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Why are we comparing this new proposed rail system with Europe, where the distances are smaller! Compare it with rail systems in countries like India, which is two-third the size of America with long distances to travel and a railroad that is a century old (built by the British during their colonial rule). Despite that it is the most successful mode of transportation in that country. So if a century old system can work there why can’t a high speed Japan/Europe inspired system work here?

I lived in France for 2 years, and while I think this could be a good idea, I think it needs to be done carefully so that this doesn't turn into a big waste of money. I loved the train system in France and found it to be very convenient. However, people need to realize that it may cost just as much to ride the train as it does to fly. That's how it was in France. It is convenient because I didn't have to go through security every time I took the train like I do when I fly, but somehow I can't see that happening in the United States. I think this could be a great idea though, as long as it's planned well.

To one commenter who wrote: Great to hear! I ride the NE Corridor every holiday season to head home. It is not much quicker than if you traveled by car.

This is the thing that many are saying – you want all the high speed rail that is not feasible in the size of the US because you ride it "every holiday season" for this one and probably less for others. I agree with another poster in todays' age, if it is ever built, the thing will be like the dishwasher – great to have but then we get lazy and don't like loading or unloading it. The same with highspeed – love it maybe a couple of times a year but then the impatience sets in and it will be not worth the parking fees or the inconvenience of renting – it comes down to great ideas that when there, we get complacent about and return to our old habits of what is "convenient for us" and that's it. It will cme down to with the price of tickets, etc that most will eventually stick to their cars because it is easier. That's the life we live today – plain and simple.

@Chris

"The incompetence, naivety and arrogance of Obama is astonishing."

What the heck are you talking about?

This high speed rail plan is not incompetent. It does not show naiveté. Nor does it show arrogance.

It shows complete competence in his understanding that the US needs to move into the 21st century. Other countries are well ahead of us because prior Presidents (namely Reagan and both Bushes) spent money on wars and weapons that could have been used on infrastructure (like high speed rail), and improving schools. You seem to lack understanding of this fact.

Because of this, he is not naive, he is showing that he is aware that we can succeed in the areas that we failed in the past. If we do fail, it is because of nutjobs like yourself who are incapable of supporting the president.

He is not arrogant either. Confidence is not arrogance. Optimism is not arrogance. Our president is a good leader and is trying to do everything in his power to take our nation in the right direction. The only way we can move forward is by not moving backward. That is what the last eight years has shown us.

Bullet trains have been out for a while now and it's ashamed that we're just now going to be getting htis technology. Thank goodness we finally have a President who can lead us into the 21st century. I feel like we're the Flintstones and China are the Jetsons.

Another comment. It seems many of you want to have trains so you can leave your cars home. I hope you all understand that this cannot be accomplished with high speed trains. High speed needs open spaces and are more suitable for medium to long distance hauls, not urban and suburban transportation. It is also not very suitable for cargo transportation as very heavy masses would cause the rails to have to be almost perfectly straight or for the tracks to be widened and the train cars lowered to reduce centripetal forces. Just a clarification.

If people really wanted this, then a private business would build it. It is a good idea, but I should not be forced to pay for something I am not going to use. Similar to the unions, why should I have to pay a union to work. If I like the company, I should be able to work there without having to pay dues. It is called opt out. How about an opt in for these special government projects. If you like it, you can opt in with a higher tax and have access to the benefits.

Brilliant. I am looking forward to the mobility and joy that a real US Rail system comparable to EURAIL will give me in my retirement.

I am looking forward to the jobs and the culture that a modern rail system will create.

I am looking forward to America begin a 21st century nation at last.

I have many colleagues who live on the Easters Seaboard and commute via Acela (I hope I spelled it right). They have the best lifestyle of anyone (except the independently wealthy). Don't knock it until you've tried it.

In 10 years when oil is at $200.00/barrel we will be quite thankful that Obama had the vision to support the building of a high speed rail network. I have been on the highspeed trains in Europe and like them much better than airplanes! Btw, Republicans need to understand that they did lose the election and that Obama IS listening to the voters!

All you Nay sayers out there.......Obama is so far more advanced than any other President........he has the vision and the courage to do what no other President has ever done.........American is falling further behind because we have never had a President that would step up to the plate and make the hard discission that need to be made to bring this country back up to being #1........If Bush hadn't spent so much on this War and put this country so deep in debt, President Obama wouldn't have to be spending all this money trying to get our heads above water..........

Here's somethings that should be looked into before starting this thing and lead it to a wasteful government spending

1) Please please don't let the government run these systems
2) Identify all the heavily congested commuter routes where this transit system will have immediate impact
3) Open it to private companies and award it to the company with the best plan

Again this is a good idea but needs to implemented intelligently without letting lobbyists and congressmen screw it up by getting involved

Great idea!! like every other idea you have, Sir!!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Inat:

Your comment about trains working in other countries because they are small is invalid. I am originally from Russia (which i hope we all know is significantly larger than the US) and the trains there work great. I remember taking an overnight train from St. Petersburg to Moscow in the late 80's and it was fantastic and cheap. We also took trains out of the city to our summer homes / resorts and never had any issues. I have also used the train system in Europe to go from one coutry to another and it's fantastic. (by the way, Europe all taken together is pretty large too, and the trains run internationally). A train system in the states would be a wonderful thing, seeing as flying is overpriced and inconvenient. With all the layovers, delays, etc., it still takes all day to fly from one place to another. Trains would be so much cheaper and more efficient.

