, it will make it easier for illegals to hop the fence at Otay Mesa, and ride to the Central Valley for work . . .

2012-07-19 07:58:45

#3

eleven bravo: Member; +1,399|5498|foggy bottom

fucks an otay mesa

Tu Stultus Es

2012-07-19 07:59:34

#4

Kimmmmmmmmmmmm: ©; +1,811|6236

how is this a waste of money?

2012-07-19 08:00:36

#5

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5597|London, England

Kimmmmmmmmmmmm wrote:
how is this a waste of money?

Because it will never make enough money to pay off the cost of building it.

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2012-07-19 08:01:17

#6

13urnzz: Banned; +5,830|6736

it's a bedroom community on the border. when they built it, people complained about the border fence, so it's not as high, easier to jump.

2012-07-19 08:02:51

#7

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5597|London, England

I've never been to California so I have no idea what the geography is like, but why is it making that big curve just north of LA? Why not just run the thing down the coast where all the cities are?

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2012-07-19 08:04:44

#8

13urnzz: Banned; +5,830|6736

Jay wrote:
I've never been to California so I have no idea what the geography is like, but why is it making that big curve just north of LA? Why not just run the thing down the coast where all the cities are?

it's mountains. well, hills anyways - it's called the grapevine and all the cities on your map were included to make the rural counties go along with the boondoggle

2012-07-19 08:07:19

#9

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5597|London, England

13urnzz wrote:
Jay wrote:
I've never been to California so I have no idea what the geography is like, but why is it making that big curve just north of LA? Why not just run the thing down the coast where all the cities are?
it's mountains. well, hills anyways - it's called the grapevine and all the cities on your map were included to make the rural counties go along with the boondoggle

Increased ridership and lower transit times traded for rural district voters. God I love this country, it's so efficient.

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2012-07-19 08:35:48

#10

pirana6: Go Cougs!; +691|6530|Washington St.

Doesn't the San Fran to San Jose completely undermine BART? At least in that area of the bay... I guess if they use the pre-built BART system and pay the people who built it back? Gee wilikers I just don't know.
Also, I can't wait until 2159 until this is done.

2012-07-19 08:59:27

#11

Hurricane2k9: Pendulous Sweaty Balls; +1,538|5941|College Park, MD

I'm guessing they'll still have Caltrain for regular commuter service from SF to San Jose. Tickets for this are not gonna be cheap I bet...

https://static.bf2s.com/files/user/36793/marylandsig.jpg

2012-07-19 09:35:58

#12

Ilocano: buuuurrrrrrppppp.......; +341|6906

Jay wrote:
13urnzz wrote:
Jay wrote:
I've never been to California so I have no idea what the geography is like, but why is it making that big curve just north of LA? Why not just run the thing down the coast where all the cities are?
it's mountains. well, hills anyways - it's called the grapevine and all the cities on your map were included to make the rural counties go along with the boondoggle
Increased ridership and lower transit times traded for rural district voters. God I love this country, it's so efficient.

Actually, for the most part, the paths are the "efficient" routes, versus the "scenic" routes. It's the highway paths if you want to get somewhere faster, versus the slower and heavier congested coastal routes. As a high speed rail, my purpose of using it would be to get somewhere fast. My family will definitely use this for San Diego and San Francisco. But Victorville for Vegas? Shit, should start from Ontario to make it convenient for most of the populace.

2012-07-19 10:22:06

#13

mtb0minime: minimember; +2,418|6894

As a resident Californian and aspiring transportation engineer, I think what they're doing is completely batshit retarded. They refuse to heed advice from companies that have done high-speed rail before. They choose a path that is billions of dollars more expensive to build, will have increased travel times, and is out in the middle of nowhere where ridership will be lower. It's a no-fucking-brainer. Clearly the politicians are doing pandering and the engineers have no input.

Rider capacity/volume of traffic, and cost are two major factors in projects. The third major factor is safety. The safety factor will remain the same no matter what path they choose. Therefore, the obvious choice is to pick the option that is cheaper and has the potential to transport more people.

I was all for this project when they first mentioned it. But now I'm completely against it. Such a massive waste of money. It makes no sense whatsoever and seriously aggravates me.

