California Bullet Train Groundbreaking in Fresno

At the Los Angeles Times, "Gov. Brown lauds bullet train project at groundbreaking ceremony."

It's a boondoggle.

From the Letters to the Editor, "Why high-speed rail in California will fail":

To the editor: As an old, long retired railroad executive in the U.S. and Canada, I can predict that Gov. Jerry Brown's high-speed rail line will fail and cost taxpayers plenty for years. ("After two-year delay, construction on California's bullet train is set to start," Jan. 4)

My company participated in planning several similar projects in different counties. We always concluded that rail was only ideal for passengers when there were plenty of freight trains to help pay for it.

Since there's very little freight between Los Angeles and San Francisco, you can bet your boots that taxpayers will have to cover the costs for years and years. Busses and planes are far more economical. The only self-supporting rail line in the U.S. is the busy commuter line between Boston, New York and Washington.

If Brown is looking for a legacy, the money for high-speed rail would be far more useful if spent on water for Southern California.

Dick Ettington
Palos Verdes Peninsula

And be sure to watch the video. KCBS Los Angeles sounds almost like Fox News, heh.