High Speed Rail coming to the US

[88m3]

California high-speed rail wins approval
An artist's rendition courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority 6 July 2012 As yet, the high-speed train exists only as artistic renditions
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories

Will California bite the high-speed rail bullet?
China at the heart of California rail history

California lawmakers have approved financing for a bullet train that would eventually become part of the first dedicated high-speed line in the US.

In a 21-16 vote, the Senate approved a 130 mile (209km) stretch, part of a larger line proposed to run from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

Critics say the train is an wasteful expense, while supporters say it is a necessary infrastructure project.

The final cost of the completed LA-San Francisco line is estimated at $68bn.

Governor Jerry Brown had lobbied intensely for the train. After he signs the bill - expected to be a formality - California will begin selling $2.6bn (£1.7bn) in bonds to finance the first segment.

The financing was approved by California's lower house, the Assembly, on Thursday.

"The legislature took bold action today that gets Californians back to work and puts California out in front once again," Mr Brown said in a statement after the Senate vote.
'Fiscal train wreck'

The vote on Friday also allows California to use $3.2bn in federal financing. The state will have more federal funds because several states turned down money for high-speed rail projects.
An artist's rendition courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority shows a station Additional stations are proposed at airports along the route

Senate Republicans argued California's budget - currently projected to be $16bn in the red - has already been hit too hard to approve the funding.

"This is a colossal fiscal train wreck for California," Republican Senator Tony Strickland said during debate. "Members, this bill is spending money we simply don't have here in California."

Many Democrats said high-speed rail was essential to the state's future, including dealing with population growth.

"There could not conceivably be enough freeway lanes to manage another 50% in automobiles," Senator Mark Leno said. "There couldn't possibly be enough runway space to accommodate an increase in 50% of additional air passengers."

Some business leaders from the San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley areas supported the measure and had been working to lobby legislators in recent weeks.

Bay Area Council president Jim Wunderman called the vote a "courageous step forward for California's future"

BBC News - California high-speed rail wins approval

Next the East Coast?

 

[radio rahiem]

to be honest, this should've been installed nationwide

 

[the next guy]

Good. About time.

 

[MikelArteta]

to be honest, this should've been installed nationwide

i agree, but it will be expensive, look at europe a arm and a leg, but at least this should somewhat ease congestion

 

[newarkhiphop]

why is there so much hate for this?

also what is the time it would take no on a regular train to travel from la to san fran?

 

[the next guy]

Plane tickets cost an arm and leg. This will be good. end of.

 

[50CentStan]

Hopefully this will take the fatties off the planes, If I have to sit inbetween 2 500 lb white men who need seat belt extensions ever again

 

[Hiphoplives4eva]

We cant afford this crap. Pretty soon, these californians will be asking for a bailout after this debacle crashes and burns.

 

[88m3]

We cant afford this crap. Pretty soon, these californians will be asking for a bailout after this debacle crashes and burns.

Or it could end up being the best thing that ever happened for the area.

 

[radio rahiem]

We cant afford this crap. Pretty soon, these californians will be asking for a bailout after this debacle crashes and burns.

it creates jobs dumba....

 

[Turenne]

why is there so much hate for this?

Too European. High Speed Rail isn't patriotic.

 

[theworldismine13]

im glad this is coming, but there is no doubt that this will turn into clusterfuk, its already a clusterfuk

the first section isnt even to any big cities, the first section is to some cities that i cant even remember the name to right now

 

[PartyHeart]

All I want is something that runs from like Hollywood to Santa Monica/Venice and stops in between

 

[88m3]

im glad this is coming, but there is no doubt that this will turn into clusterfuk, its already a clusterfuk

the first section isnt even to any big cities, the first section is to some cities that i cant even remember the name to right now

Well you've got to start somewhere don't be such a pessimist

 

[NoMoreWhiteWoman2020]

Only makes sense to encourage this method more by governmentally taxing gas more, thus forcing more to travel high speed