It's a very good idea. However, given the economic crisis were are currently in, how are we going to pay for this also?

Seth, it's my money. I'd rather it be spent here in the good ol' U.S. of A. than be sent on pallets to a country that we have no business being in. Call me crazy, but I'd like my tax dollars to be spent fixing up crumbling infrastructure and covering technological advances, such as rail travel.

I love driving my SUV and having full control. If I see something I want to visit, I have the ability to stop and see when I want on my schedule.

Amtrak is a money black hole. The only parts of that system that are profitable are the Eastern Corridor and the West Coast. Amtrak themselves admit this and have drastically cut back thier schedules in every other part of the country to attempt to stop the bleeding.

Rail makes sense in Europe, Rail may make sense on the east and west coasts here in the USA. The middle of this country is far to sparsely populated to have any sort of viability in rail transport regardless of how fast it can go.

Although I support the concept of public transportation - buses, subways, trains. Most if not all forms of public transportation run at a loss. That's the area that needs to be addressed before we tax people more for public transportation projects.

It is about time that someone finally took this plan to fruition....If folks want to get to the coast in hours...take a plane....If I want to just go to another region nearby, I can take the high speed rail....this is GREAT for our country, our pocketbooks, our air!

About time this country has a leader who understands the importance of high speed rail and building public transportation. Our interstate highways are in need of restoration and improvement. Our air quality is a continuing problem. Lack of public transportation is a disgrace. About time someone has grown a back bone and started moving this country into the 21st century, albeit kicking and screaming.

I think these trais will advance the American culture and open up areas that have been strong holds for ignorance. In may cities even progressive cities big shots keep people from surviving by keeping transportation away from thier living areas. That's why their daughters have to come to the ghetto.

A high speed train would be a winning endeavor on so many fronts.

Too bad it would be bogged down in red tape and bureaucratic non-sense.

If Obama really wants this to happen he has to MAKE it happen.

While I applaud Obama for his intent....and i'm a republican who voted Obama...the reality is we as a country cannot continue to spend at this rate for long.....billons in bailouts here...more billions there.....the problem is we don't have the money to spend!!!!

Even with an increase in taxes..which like it or not will more than likely have to happen...Obama is going to have to choose his battles for this term. We can't afford to do it all at once....my vote would be for alternative energies first.

What people need to realize is the more we as a country borrow the worse off we will be. We can't just print money without the gold to back it up.....We have to Borrow!!!!! The more this happens the lower the dollar will go....Can you imagine what woulds happen if the Rupee or the Won were worth more than the dollar. Things would be ten time worse than they are today!!!!

I can understand you have to spend to get to where we need to be but it can't all be done in four years!!!!! Especially with the economy in shape its in now!!!!

I remember when carter put solar panels on the white house republicans came in and shut it down when GM built electric cars republicans shut it down if there corpperate leaders oil companies war machine airlines healthcare or drug companies sees threat to there profit they will shut it down it will be a long bumpy drive to the 21st centry

Good for your President Obama. Other countries have been doing this for DECADES and has helped their economies greatly by supplying industries with a greater pool of skilled workers. This could allow you to live in one part of your state but go to work hundreds of miles away in another city or even state and be home for dinner that evening. With more access to various skilled workers around the country without having to absorb the cost of moving them or forcing them to absorb such a cost of relocating, companies will be more competetive in our national and global economies. The US can once again take the lead in innovation and success were we belong.

I trust President Obama a whole lot more than Newt and Rush. He is doing the right thing and he is thinking about everyone, not just right wingers.

Kudos Mr. President ! Keep up the great work.

2012 Obama/Biden

Leave it to a forward thinking man in Barack Obama to encourage future thinking in a fast rail system.

The incompetence, naivety and arrogance of Obama is astonishing.

@ set
Oh yes the war in Irak has created jobs. Wow wonderfull I've never heard such a stupidity in my life time.
The only job that war has created so far as far as I know is the construction of mortuaries and recruitment of mortuary crews for our hero dead soldiers and the civilians in Irak.

Politicians are all talk when it comes to better transportation. Remember when Bush promised us a car that could run on water and dependence from foreign oil? Yeah... about that...

Great news! We are hopelessly behind the rest of the industrialized world in this area.

Why is it that France and Japan can have ultra-fast, super-clean 300 MPH trains and we can't? Like Obama, I refuse to believe we can't do better in this regard.

My late grandmother, who used to work for the National Railroad Museum in Washington and had a bumper sticker on her car that read "I'd rather be on the train" is looking down and smiling right now.

Yea, finally a modern transportation system. We can stop being a 3rd world country in that area. Think of how much pollution and money that will save our citizens. Tax breaks for people willing to invest in this would be a wonderful idea.

Politicians are all talk when it comes to transportation. Remember when Bush promised us a car that could run on water and dependence from foreign oil? Yeah... about that...

Hurray! This is great news. Riding the train is a pleasure and getting more cars off the roads will be good for everyone in the long run. Imagine Boston to D.C. in an hour and a half. It couldn't get better than that.

What a waste of money. Once again Obama wants to be just like Europe. Rail works in Europe because the distances between cities and towns is short compared with the U.S. You take the train from London to Paris. You fly from Chicago to L.A. How many ways can Obama bankrupt our country? Apparently far too many.

