California's high-speed rail project is under scrutiny for its escalating costs and lack of progress, with officials now seeking an additional $100 billion in funding, potentially looking towards a federal bailout from Biden. Critics argue the project, which aims to connect various regions including Bakersfield and Merced, is a financial boondoggle that overpromises and underdelivers, with Riverside County taxpayers particularly concerned about funding a project that may not benefit their region for decades, if at all. The inefficiency of current rail services is highlighted by comparisons such as the 39-hour train journey for a trip that takes 2 hours by flight, emphasizing the need for improved rail connections between major cities like LOS ANGELES and SAN DIEGO. Meanwhile, Brightline West's $12-billion project between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga is noted as a promising development in the push for high-speed rail in the country.
Brightline West's $12-billion, 218-mile route between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga promises even faster travel than the company's Florida train as the first true high-speed rail line in the United States. STORY: https://t.co/n7GeTV5JHh https://t.co/8QJozNrWE9
39 hour train for a 2 hour flight is a joke. The US desperately needs high-speed rail between major cities. https://t.co/OshYqu3QKM
I literally had the perfect use case for medium-distance heavy rail in California this week, but apparently it’s more important to spend $40 billion to not connect Bakersfield to Merced than to run the train between LOS ANGELES and SAN DIEGO more that TWICE A DAY, so I’m driving. https://t.co/a0y6PJR2cB https://t.co/YiEHvtCO2W
Mathews: California should not emulate this high-speed rail system https://t.co/9LsHLru1bo
Every time Californians look they add a few more billions to the price tag of this boondoggle. Riverside County taxpayers are being forced to fund this project that will not come anywhere near our region for decades - if ever. That's why I've strongly opposed funding it. https://t.co/DCVyTmb8w0
California: We Need *Another* $100 Billion for High-Speed Rail Hey, a hundred billion here, a hundred billion there, and pretty soon you're talking about real money. But apparently not real progress. Translation: They want a federal bailout from Biden. https://t.co/3b44aYosJx