SSUUURRREEEEE it will!. Quadruple the cost, and divide the annual ridership by ten, and you might have something closer to the truth.
High speed rail is technology the US should embrace and implement. There should be a 20 year Long Range Plan to connect major metropolitan areas using satisfactory existing rail lines and building new dedicated lines.
Chicago to Indy in 2 hours, then down to Atlanta in 4 and Jacksonville FL in 8 or 10 hrs. That is the same amount of time it takes to drive to O'hare, sit and wait, board, sit, fly, sit, wait, drive to your hotel...
There is literally NO city in Japan that can't be reached by train. A first class ticket from Tokyo to Nagano is $30 plus you get real food on board. European (spit) rail is also efficient in cost and scope.
Rail reduces pressure on the Interstate system, reduces cargo costs and reduces air travel costs IF we can make it attractive to the "GET ME THERE NOW" crowd...
I say President Bush should outline the plan and just dare the US People NOT to do it!
G