This is insane. NO talk about highspeed rail in the West or MidWest. Excuse me but doesnt the NE Corridor already have rail service! How about those people who would perfer to take a train from Dallas to El Paso? From Dallas to anywhere!!! Give me a break.

I love this president. I really do.

Obama 2012

Tea partiers need to get off the bottle. This president is doing fine.

NYC to LA by train still won't be a viable option when you have to make stops in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Denver, and Las Vegas. The only place in the US where rail can work effectively is the Boston to DC. Beyond that, the route structure and population density just don't make sense.

Europe and the U.S. are not comparable in terms of rail. 114 people/square km vs 31. Makes a bit of a difference.

Obama whats this another DISTRACTION. Unemployment claims at 6 mill and housing starts at lowest level ever and you think rail. Obama you need to get a GRIP ON REALITY. Obama you are not taking care of the people, obama you have destroyed the anerican dream.

Hurray, Finally a good idea! Please Mr Obama make sure that the money
isn't wasted.

Obama is trying to actualize what most transportation planners know is a complete no-brainer. Train travel is more convenient, more comfortable, MUCH more energy efficient, MUCH less polluting, and cheaper than air travel. It is also a major factor in getting cars off the roads and highways, thus reducing congestion, pollution, never-ending infrastructure costs and deaths from car travel.

First of all, I almost forgot the President was a working position– this guy does work hard.

Secondly, some commenters need to be reminded just how successful this country was when money was circulated within our economy instead of going directly overseas with little benefit at home.

It makes logical sense. Far better for the environment vs planes that release emissions directly into the atmosphere, but it hasn't worked because no-one seems to be able to make a profit from it. Seems like Amtrak is bailed out as many times as K-Mart. Maybe it's because of the permanency of the routes, whereby coaches can go anywhere for a much lower cost, and the time it takes (which is comparable to a coach). I can only see this working in the same way as Japan's bullet train, from major destination to major destination, as it would be fast and as green as the power source.

My two bits? The government should be involved in making greyhound and other mass transit bus systems faster (dedicated lanes for buses that allow for higher speeds than 70) and / or greener. It is more flexible, and easier to alter any problems should they arise.

Good lord... Obama goes to Europe and says "I want one of those (high speed train), one of those (universal healthcare), and three of THOSE (French white surrender flags)"

Obama is a spendthrift weilding the American People's Checkbook.

Now they're trying to take away cars, what's next that this administration what's next to try and take away. Freedom means I can drive my own car. This is a lame idea. And of course more spending!!!

If it was up to the republicans We will still be riding chariots all accross America since they are against any sort of spending.
They are against progress and just love the way they live even if it's bad and other countries are moving forword.
Oh I forgot they call themselves conservatives. The Old way is just fine.
Conservatism = Antiprogress

This is a joke. It costs tens of millions of dollars and a full ten years to add a single new Metro station here in the DC area. Can you imagine the billions this would cost, and an estimated arrival of what... 2080? 2140?

Another example of a Liberal nutjob setting in motion spending that pretty much can't be halted or reversed by the future, more spending-conscious Presidents.

The USA finds 21st century thats a long jump from the 1950

this is long overdue!

Awesome idea!!! Keep your incredible work coming Obama, so refreshing!

If the Republicans were still running the country there would be a host of things we'd be missing, namely:

Civil Liberties, Respect in the World, Credibility, Social Security, Women's Rights, Pursuit of Science, Separation of Church & State....and an effective rail system.

Anyway, it's about time we started acting like the rest of the civilzed world and had a train system that worked. I live in Seattle and would much prefer to ride the train than fly / drive for shorter trips.

And I'm tired of Republicans whining about taxes! Don't spend $20B a month invading a country that didn't attack us and then complain that the government is building train tracks at home. If the radical right had their way, we'd all be living on a ranch and skining squirrels for lunch with a bible in our back pocket.

All those who want trains, light rail, express buses, please please visit san francisco bay area.. that network is great, schedules are great but they are all running into loses. no one uses them, yes we liberals don't like to use them, but like to see them rolling

we here keep paying higher taxes to keep them running so that we can show off as fuel saving, good thinking, environment safe people in the world.

obama is a salesman trying to sell products that have no value to this country. please don't compare european train/transit networks to what we dont' have here. North east may be an exception. For the rest of the country its a total waste. We don't have such a high density of population

America's dependence on Automobiles needs to come to an end. Automobiles have not progressed since the inception in the early 1900's aside from creature comforts. It is still a hunk of metal with an internal combustion engine with rubber tires. The "Not so Big Three" and "Bigger Oil" have lobbied against public transportation for years, and with the demise of Chrysler and GM looming, projects such as this may actually see the light of day. Americans need to realize that automobiles are not luxuries and extensions of your personality. It is simply a tool to get from Point A to Point B, no different than a train, bus or plane.

