CA High-Speed Rail Cost Explodes to $231 Billion, From Original $33 Billion

[80zephyr]

Yet you clearly stated a falsehood on the subject

bye

Lol. I asked you a question. Where did I state a falsehood?

 

[22lcidw]

It is way faster...

I have used high speed rail... It goes city centre to city centre... No travel to airport, no security checks, can properly work while traveling... Far more recent and cheaper...

You could live three hours drive from work and your commute could be an hour....

Using ignorance as a method of argument...

If it has no impediments, it saves time. That is not the case with the California line. It jigs, it jags, it changes course, so it may not even reach top speed in many parts. In fact, they reduced the maximum and are calling it a higher speed line now.

 

[Dante]

The Acella from Boston to Wash DC is slower than a car and costs more. Like what you going to build tunnels at a huge expense. The way American cities are laid out there is always a populated area in between them. After the CA train disaster dont expect funding anytime soon.

I guess you're clueless as to why people prefer the Rail

 

[Dante]

Lol. I asked you a question. Where did I state a falsehood?

please stop wasting everybody's time here with your nonsense

 

[Thinker101]

I guess you're clueless as to why people prefer the Rail

Obviously rail passengers have not been paying their fair share.

Amtrak has been operating at a loss for decades, and in recent years the losses have grown significantly. In fiscal year 2025, the company reported a $661.7 million operating loss, but when factoring in depreciation, project-related expenses, state subsidies, and other costs, the true annual loss is closer to $2.09 billion. This pattern has continued for over 80 years, with losses rising from about $1.12 billion in 2019 to $2.12 billion in 2024.

 

[Dante]

Obviously rail passengers have not been paying their fair share.

Amtrak has been operating at a loss for decades, and in recent years the losses have grown significantly. In fiscal year 2025, the company reported a $661.7 million operating loss, but when factoring in depreciation, project-related expenses, state subsidies, and other costs, the true annual loss is closer to $2.09 billion. This pattern has continued for over 80 years, with losses rising from about $1.12 billion in 2019 to $2.12 billion in 2024.

chew on this:

AI Overview



Airline subsidies in the US have been crucial to the industry’s development since 1925, evolving from early airmail contracts to infrastructure funding and post-9/11 bailouts. Over $155 billion in direct support was provided from 1918–1998, with billions more in ongoing subsidies for small communities (EAS) and emergency financial support for major carriers.
Key Eras of Government Subsidies:

• 1920s–1930s (Airmail & Development): The 1925 Kelly Act allowed the Post Office to contract airmail service to private carriers, crucial for their survival. The 1930 Watres Act adjusted this to force carriers to carry passengers, encouraging a sustainable passenger industry.
• 1926–1970 (Infrastructure Development): The federal government invested heavily, including over $1.5 billion (roughly $9 billion in total aid, including mail subsidies) to build and develop airports.
• 1978–Present (Essential Air Service - EAS): Following deregulation, the EAS program was created to subsidize flights to small communities that would otherwise lose air service.
• Post-9/11 & COVID-19 (Crisis Bailouts): The government provided $15 billion in cash grants and loan guarantees after 9/11. The pandemic led to over $54 billion in direct aid (payroll support) for airlines, part of a larger bailout package exceeding $300 billion in total government aid from 1960-2010