LAist: California Chamber Opposes High Speed Rail

Richard Rider

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:47:05 -0800

For a detailed, devastating debunking of this incredible HSR boondoggle -- a.k.a. Prop 1A -- go to the 196 page study of this issue just released in September, 2008 by the Reason Foundation: www.reason.org/ps370/ Fortunately at this same web page you'll find a readable summation of the study. If that's not enough, go to www.ti.org/antiplanner/?p=515 which summarizes the reasons why high speed rail makes no sense. There are many related articles on this website. There are so many, MANY reasons to vote down this insane measure. The fact that California is flat broke from current profligate spending and borrowing is only the latest additional reason to vote down Prop 1A.

GarySe7en

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:10:38 -0800

For the run down on this Chamber of Commerce decision, check out Robert Cruickshank's post on the CHSR blog. http://cahsr.blogspot.com/2008/09/ca-chamber-of-commerce-out-to-lunch-on.html

Alan Fishel

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:54:55 -0800

I guess that the California Chamber of Commerce wants: Increased highway and air congestion. Spending billions to expand the highways to handle the traffic for people that would have been on the HSR Spending billions to expand airport capacity to handle traffic for people that would have been on HSR Wants people to deal with having to spend more time getting to and parking at incontinent airports, spending more time in security than in the air, and dealing with airport congestion than using the more diverse station network and the LRT, BRT, and commuter railroad network to get to the HSR stations. Want to spend much more to build and expanded a network of airports and highways than the cost of the HSR for a less usable infrastructure. Keep up the good work California Chamber of Commerce, this way there will be many more jobs to move people less efficiently, slower and more expensively.

brainylagirl

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:37:37 -0800

I support HSR in California. Thanks for your remarks, Gary. And thanks, Zach, for keeping an ear to the rail (couldn't resist) about all this and reporting to the voting masses.

GarySe7en

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:38:33 -0800

If you look into the issue a little deeper airlines actually are in a position to benefit from the rail line How? Well, short distance flights are not profitable for airlines, which is why many airline routes that we take for granted are actually subsidized by the government. If HSR takes pressure off airlines to provide fast service for what are short and costly trips for planes, it would allow them to focus on longer and more profitable flights. This why airlines in France have actually been supporting the expansion of HSR there, and one french airline is actually entering the train market it self to supplement their air travel. Those opposed to the HSR in CA see it as primarily a cost concern, because the up front expense of making it happen will be large. However opposition likes to point at how much the train would cost while ignoring the tremendous expense it would take to move the same number of people with car and air expansion. Also there is the claim no one would ride, which seems highly unlikely given the popularity of travel between the main cities. Even Amtrak with it's 11 hour trip from LA to SF is setting ridership records, and some of it's trains in many parts of the country are now hitting standing room only.

airickoo

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:19:36 -0800

I haven't done any extensive research, but I don't see how the rail line could have a negative impact on anyone in California, except for the airline industry. Air travel is quickly becoming a costly commodity and we really need to have an alternative that is not dependant on oil. The ridiculously high air fares and gas prices have probably pushed enough Californians to realize how important this project is if we want to be able to continue to move freely throughout the state at low price.

Zach Behrens

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:02:50 -0800

I personally support it, but interesting observation. It was just how the cookies crumbled. Here are all the prop 1 posts: http://laist.com/tags/prop1

GarySe7en

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:58:30 -0800

I also have to say given LAist's track record of supporting alternative transit issues, I'm a little surprised by what seems to be an anti high speed rail bias. Seems like all the stories against the project get a nod or mention here, while endorsements or articles for go unreported.

GarySe7en

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:52:28 -0800

If anyone is interested in reading strong arguments for the high speed rail project, the California High Speed Rail Blog is a great read. The authors make a strong case for why it's a worthwhile investment, and when opposition comes up, they matter-of-factly address their issues with well supported counter points. They frequently provide references to studies and articles about high speed rail projects around the world to support their arguments. This is in contrast to posts and articles by those opposed, who say they think it's a bad idea without explanation, or gawk at the price tag without looking at how much we are spending to subsidize airlines and roadways, both of which keep us in oil dependence. I was inspired by the fact that after many years of being shot down, this is finally going to be on the ballot. So I also just started my own blog to support rail projects. As we close in on November I'll make my case for why trains are awesome and worth our investment. I am in no way affiliated with the project, just a 24 year old who rides bikes and loves train travel.