For those of you complaining about debt, things such as rail, health care and a cleaner environment are all going to benefit future generations. Tax cuts for the rich won't.

all of you sheep on here knocking mass transit need to wake up. I'm from NC and now I live in Osaka, Japan. I'm embarrassed at the lack of technological advancements we have made with transit. Shanghai has a "maglev" train. It recorded a record of 311mph. Can you imagine people who wanna travel up and down the east and west coast or back and forth between coasts with this thing? I think it would be amazing to take trips across the states on it. Transit here in Japan is up to the minute accurate. Most of trains are electric. I love to ride on a bullte train or "shinkansen." Fun, comfortable, cheap, and well fast! I miss having a car but it is a pure waste of money here in Japan. The USA needs to get with the times and go back to being a leader and not a shunning every idea that doesn't feed the oil machine.

If you're going to spend $$ on trains, how about expanding and maintaining what we already have? Here in Atlanta, public transportation is so underfunded that they're talking about shutting it down one day a week. My train broke down twice this week alone. Sometimes they catch fire. I've ridden a bus once in this city. I got on. Two blocks into my ride, the bus crashed. The next one came an hour later. Sorry, we don't need a sparkly monorail right now. That's as wasteful as going back to the moon. Have a nice day!

It is about time this country has a high speed train system like we have in France. Try it and you would love it too !

I love it............long overdue. It's also amusing to see some posters here say that Amtrak is hardly used blah, blah, blah. The last time I took Amtrak (January) both the regional and long-distance trains were packed..........there was even standing room only for a couple of the long-distance legs.

This country has stood on the sidelines and avoided building a robust third leg of the transportation stool (planes, trains and automobiles) for far too long.

Kudos to our President.

If Obama hasn't raised taxes on anyone thats good lets keep it that way! While your at it why not reduce taxes for ALL americans. No person making less than the average congressional salary should have to pay a dime in income OR employer taxes. Period!

If there isn't enough money then LOWER congressional salaries until there is OR lower spending until we balance the budget. Now if those thieves in DC (District of Corruption) get to the point of where they aren't making a "living wage" they can always quit and let someone take the job for $25 an hour (for those "hours" actually spent on the floor of Congress). Just think how Congress Criters would feel making $35K a year and how much better they would represent us the people who raise families on less.

This is a positive move that will help us move away from the stranglehold of big oil, provide many jobs to many who need them, and help reduce this country's contibutions to global warming. Of course it has a price tag, everything does. This plan if implemented is progress, because over time it will be faster and much less expensive to travel versus our only current choice to drive our fossil fuel hungry vehicles over our dilapidated interstate highway system.

Please please please.... put one in the length of I-35 (especially here in Texas, don't pay attention to our 'haircut' governor). That would be fantastic....It would create a ton of work and commerce between cities here.

Tina in NC – yeah, Obama gave everyone a tax cut??? Have you lost your mind?? He gave the middle class the equivalent of $1.00 a day.
Yeah, that's right a dollar a day. Give me a break!!
Don't spew his rhetoric without knowing what you are talking about.
He should be brought to the public square and tar and feather him. He is a joke, and an idiot.

@ me in big D... This is an investment in our future, not just giving billions of our dollars to the freinds of the Pres in no-bid contracts. Where was your outrage when your fellow Texan was spending with no results or no oversite. The government was producing surpluses when Clinton left office, now because of Bush's out of control spending, Obama has no choice but to invest to get us out of the hole the Republicans left us in. Once this mess is over, the Dems will once again move back to Fiscal Responsibility.

The country is too large for this to be feasible. You'd travel half a day between states. European countries are small compared to the US so you can tour the country in a day.

The reason we have not had a decent rail system in this country is because of the oil companies, auto and tire manufacturers. In LA in the 30s they had a rail system and they ripped it out and built freeways. Imagine the implications, more people dying, trucking costing more to get goods from one place to another. Rail is the way to go and I hope this happens. But with the big lobbyists in Washington, I am not holding my breath. They don't do what is right for the people, only what is right for more greed and money for the corporations they represent.

Yepee, Finally a 21st century President. It's refreshing to know we have a leader in office that could move this country forward. Can't wait!

I personally don't agree with Obama on most issues and this is one of them but not because it isn't a good idea. The plan is wonderful in theory. But getting people to go to a train station and have to pay to park their cars in an expensive garage will deter it. Also, if you are going anywhere, you will still need to rent a car most of the time, which just kills the idea too. Again, I like the idea but I just don't think it would take off and I believe most people would either fly or drive to be honest. Keep working on energy issues and I am hopeful they will come up with some better solutions.

leo April 16th, 2009 10:58 am ET
Finally, as an American that lived in Europe and enjoyed the way they travel over there, the US rail and means of transportation is a joke, about time, This is going to save us so much time and money in the future.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You are correct. The European rail system is worlds apart in comparison to the American rail system. One can travel from London to Paris in no time. Some good shepard's pie, short train ride and then some nice cognac. Aaaaaaah.....brilliant, I love it!

A high-speed system might counter the fact that travel distances between destinations are much further apart in the United States.

solar panels......high speed rails.......yes!

Next..............ships to do patrolling in those pirate waters to protect
ships....................................yes!

Jobs...................jobs......................jobs..................................

What an insane idea. High speed rail??

The country is stone broke, businesses are going under daily, and now we're getting a fast choo-choo train. Obama is spending money like a drunken sailor. YOUR money.

lol @ Tina justifying the actions of the democrats by comparing them to neo-conservatives hawks

Real fiscal conservatives didn't like Bush any more than you did

Great, very needed system and investment. Comparable to Eisenhower and US democratically elected government building national highway system. ..... I fully support pres Obama. Now back to Universal Health care system

Anonymous April 16th, 2009 11:03 am ET
What happend to all the other "pet" projects he started? Start one then another then another and so on and so forth infinitum and FINISH NONE!!! Typical big dreamer!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Uh, ya know, it's been less than 100 DAYS since he took the oath of office...... and it's called "multi-tasking".

