Hi-speed train system!

...and that's why I voted for it!

too bad the train won't go up into the north valley and hit cities like chico and redding to keep them connected.

Atlanta's been wanting one for years. a Macon-Atlanta-Chattanooga train would take on a lot of the workers that drive over an hour to work there.

It's about freaking time. I'd rather have my tax dollars go to rebuilding the nation rather than go into some bigwig's vacation fund.

Well, it will save all the fuel IF enough people ride it. But, I think the time may be right for this, and actually, there should be a coast to coast high speed rail system. What we have, compared to the other advanced world countries, is pitiful.

The way to accomplish this is to involve the ailing American automakers. Right now with the death knell of an industry ringing in their ears, high-speed rail might look like a good hedge and business development opportunity.

It was the automakers along with Big Oil and the tire makers who killed mass transportation in America. This was profound in that without mass transit we got urban sprawl, which now makes mass transit unfeasible. The problem is not getting there, its how do you get around in the burbs once you arrive.

Perhaps mass adoption of the shared urban car model might go hand in hand with mass transit.

Walking is great when it is not raining, you do not have baggage, you have only a few blocks to travel the entire time you are at your destination, it is not night, it is not cold, it is not snowing, it is not hilly, you are young and healthy, etc. etc. etc.

All the ifs make mass transit iffy.

Make your life even faster so that you have even lesser time for your family.

Then pay taxes from your hard earned money.

next up, we need a Maglev from CA to NY.

As long as this is funded locally by Californians who would benefit from this fine. It is highly likely that unless private contractors are use it will take 3 times longer and 2.5 times the original cost.

If you can't convince people to car pool in California, how are you going to convince them to take the train.

California is all about the bling, cosmetic surgery and over the top celebrities.

Here's an idea, take all of the left over Obama presidential funding, and combining it with donations from the celebrities who want to "make a difference".

Or take all of the illegal aliens provide them with socical security numbers, have them do the work and set a minimum contribution level for citizen ship and this may get it done twice as fast for half the cost.

God knows we need it here in DC.

I would love to see this train running in my life time.
Now we just need to get better public transit in LA so when I get there I don't need to drive.

I love how you all speak like California's high speed rail is one of the greatest things going on, and yet not paying any attention to the reasons against it. Namely its lack of proper funding, it's expected cost of $80 billion, its intrusive pathway through many state and national parks, and it's lack of a budgetary plan. Californians just funded something equivalent to the bailout we all loved so much.

Finally!

one in california, i give it a couple of months before it snaps in half because of an earthquake

This all SOUNDS great, but the law that Prop 1A passed did not guarantee that they would actually build anything...it only provided the money for studies, and prep work...which Californians have passed a number of times. The money gets spent, and the study finds that it isn't feasible right now. As far as "high speed", it might be able to hit 200 mph in some sections of the San Joaquin Valley, but trains currently go about 15 mph up Tehachepi Pass (between Bakersfield and Palmdale on that map), and also through Rose Canyon into San Diego. Geography (mountains) precludes "high speed" over much of the route. Even though I am a huge proponent of passenger rail, I voted against it. Looks like California got taken again.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT NOW!!! woohooo!!!

I think there are too many stations/stops. How fast can it be, if it stops so many times? A more direct route, with stations placed in rural areas, would make fewer stops & starts conserving more fuel. Perhaps a secondary light rail or another way to bring commuters to the dense urban areas. I think the route presented as it is, would add to the congestion and do little to relieve any gridlock.

North America is in desperate need for high speed rail roads.

There is nothing better than a stress free ride. North Americans are obsessed with driving! They love their trucks and big SUVs. I never understood why an average person who has a small family and does not own a business needs to drive a truck or an SUV. It's about time we switch to more efficient public transportation. Not only it's better for your environment but also for your mental health and the stress you face every day driving in the rush hour..

Yes please!

Columbus can use one.

sweet just like japan.