52% want (CA) bullet train stopped, poll finds (LA Times)

[MADem]

42. I've availed myself of Japanese public transit, as well as the European system(s),

and I agree they're doing a better job than we are. They do have the advantage of a more dense population, which is a motivator when it comes to system improvement.

The trucking industry fears trains--they figure if the passenger model takes off, there will be more incentive to pull those trucks off the road and ship more stuff by rail.

Regardless, AMTRAK needs to stand up for themselves and get with the program--it's almost as if they are curmudgeonly set in their ways and will not think outside their established "Harrumph! Well, this is how it's ALWAYS been done! No changes, now, no changes!!!" mindset.

We don't necessarily need bullet trains all over the place, either--the trains we have go at a decent clip. New ones could go a bit faster, too. What we need are more efficiencies in the system and a broadening of the passenger base beyond old folks, those who fear flying, people on the no-fly list, and people who happen to live on a line that ends up at a desired destination. It needs to be a good enough system that people will bother to take a bus to get to the train!!