High-Speed Rail: Californians and Americans Just Don’t Know What We’re Missing

By Alan Kandel

It's high time that California and the rest of the country climb on board; climb on board high-speed rail, that is. If California doesn't do it first, it’s tough to imagine what other area in the United States will?

Japan has had their 186 mph Shinkansen (bullet train) system in operation since 1964. That’s nothing short of commendable because forty-four years of flawless service is quite a track record! Following Japan’s lead, there are now systems in France, Spain, Germany, China, Belgium, England, The Netherlands, and Taiwan. Italy's first high-speed rail system is purportedly inaugurating its service in 2011, while Mexico is in the process of building their very first, and in other parts of the globe, hsr is in the planning stages. A good many Americans just don’t know what they’re missing.

In Europe, some strategic alliances between air carriers, airports and high-speed rail have been formed which have made traveling arrangements more attractive, if not more convenient, productive, economically attractive, you name it. Meanwhile, taking a 200-mile trip from say Fresno to San Francisco Int'l. Airport on an electrically propelled high-speed train and one that is basically zero-emissions, will get the rider to SFO, according to the Fresno Bee (http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/924740.html), in less than an hour (at 220 mph, I'm assuming). This makes so much sense since Fresno Yosemite Int’l. airport isn't very well served in my opinion anyway. So hsr would be ideal for the Valley.

Density

Critics and opponents say there isn't enough density in California, especially in the Central Valley, to justify it. Hogwash! By the time this system is built and logging its first passenger revenue mile, there will be millions more people living in the eight-county Central Valley, not to mention what the population numbers will be elsewhere in the state. By 2030, that figure is projected to be 48 million statewide. Where are all these people going to live? Many will be living in the Central Valley and commuting to Bay Area jobs. That's the way the trend is now, so why would that be expected to change in a dozen years? Besides, in France the distance between population centers practically mirrors that of California, and the TGV (Train a Grande Vitesse) is one of the most successful hsr systems in the world!

Airport and highway expansion will cost billions more

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