These "pet" projects are what he promised to do in his campaign. I find it refreshing to have a President who actually does what he promised. Unlike "commander and Thief" that we just suffered 8 years of.

And when did it become un-American to dream big? You Republicans have no new ideas and nothing but mean spirited rhetoric. I believe in these United States and the big ideas that separate us from all other nations.

If you want to gripe, that's your right. At least THINK before you spout.

Exciting!!!! A great idea!!!!!!

I would contribute dearly to this idea. This saves not only congestion but protects environments and creates jobs and above all lot of peace of mind. Great idea !! Amtrak has good service, but travels at snail's pace. This change is long overdue.

To be effective, the model will have to meet Europe to T, which means two rails, minimum, would have to be built. One is the cheaper, local connectors. These rails would make more frequent stops more like a commuter rail. Such a line from Boston to Philadelphia would also make stops in Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey. Then there would also be the express rail that, to continue the Boston to Philly run, would only stop in New York on the way. Like Europe, for this express train to be effective it will have to run on a dedicated express line. This express train would be considerably more expensive. While I love the idea of rail transit, the US may be too big to make it effective and it will certainly not get rid of air travel in this country. There will never be train that is as cost effective as a flight from New York to LA.

Finally something that makes sense from this bunch, but it is really just lip service unfortunately, nothing will happen. We will socialize health care, start putting conservatives in concentration camps and ban talk radio before this will happen. Obama has the agenda you know. (The agenda actually belongs to George Soros, but he uses Obama as his puppet).

GREAT! We need this. Awesome plan! LOOOOONG overdue.

WOW! I can't believe it. This is so overdue. Traveling on a plane has become a pathetic experience, and the airline industry is very rude to it's passengers.

We need a massive transportation overhaul from West to East, North and South. We need to build it underground so that we can move at the speed of sound.

We need it now, and we needed it 40 years ago!

Right on, President Obama! My wife and I have lived in France over a year, travelled throughout that country, were able to visit several other European countries as well, with so much ease and comfort, because of the fantastic rail service there. We also spent time in Japan, where everyone travels by train. There is so much more expediency and conservation. It just makes so much sense! Bravo!

no new taxes – small income tax decrease results in increase taxes on rich smokers, drinkers, insurance on the rich peoples cars, increase in electric bills for the rich home owners. This has no effect on 95% of Americans. I am sure they can design a tax on the rail system that the non users of the system can pay for it.

In many European cities, residents don't need cars because mass transit is so prevalent. On occasions when there is a desire to travel independently, a rental car serves the purpose.

The American auto and oil industries will fight tooth and nail against mass transit in the US, just as the insurance industry is fighting health care reform.

Fortunately America finally has a president who is not beholden to these industries.

I was just in Japan a few months ago. If there was any one thing about Japan that was FAR superior to the US, it was the amazing train system. If we had a train system like that, we'd get to where we're going more efficiently, and I wouldn't need to drive a car (nor would I want to).

That's not even mentioning the amount of JOBS this will create! Bravo Mr. Obama, I knew I was right to vote for you!

Great, but what are these high speed trains going to operate on? Certainly not the rails out there now that are in disrepair across the country. Amtrack is in the news quite a bit due to accidents; whether it be from human error or maintenace problems. Get our rail companies current infrastructure fixed first before thinking of putting high speed trains on them. I don't remember anything mentioned on this in the past; roads, bridges, bank and auto bailouts but not railroad maintenace. My oversight I guess.

Thank God for the railroads in this nation during WWII (I remember them) giving our nation great transportation to do what had to be done to save our country–my parents (Greatest Generation) were able to get to their jobs quickly and efficiently for the war effort and our military folks had railroads to get them home on furloughs. I remember many men in uniform on the trains.

We my family left California for Oregon, a few months later the passenger trains started to disappear. Then the freeways displaced farms and families and we got the mess we have today.

I would LOVe to be able to ride the rails again! The ones that exist now need to be upgraded.

This is great. Detroit and the rest of Michigan could really use the jobs constructing the system. Someone said that this was another "pet project" Obama hasn't finished yet. He's been in office three months. None of his projects will be done yet. Plus, how is it a "pet project" if it creates thousands of jobs, helps us decrease dependence on foreign oil and could alleviate traffic and pollution?

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! Great things will come out of this First of all were going into the 21ST Century Second JOBS BABY JOBS! Third we will cut down on traffic congestion and Fuel consumption. President Obama Thanks for Getting us up into the 21st Century and Creating Jobs and saving the Planet at the same time!

inat April 16th, 2009 11:09 am ET

you know why the other countries have successful passenger trains? B/C they are SMALL and it doesnt take days to get from one end to the other…..

inat, that is the most sensible comment I've read on here!

This would be monumental. Totally awesome. Bring it on, Barack!

Finally. If for no other reason the number of foreign tourists who will travel by train will be a great boost to the economy.

I have seen many parts of Europe that I would have been afraid to rent a car to get to because of Eurail.

Another great move Mr. President.

