That being said, it is not a Federal responsibility and it should be able to stand on its own in the marketplace.
I do favor the Federal government establishing a high speed rail standard for the 50 states (57 if you’re Obama) as is their role under Article I Section 8. At least with a federal standard, if states decided to link up their high speed rail networks, they would already be compatible.
I am very close to agreeing with your view.
I do, however, believe that there is a legitimate federal role in providing funding for acquiring rights-of-way and constructing the railway track and infrastructure. In most cases, the private sector would be more efficient at operating the vehicles and rolling stock that travel on that infrastructure.
This model would be more consistant with how we fund our airways, highways and navigable waterways.
That makes sense. I’ll ask permission from Mr. Green to revise and extend my remarks. :)
What Jobs would one go to in the US on these high speed train? Trains/commuters in Chicago to her suburbs already exist called AmTrack which just needed again how many federal billions?
Trains are cheaper to ride perhaps in mass; but like a bus, "more chance of wackos on board". This country is in greater land mass compared to some foreign countries mentioned. I can go from London to Paris in 2.5 hours like I can go from Portland Me to Boston in the same.
There is one train slated for stimulus money to go from Brunswick Me to Boston!! Whoopty doo!..A Red Sox game, Bowdoin College students will party in Boston.
Much of this high train use is for recreational-Vegas, Disney etc. The rest are specific land investor groups who already own or WILL own the land, make out. Who has money to spend on Vacations with no job?
As a parent would say to their kids: "When you show good financial responsibility by saving up your money, then you can go buy XYZ with it."
Great. Then the fare box on the train should cover at least 70% of the operational costs. Raise the prices of tickets by 200-300% and you'll get close to what happens with the highways.
And you'll see what few sales you have now simply go away.