That’s the same as flying
It is 180 miles from my home to Portland Oregon. It takes me 2.5-3 hours depending on traffic. Now if I was to drive to say Tacoma, that takes 45 minutes, go to a high speed rail parking lot and park. Wait for the train. There goes 1.5 hours for the theoretical High speed rail. At that point I am 1.5 hours from Portland. Drive or get on a train? I keep driving..... It will be the same with the LA to LV trip.
The people in charge are in on the grift PLUS they are psychologically messed up.