Wait, Mr. President. Fox News said this rail line was going from Disneyland to Las Vegas! You mean that's not true?

I've been waiting for this. While it is hard to accept the enormous amounts of money being spent, I can handle it if it brings us into the 21st century. Energy independence and better transportation systems will benefit our children and grandchildren. National improvements require government intervention since it crosses state lines. We haven't made a national investment that benefits the entire country since the 1950's. Obama's got it right and I applaud his courage for trying to move us forward. The best time to progress is in the toughest times. When times are good, no one cares. It's kind of a weird thought process but that's how peoples' minds work. As they say, when times get tough, the tough get going.

Obama's 'high speed railing' of the U.S. already occurred with the passing of his ridiculous stimulus and budget. The taxpayers are going to be railed for generations.

"to be followed by more taxes. Each American is now on the hook for about $ 180,000, courtesy of Barack Hussein. How does that feel?
Do you know what the interest is on $56 trillion? Your grandchildren will be able to tell you."

Unless the stimulus works and GDP increases.

You people have no understanding of economics.

"…and it doesn't matter what the voters say, cuz obama says so… that goes for immigration reform too. screw the voters. the government makes the decisions now, and we'll work for them."

This is the difference between a representative democracy and a direct democracy. When you elect somebody, that is the voter saying their opinion. Then the representative government makes the decisions.

I wonder if a high speed train from LA to Las Vegas will be first? Now where did I hear that denial before???

It is disappointing that the long distances, congestion and rapidly increasing population in the Southwest do not make the list of rail corridors. It would be ideal to connect Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles.

How Much? Why doesn't free enterprise do this? Too expensive? Does not make economic sense? Sounds like a good investment for us taxpayers. I am sure the polls will answer this since we are a govt that makes decisions by poll

sene April 16th, 2009 10:55 am ET

"I'm sick of these people talking about spending. You have to spend to keep your counrty going into the future. What we didn't need to spend 10 billion dollars a day on was on an unjust war. Where were you when that was going on, inquiring minds want to know???????"

Well sene, I was actually fighting in that "unjust war" that removed an evil dictator. It was also 10 billion a MONTH, not a day, what a gross mischaracterization. Why don't you even bat an eye when Obama outspends the entire Iraq war in a couple of months? BTW, most people don't realize that the war in Iraq produced many jobs, probably more than Obama and his sod laying stimulus! Look, the real fact of the matter is that most people are overwhelmed with how much B.O. is spending, it simply dwarfs what Bush did in his EIGHT YEARS (even though he spend like an idiot as well).

finally ! airplanes are inefficient. trains can hit high speeds and hold more people. BUT the money invested is insufficient

I know....., leta put those 610,000 American laidoff last week out in the desert building that train from Las Vegas to LA. And the 660,000 Americans laid off the week before building that train from Chiago to Las Vegas. And the 650,000 Americas laid off from the week before that building that train from DC to Las Vegas.

Yeah! Thats the progressive job creation ticket!!

For all those who praise the plan have you ever listened to or watched CNN TV that has discussed this and said it is a futile effort. They have had experts on discussing this same topic and saying that the idea is great but the putting it into practice is practically impossible. They point to California who has been trying to do this for years and years now and are still not to the point of implemenation or anywhere near it. Before you start gushing over how wonderful Obama is try enlightening yourself on the facts that CNN has itself put forth on this topic and see how so many of those in the know say it is not worth the money.

Its about time. I've never understood why the country that invented the railway doesn't have a proper passenger train system.

Spend, spend, spend!!!

Never let a good crisis go to waste...

"What happend to all the other "pet" projects he started? Start one then another then another and so on and so forth infinitum and FINISH NONE!!! Typical big dreamer!"

Nothing gets done immediately. The president is able to multitask, compared to the last president who could only do one thing at a time, and even that he would do poorly.

Think of the kinds of investments in jobs and small business opportunities this can generate....its a no brainer.

Its about time, Hopefully these are those maglev trains that don't travel on traditional train tracks.
I like travelling through the US on the interstate system but highspeed rail is the next best thing

The idea is interesting but I would like to see the numbers.

The airline industry is suffering because of lack of demand. There is over capacity. If the US creates this high railroad capacity it will definitely compete with the airlines in some routes and surely enough eventually kill those routes. Especially if the government subsidizes the fares. If it is private investment it is good. Let competition dictate winners and losers.

I do believe however the best usage of railroads is heavy transportation where high speed rails are not so prevalent, but again that causes a problem with the longer truck routes, medium and long range, and I am not sure this is politically viable.

I must confess there is a romantic appeal to trains though.

This is actually one Obama policy even I can support. I fly a lot, and air travel, particularly to Eastern airports, is painful. If there were rail lines with 300 MPH trains, most East Coast travel could be done faster by rail, and 100 times more comfortable.

It would be prudent to do a cost/benefit analysis before too much is spent. Seriously, what good would this do if no one uses it? Start it up in a pilot program, and if it proves itself out, fine.

Once you experience high speed rail I guarantee you will like it and use it.We were able to experience this when we visited SouthKorea last year.

i am grateful to our president for having a vision to improve our ailing country. for 8 years all our money plus all bush could borrow from china went to wars. bush was spending billions in iraq to rebuild what he was destoying while all the while the USA was suffering from years of neglect . our cities,schools and parks look old, dirty and in desperate need of improvement but was ignored by washington. we have elected a strong spirited leader that has vowed to turn this country around and so far he is doing evrything he promised the american people.

