CA: State high-speed train rides to be costlier, ridership lower than promised to voters

Mercury News ^ | 12/15/09 | Mike Rosenberg

[NormsRevenge]

Those hoping to ride the state's high-speed train next decade will have to dig much deeper into their wallets than officials originally thought, a harsh reality that will chase away millions of passengers, according to an updated business plan released Monday.

The average ticket on the bullet train from San Francisco to Los Angeles is now estimated to cost about $105, or 83 percent of comparable airfare. Last year, the state said prices would be set at 50 percent of comparable airfare and predicted a ticket from San Francisco to Los Angeles would cost $55.

As a result of the higher fares, state officials now think the service will attract 41 million annual riders by 2035, down from last year's prediction of 55 million passengers by 2030.

Finally, the cost of the project — recently pegged at $33.6 billion in 2008 dollars — is now estimated at $42.6 billion in time-of-construction dollars.

The gloomy forecasts are included in the California High-Speed Rail Authority's updated business plan, which the state Legislature required the authority to submit by today.

The authority last produced a business plan in 2008. State officials had used what turned out to be optimistic ridership and ticket price forecasts in presenting a $9.9 billion bond measure called Proposition 1A, which voters approved in November 2008.

Authority Deputy Director Jeff Barker said while the numbers have changed, the "spirit of what the people voted for" with Proposition 1A remains the same.

[NormsRevenge]

One more lump of coal in the voters Xmas stickings..

[NormsRevenge]

while the numbers have changed, the “spirit of what the people voted for” with Proposition 1A remains the same.

—

Would those be pre- or post-stimulus voters?

You can sell anything to an uninformed, well-indoctrinated mass of doofs like California voters... and if you’re lucky, get them to pay top dollar for the excesses too.

[Pessimist]

No problem. They can just tack a special tax on airfare between SF and LA and take it for the trains.

That’s the way things are gonna work anymore...

[AngelesCrestHighway]

....I guess they will have to count on a lot of foreign tourists for ridership. Between them, the poor and the very rich thats all that will be left in good ‘ol Kalifonia

[driftdiver]

The thing isn’t even built and the cost has gone up ~40%. Any bets that it won’t end up about 80 billion dollars before they are done?

[AngelesCrestHighway]

“Those hoping to ride the state’s high-speed train next decade will have to dig much deeper into their wallets than officials originally thought”.....

Oh sure!.....dig all you want....all you’ll find is pocket lint.

[battlecry]

I was thinking the same thing. Once (if) it it built, they will tax the airline competition.

Is that even legal, though?

[C19fan]

Seems like the money could be better spent increasing capacity at the airports and fixing up I-5 in the Central Valley. There no way a family is going to shell out $400 or more to take the train say from No Cal to Disneyland.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Good luck with that boondoggle! L.O.L.!

[facedown]

Is that even legal, though?

Since when did that matter in Californistan?

[C19fan]

I guess since flights from say SFO to LAX do not cross state boundaries The Feds have no say on the matter.

[incredulous joe]

“Is that even legal, though?”

You’re kidding, right?

Like that matters.

[Teacher317]

Underestimated and underperforming? That NEVER happens with government programs!!

[C19fan]

Finally, the cost of the project — recently pegged at $33.6 billion in 2008 dollars — is now estimated at $42.6 billion in time-of-construction dollars.

In one year costs have increased by 25%.

[WOBBLY BOB]

Wille Green is not amused.

[NormsRevenge]

Sac bee

The Buzz: California high-speed rail estimate jumps $9 billion

http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/2395807.html

Cost estimates for California’s high-speed rail line from San Francisco to Anaheim jumped from $33.6 billion to $42.6 billion .. new business plan released Monday. The main difference? .. inflation costs between 2012 and 2020, when .. construction would take place. .. relies on $17 billion to $19 billion in federal dollars over that period.

[neodad]

Willie Green is deeply saddened.

[cups]

I wonder if this accounts for all those enviro-tards who are going to sue to stop the contruction of this railine because it will affect the habitat for an endangered weed or microbe.

[from occupied ga]

CA: State high-speed train rides to be costlier, ridership lower than promised to voters

Rail costs more than the politicians promised and will have fewer riders. Wow. What a surprise. Who didn't see that coming?

However, politically favored construction companies will get a lot more taxpayer plunder than predicted, and the effort will provide a lot more high paying state jobs at the taxpayers expense. Again who didn't see that coming?

[Uncle Hal]

Just double the cost and fare figures and you will be about right. Transit projects always costs twice as much as projected and ridership is half as much as expected.