Readers React: Build high-speed rail -- but for cities, not the entire state

To the editor: Surprise! The new estimate for constructing the first leg of California’s bullet train has increased by almost one-third. I can only imagine that the total cost for the entire length of the train will be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. (“At lawmakers’ urging, agency reveals report on growing bullet train costs,” Nov. 3)

And who would use the train?

We should instead build efficient transit systems in and around our congested population centers. In most cases we have the right of way: the freeways. Why not build fast people movers over the center of the freeways? That would also employ thousands of workers.

In time, millions of commuters would get out of their cars and take public transit, saving gasoline and time and reducing pollution. They could commute to and from work, read the newspaper or a book and arrive relaxed instead of being on the road for hours each day.

Peter Weisbrod, Laguna Beach

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To the editor: Here’s an idea: Instead of building high-speed rail from scratch from Los Angeles to San Francisco — with stops and curves and other items that will make it low-speed rail — why not have a Japanese or European company build one from L.A. to Las Vegas?

The right of way is established, there would be minimum community disruption, and the 15 Freeway wouldn’t be a parking lot every Friday and Sunday.

The profits from the trains and a couple of club cars could be used to help finance other rail projects in the state.

Darcy Vernier, Marina del Rey

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