Yeah...this will work. How long have the taxpayers been keeping AMTRAK alive despite the fact that almost nobody uses it??

I've spent 11 years in Europe and loved the public transportation system there, but this isn't Europe. Americans love their cars too much.

Tax cuts for everyone in 2010...but just wait until 2011.

Finally. I was in Australia in 2003 and their light rail in the city (both Sydney and Melbourne) made Chicago look bad. And Chicago has one of the best systems in the US. It is _so_ much nicer to be able to travel without a car to large cities like that. I already take the amtrak to Chicago and it would be nice if it could be done in half the time (or less).

As for cost, people don't understand how subsidized our paved roads are. You would have a better understanding if you paid a toll everywhere you drove in your car instead of income/property taxes. Not to mention car payments and car insurance. If we spent less on roads and more on rail, 'we', as a people, would save money in the long run.

To Gregg:
I have never seen the disrespect shown to a President like it has been with President Obama.

Are you kidding me? Were you asleep for eight years...lol. Talk about disrespect....get a clue obamabot.

This is the kind of thing that America needs: job creation that benefits the environment and the needs of working people in some of the most congested areas of the country. Every time I go back east I marvel at the terrible traffic and pollution. This is a way to solve that problem, and create jobs in the bargain. Thank you to President Obama and his team for bringing us into the 21st century.

More spending.... April 16th, 2009 10:48 am ET

to be followed by more taxes. Each American is now on the hook for about $ 180,000, courtesy of Barack Hussein. How does that feel?

Where were you for the last eight years??
Actually it feels good to see this country spending money on technology that will create jobs and better the USA, and not some hell hole of a foreign country that we had no business being in.

High speed rails will
– Save money for citizens
– helps protect environment
– makes quality of life better for citizens
– reduce accident related deaths and injuries
– increase commerce
– increase travel
– increase revenue for federal government
– puts lot of people back to work engineering,building,running and maintaining these rails.

and this is just a short list I came up with in few seconds. Great work Pres. Obama and his Secretary of Transportation – Republican Ray Lahood. Yes – this is also an act of bipartisanship.

1. This rail system is designed for regional travel, not cross-country. You can stop complaining about the size of our nation.

2. Boy, did we make a smart choice with our president. Finally bringing us out of sprawling 1960s into the 21st century.

I'm so tired of people going on about taxes and the deficit. You have no idea how stupid you sound. First, Obama has actually lowered taxes for most Americans and hasn't raised taxes on anyone. So I guess you are protesting the Bush Administrations tax policies 8 yrs too late. Second, you have NO credibility to talk about deficits when it was your party that was responsible for the largest one in history. Name one good thing that Bush bought you on that credit card. I would have preferred better health care and better schools for my children.

As for high speed rail, it's a long overdue investment.

This is a great idea, we'll have to make sure that there are vouchers printed so that people that don't work will be able to use it too. I hate to think that they won't be able to go spend thier government check in another city. While EVERYONE else is working to support them, they can "see the country". I agree, this will be something that NO ONE that pays taxes to pay for it will ever use. I'm sure it'll make it easier for the illegal aliens to move about now. Hop on a train in San Diego and be in Kentucky the next day.

GOOD PLAN!!!

How about our President be respected for once!

This must be the payoff for Joe Biden for being the walking, talking life insurance policy for Barack Obama.

Kind'a like Dan Quayle was to Bush'41...and you thought those Bushes were dummies.

As much as I disagree with BO as President, I pray to God every night that he remains healthy.

Yeah, many on here say that he is keeping another campaign promise. If he is , then it will be another like all the rest--more money spent on useless things. He loves to spend OUR money and campaign before he does it!! When it gets done, let him use it instead of all that fuel for AF One!!

It's about time, we are so far behind the rest of the world its pathetic.

I took AmTrak from NC to NY last year, the ride was pleasant and, inexpensive compared to the airlines but it was a 10 hour trip!

This would give people an alternative to driving and flying, it would save fuel and generate economic growth in the areas around the high-speed rail stations.

This is LONG overdue! Good idea, Mr. President!

Great news! Mass transit systems will reduce America's oil consumption. It can save dollars and the environment. It is clearly an investment for America's future!

Ron, It does matter what the voters say. The voters have spoken and President Obama is fullfilling his promises. In case you missed it, there was an election on Nov. 4, 2008 and the voters spoke loudly and clearly. It irks me that people can't see the difference between spending (Bush) and investing (Obama).

If Obama is serious about reducing dependency on foreign oil (a big if), then he should eliminate subsidies that we are now paying to corn ethenol producers and eliminate tariffs for sugar-cane based ethenol. That would open the markets for sugar-cane ethenol that is produced in Brazil, Central America, and Africa (the poorest regions) and actually provide a viable low cost alternative to oil.

However, Obama is not really serious about this, so I expect that the current subsidies will continue and he will waste billions on high speed rails to and from nowhere.

I say, tax me. I won't whin of 100 dollars out of my paycheck...

Keep the BO nation out of this! they want to creat a system to herd people onto mass transit and we already know their idea never works when it comes to transit, look at amtrack, that speak volumes of stupity at it's best. You sheep that wants you to go by this way of transit, have these people raise your taxes forever and spend us into oblivion, then go ahead and do that.

