This HSR line makes a good deal of sense if it could be built. Your analysis of flying is wildly incorrect. The train will be faster door to door than the average flight.

But the main benefit will come from massive secondary economic growth. Cities along the line will experience dramatic increases in demand and economic activity. Cities at the terminus will have a massively increased share of workers in the commute threshold.

Further, the HSR line serves as a backbone for future lines, tying the state together.

The plan is very good on paper. It’s getting creamed in implementation because CA is not politically aligned on this project. Half the state doesn’t want it to succeed at all.