[Michael.SF.]

•It’s also FASTER than flying or driving when door-to-door times are compared

Is it really?

Lets Compare SF to LA a distance of 380 miles.

Driving time (via I5) = 6.5 to 7.0 hours

Plane: 1 hour flight + 30-45 min to SFO + 30-45 min security + 30 min. boarding + 30 deplaning + 30 to get car + 30 to get downtown = 4-5 hrs.

Train: 3.5 hour Travel Time + 15-30 min to Station + 30 min security + 30 min. boarding + 15 disembarking + 30 to get car = 5-6 hrs.

Of course there are many variables in the above, but if you are going for personal reasons (as opposed to business) and if you need a car when in LA, you are better off driving.

One big exception or other factor to be considered though is how you spend the travel time. The train is obviously much more comfortable and one can be productive.

[Mr. K]

Can you take your vehicle with you?

It would be cool to take the train if you could take your car with you- why don’t trains do this now?

And I dont mean this new expensive high-speed terrorist magnet

[Mr. Bird]

California is planning on spending $43 BILLION dollars on high speed rail between SF and LA. As I posted on another of Willie's articles, that amount of money would fly 25,000 people PER DAY, ROUND TRIP from SFO to LAX for 27 years at today's airfares!

Of course, 25,000 people do not travel to and fro each day. Assuming a generous 4 round trips a day on the train, government could essentially subisdize air travel between SFO and LAX for approximately 150 years.