1) If it is such a good idea, are you willing to invest your money in it? Might be a good idea with other peoples money but is it a good idea with your money? If the federal people who wanted this would invest their retirement funds in it I would be more interested.
2) Why does the govt have to do this? Could private enterprise do this better? I would be more encouraged if this was a coalition of states initiating the idea than the federal govt.
3) The federal govt has looked me in the eyes and lied to my face too many times for me to trust them.
I do not mean to start an argument, these are just the thoughts that came to the top for me.
Unsubsidized rail systems would fare well against unsubsidized highways and airports. Just like they did prior to the 1920’s when the government started subsidizing highways and airports in direct competition with privately operated railroads.
When every airport and every stretch of highway operates sans public subsidy I will be thrilled to invest in rail because it is already a proven fact that rail can outcompete other modes when they’re on an equal footing.
Even with massive subsidies (direct and indirect) to highways the railroads still outcompete trucks in shipping freight.
On trips of over 500 miles airlines will still be more popular than rail (depending on if the TSA starts random cavity searches or not) but on trips of 500 miles or less HSR is very competitive and it becomes more so competitive if subsidies to the airports and the airlines are eliminated.