tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125157.post3522522390739763159..comments2023-09-16T02:32:27.765-06:00Comments on Passenger Rail: HSR Swings Like A Pendulum Domistertrainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06908806266880517883noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11125157.post-63807498911966266912011-02-04T15:33:24.740-07:002011-02-04T15:33:24.740-07:00I too am a conservative...a fiscal conservative. ...I too am a conservative...a fiscal conservative. I disagree with you on high speed rail.<br /><br />Even the wildest most optimistic forecasts show the benefits will never outweigh the costs...or even come close.<br /><br />When the benefits are measured in millions of personal trips per year and the costs are measured in hundreds of billions of dollars, there never reaches a point where it would be worth going into debt for. It's a recipe for financial disaster. Worse, it would make intercity bus and private air service less viable by taking passengers away from other struggling modes.<br /><br />High speed transportation is a premium service for which travelers ought to be prepared to pay a premium price. If a business plan cannot be put together that requires travelers to pay the price for the higher level of service, the government has no business providing that service at a reduced rate.<br /><br />I can see my way clear to government subsidizing basic transportation (roads, urban buses, sidewalks, bike paths) but not premium services.<br /><br />Subsidized high speed rail is welfare for the well to do. We cannot afford that.<br /><br />JohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com