$900 million capital cost = perhaps 5 miles of a typical suburban freeway, if you’re lucky. The I-880 1-mile segment that collapsed in the Loma Prieta (Oakland CA) quake in 1989 cost about $1 billion to replace. Funny how when transit is discussed, all we hear about is the cost, but when roads are discussed all we…

Interesting figures. Now I want to see you generate the same figures for auto and air transportation. No interest, right?

Sorry, you don’t know what you are talking about. Automobile use is heavily subsidized by all levels of government. Most towns and suburbs, for example, offer “free” (i.e., taxpayer funded) street parking. Freeways get Federal subsidies from the Federal general fund - every year Congress votes approximately $20…

Hmm, I don’t buy your economic theory. If an area is very expensive to live in, it implies that that area is highly desirable - relative to the supply. For example, we wouldn’t refer to a VW beetle as a “better car” than a Rolls-Royce, just because it’s cheaper (more affordable sure). Funny how when it comes to real…

No. It was part of Trump’s CAMPAIGN platform - like Hitler, he said whatever was required to get himself elected. That has absolutely nothing to do with intended actions - which would appear to hew closely to standard conservative “think tank” positions (i.e., all power to the corporations, no power for individuals).

Which unused routes are you talking about? My experience with the long-distance trains is that they’re generally sold out. How much Amtrak riding have you actually done? Show me numbers, don’t just make stuff up that supports your position.

But there is enough of the US that IS sufficiently densely populated to support HSR. Arguing against HSR because it’s not appropriate for Wyoming would be like arguing against airplanes because they make no sense to get around Manhattan.

This is a case of a partisan commenting on a subject about which he knows nothing. European and Asian experience is that in routes up to about 1,000 km, properly implemented high-speed rail eats air’s lunch. Now, the obvious comeback is the “socialism” whine - that rail is subsidized. There is truth to that, but air…

If that same logic were applied to highways, many rural roads would have to be closed down (as would Post Office service to small towns, etc.). There is value to having a SYSTEM. This means that segments with high use inevitably subsidize those with low use. Funny thing - when I suggest that - shutting down highways…