DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - California -- High Speed Trains

**Rasklad** · 07-09-2012, 11:33 PM

BBMW, I am uncertain if you are unaware or are dismissive of the truth that high speed railway systems can and do earn operating profits the world over, some significantly above their expenses. SNCF's TGV system, for example, earned profits of a half billion Euros during the worst of the recession. Once the capital costs of building high speed rail and it's associated infrastructure are paid, the actual business of operating the trains can be particularly lucrative, much the same way trucking companies earn large revenues off completed interstate roadway systems. Buttressing that example, too, is the fact that California intends to run its trains through a private operator on public infrastructure, again akin to private trucking companies and the interstate.

In the truest sense of the word, this will be an economic stimulant. In the next decade or two, tens of thousands of men and women will be earning living wages undertaking blue collar work that does not require advance training beyond how to operate a bulldozer or a shovel, how to pour concrete or string up catenary wire, how to assemble pre-fabricated train car and locomotive components, etc. Other businesses will be established to support these workers and to sap a bit of their newfound wealth. Additionally, we must factor in the many professionals who will also be advancing the system's progress through white-coillar work in some for or another.

This project is bigger than a stimulus, and no high speed railway system should be considered merely as such. They have numerous benifits that should break down partisan barriers:

1. They open and expand new markets while rejuvenating old ones.
2. They allow for an equitable distribution of jobs and residents throughout a region.
3. They expand tourism options exponentially.
4. They unclog strained airport runways and freeways of their intercity traffic and does so efficiently and while earning profits.
5. They are a safe and greener, and simply additional, alternative to cars and planes in a nation that cherishes choice.
6. Running on electricity permits their continued operation during oil price shocks and emergencies and directs petroleum dollars away from dictators.
7. They complement and bolster already existing infrastructure and cities.
8. They move massive amounts of people more efficiently over their prescribed distances than any other mode of transportation.
9. And so forth.

07-09-2012, 11:33 PM	#47
Rasklad Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 390 Senior Member	BBMW, I am uncertain if you are unaware or are dismissive of the truth that high speed railway systems can and do earn operating profits the world over, some significantly above their expenses. SNCF's TGV system, for example, earned profits of a half billion Euros during the worst of the recession. Once the capital costs of building high speed rail and it's associated infrastructure are paid, the actual business of operating the trains can be particularly lucrative, much the same way trucking companies earn large revenues off completed interstate roadway systems. Buttressing that example, too, is the fact that California intends to run its trains through a private operator on public infrastructure, again akin to private trucking companies and the interstate. In the truest sense of the word, this will be an economic stimulant. In the next decade or two, tens of thousands of men and women will be earning living wages undertaking blue collar work that does not require advance training beyond how to operate a bulldozer or a shovel, how to pour concrete or string up catenary wire, how to assemble pre-fabricated train car and locomotive components, etc. Other businesses will be established to support these workers and to sap a bit of their newfound wealth. Additionally, we must factor in the many professionals who will also be advancing the system's progress through white-coillar work in some for or another. This project is bigger than a stimulus, and no high speed railway system should be considered merely as such. They have numerous benifits that should break down partisan barriers: 1. They open and expand new markets while rejuvenating old ones. 2. They allow for an equitable distribution of jobs and residents throughout a region. 3. They expand tourism options exponentially. 4. They unclog strained airport runways and freeways of their intercity traffic and does so efficiently and while earning profits. 5. They are a safe and greener, and simply additional, alternative to cars and planes in a nation that cherishes choice. 6. Running on electricity permits their continued operation during oil price shocks and emergencies and directs petroleum dollars away from dictators. 7. They complement and bolster already existing infrastructure and cities. 8. They move massive amounts of people more efficiently over their prescribed distances than any other mode of transportation. 9. And so forth.
	Quote