High speed rail works in Europe and Japan for two reasons: cities are closer in distance, driving cars is very expensive and since the government subsidizes rail fares, its cheaper than flying by plane.
All the opposite is true here: cities are far apart, driving a car is inexpensive even long distance and rail fares will never be competitive with air fares, period.
And its just not suited for California. Light rail does work in the LA metro area but that’s because its very densely populated. That’s not true of the rural hinterland between LA and SF.
Jerry Brown is chasing after the Taj Mahal of trains. Its the ultimate White Elephant. California could more sensibly spend its scarce transportation dollars than on a political prestige project to nowhere. And its one that will never get built.
The Metro in LA doesn’t work because it doesn’t go anywhere anyone would want to be.
The biggest proponents of public transportation don’t want it in their part of town.