2012-07-19 10:22:43

#14

mtb0minime: minimember; +2,418|6894

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me … 9140.story

2012-07-19 10:44:43

#15

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5597|London, England

Honestly, as much of a dick as he was, and how undemocratic his process was, the framework Robert Moses used to remap New York's transportation grid would probably have been the best way to work this plan. Create a Public Authority with the ability to float its own bonds and the power of eminent domain and you take the work out of the hands of the politicians that would destroy it for votes like they did here. Basically nothing has gotten done in New York since he was kicked out of office fifty years ago.

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2012-07-19 10:47:16

#16

13urnzz: Banned; +5,830|6736

with that said, can we now derail this train topic?

2012-07-19 11:16:17

#17

eleven bravo: Member; +1,399|5498|foggy bottom

Jay wrote:
Kimmmmmmmmmmmm wrote:
how is this a waste of money?
Because it will never make enough money to pay off the cost of building it.

lol.

Tu Stultus Es

2012-07-19 11:23:04

#18

War Man: Australians are hermaphrodites.; +564|6953|Purplicious Wisconsin

Jay wrote:
Kimmmmmmmmmmmm wrote:
how is this a waste of money?
Because it will never make enough money to pay off the cost of building it.

It may................................................................................................................................

eventually, but most likely not in our life time.

The irony of guns, is that they can save lives.

2012-07-19 11:23:16

#19

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5597|London, England

eleven bravo wrote:
Jay wrote:
Kimmmmmmmmmmmm wrote:
how is this a waste of money?
Because it will never make enough money to pay off the cost of building it.
lol.

I take it you disagree?

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2012-07-19 11:24:34

#20

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5597|London, England

War Man wrote:
Jay wrote:
Kimmmmmmmmmmmm wrote:
how is this a waste of money?
Because it will never make enough money to pay off the cost of building it.
It may................................................................................................................................

eventually, but most likely not in our life time.

No it won't. Maintenance isn't free. Salaries for the personnel involved aren't free. They'll be lucky if they can keep up with the interest on the bonds their floating.

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2012-07-19 11:40:29

#21

Ilocano: buuuurrrrrrppppp.......; +341|6906

mtb0minime wrote:
As a resident Californian and aspiring transportation engineer, I think what they're doing is completely batshit retarded. They refuse to heed advice from companies that have done high-speed rail before. They choose a path that is billions of dollars more expensive to build, will have increased travel times, and is out in the middle of nowhere where ridership will be lower. It's a no-fucking-brainer. Clearly the politicians are doing pandering and the engineers have no input.

Rider capacity/volume of traffic, and cost are two major factors in projects. The third major factor is safety. The safety factor will remain the same no matter what path they choose. Therefore, the obvious choice is to pick the option that is cheaper and has the potential to transport more people.

I was all for this project when they first mentioned it. But now I'm completely against it. Such a massive waste of money. It makes no sense whatsoever and seriously aggravates me.

Routes look fine to me (except the one to Vegas). I want high speed rail to get me to where I want to go, fast. I don't need it to go the scenic route. If I wanted the scenic route, I'll drive. Southbound from LA, Legoland is screwed though.

2012-07-19 11:41:47

#22

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5597|London, England

How long does it take to fly from LA to SF?

Nevermind, looked it up, 1hr22mins

The train will take twice as long and cost as much or more.

Last edited by Jay (2012-07-19 11:43:11)

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2012-07-19 11:50:59

#23

Ilocano: buuuurrrrrrppppp.......; +341|6906

Jay wrote:
How long does it take to fly from LA to SF?

Nevermind, looked it up, 1hr22mins

The train will take twice as long and cost as much or more.

Airport + kids.

2012-07-19 11:52:37

#24

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5597|London, England

Train station + kids is better? And that justifies $100BN?

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2012-07-19 11:54:01

#25

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5597|London, England

I wouldn't have a thing to say about it if California wasn't already teetering on the edge of bankruptcy with the inevitable federal bailout coming along right behind it.

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

BF2S Forums California's High Speed Rail

Kimmmmmmmmmmmm wrote:

Jay wrote:

13urnzz wrote:

Jay wrote:

Jay wrote:

13urnzz wrote:

Jay wrote:

Jay wrote:

Kimmmmmmmmmmmm wrote:

Jay wrote:

Kimmmmmmmmmmmm wrote:

eleven bravo wrote:

Jay wrote:

Kimmmmmmmmmmmm wrote:

War Man wrote:

Jay wrote:

Kimmmmmmmmmmmm wrote:

mtb0minime wrote:

Jay wrote:

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