From: nott@xxxxxxxxxxxx
To: dpolhill@xxxxxxx
Sent: 4/12/2021 3:01:04 PM Mountain Standard Time
Subject: Can We Afford High-Speed Rail?
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Dennis,
Trains occupy an almost mythical space in American culture. Jimmie Rodgers
waited for one, Johnny Cash heard one rollin' by his prison cell, and Gladys
Knight caught one headed down to Georgia. Today, high-speed trains that travel
up to 220 miles-per-hour are the ones that have captured the public's
imagination. Unfortunately, President Joe Biden is feeding that narrative with
his plan to "raise the bar" by making trains as fast as planes—a promise that
isn't even remotely possible.
Rail has been at the core of Reason's work since the 1970s, thanks to Reason
Founder Bob Poole's lifelong passion for trains and the infrastructure that is
necessary to ensure that they run smoothly. Even before President Biden took
office, Bob addressed the proposed "rail revolution" and pointed out the high
cost and minimal value that has come from U.S. attempts to make it work.
ReasonTV producer Paul Detrick took a look at the failures of high-speed rail
in a recent video about California's disastrous foray into building a bullet
train. Back in 2008, the Los Angeles Times rhapsodized that a $9 billion bond
initiative would help the rail line draw 117 million riders by 2030, even while
pointing out that Reason's analyses against the state's $33 billion budget were
far more persuasive and realistic. Thirteen years later, we're looking at
connecting my hometown of Bakersfield with the dusty Central Valley town of
Madera, and the price tag has shot up to more than $100 billion. Both the New
York Post and Drudge Report linked to the video, pointing out that it's time to
"heed the Golden State's high-speed warning."
High-speed rail is not the panacea claimed by policymakers—it is a disruptive,
money-losing proposition that ignores every market signal and budgetary
reality. Fast trains are never going to replace cars, and they're not the
answer to emissions reductions or increased road capacity. They sure are shiny
and pretty, though.
Thanks again for your investment in Reason. With your help, we're drawing
national attention to the political fights that will have an enormous impact on
our fiscal future.
Regards,
David
David Nott
President
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