Given trains are far more fuel efficient and less polluting than cars, buses or airplanes per passenger mile, high speed rail in the more congested areas make alot of sense. I already regularly take Amtrak from Richmond, VA to DC and New York, and its far more pleasant than driving or flying.

Bring back the Texas triangle rail plan! And next time don't let the Southwest Airlines lobbyists derail it.

Yes, if our government would just budget properly, public transportation can be and should be free, but the way, we pay $2000 for an army toilet seat and $5000 for a Kleenex, we'll have to still pay for public transportation.

ron: It was the voters who voted him in to office. You lost get over it....and More spending...please provide statistics with your rant..

After living in Europe for two years, I saw first hand the great advantage of rail travel. To be able to leave your car at home and hop the train to work and school would be the first step away from dependence on foreign oil. Of course the far-right will insist this is a terrible idea just as they have everything the president has suggested. After eight years of the incompetence of George W. Bush, to have in office a president like Barack Obama who approaches governing with education, intelligence, commom sense, good ideas and a clear picture of what this country needs to secure our future, has restored my faith in the country I love.

Wow, your country could catch up to the rest of the developed world if this keeps up. That would be great.

I have never seen the disrespect shown to a President like it has been with President Obama.

Have you ever realized they don't even cover him when he goes away when landing and when he comes back?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's about time we kick the petrolium and car companies in the A.. On this country by making mass tranist available at highspeed. We Americans are spoiled and need to look around us when we are on the roadways and take note of how many people are in each car we see, I can already tell you 1 person. When you look at that 1 person in every car you really don't have to wonder why we have Global Warming. WAKEUP AMERICA ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

you know why the other countries have successful passenger trains? B/C they are SMALL and it doesnt take days to get from one end to the other.....

To Jrzshor

Dang! You're right!! OKay we'll have to build UPPER bridges or underground railroads!!!

It also will boost tourism in certain parts of the country. For example most Tourist will likely come to New York when they visit America but if they can take a high speed rail from New York to Ohio they will likely do so and it will be a boost to Ohio tourism.

It just is amazing to me that we are even in the talking stage of this issue we should have had High Speed rail in this country a long time ago. Why do we continue to lag as far as important progress in this country.

Carol

I've been waiting for light rail in Virginia forever. The Commonwealth is finally getting lightrail from Norfolk to VA Beach. It should run from VA Beach to Richmond then connect with the D.C. Metro. This kind of project can produce so many jobs.

lol, yeah, just what we need! Lets spend more money on something no one will use. I like getting to the opposite coast in 4-6 hours – not days.

Absolutely! It is disgraceful that the USA remains so far behind other developed nations in passenger rail capacity.

Please note, Obama haters: yet another campaign promise kept. Obama has kept more campaign promises in the first three months than Bush did in eight years.

UH, he hasn't KEPT anything yet. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET!!!!! It's another promise. When you are sitting in the "super railway hub" in Chicago...then it will be a promise kept. Or was the promise to propose things?

Awesome!!!
It's about time our country gets caught up with technology.

This is definitely a great plan for an energy efficient public transportation system.

high speed rail would be fine. but the problem would be the gazillioin stops that the train would have to make between destinations.

if a high speed rail were to be built between dc and boston is could only be successful stopping in philly and nyc. but it will more than likely have another 10 stops!

Ron,
The voters HAVE spoken...we elected President Obama on the basis of his campaign promises, and this is one of them!

And did President Bush speak for me when he invaded a legitimate government? No. Yet you GOP lemmings followed him and called the rest of US unpatriotic! Hypocrasy of the most blatant type! Besides, the government is PAID to make decisions...it is what we elected them to do. What planet do YOU live on?

As for More spending....yes, there is a significant tax burden, courtesy of your friendly GOP. The greatest majority of that tax burden was put there by Bush's Administration, the war in Iraq, and irresponsible de-regulation of industries. Building/rebuilding our infrastructure, including rail systems, roads, bridges, public works, and moving toward a foreign oil free society is essential.

Bravo to the president's high speed rail plan. Not only is it long overdue but in this time of unemployment it will help in recovery. The current rail infrastructure in our country is in dire need up upgrading and the president's plan will require many to bring it up to modern standards. These new jobs coupled with the materials from many vendors will help to stimulate the economy. President Obama is working through the current economic crisis on many fronts. The combined effect of enlightened policies in energy, healthcare, education and transportation will employ millions and stimulate a return of optimism in the ability of our country and its citizens to recover from this debacle created by years of neglect and corruption.

I am really not an Obama fan but this is wonderful. The biggest problem though will be convincing Americans to get out of their cars and on to the train.

It's about time.

What happend to all the other "pet" projects he started? Start one then another then another and so on and so forth infinitum and FINISH NONE!!! Typical big dreamer!

Great ....Follow the lead of France and Spain, those are two of the countrys in the world that resemble the layout of the United States.
What a frigging joke. This obama guy is an Ass.

We already have a train boondoggle called Amtrak. Is this another one? I guess some more campaign contributors have to be paid off.

Great to hear! I ride the NE Corridor every holiday season to head home. It is not much quicker than if you traveled by car. I hope they come up with something to decrease the travel time from Boston to Philadelphia. Right now it is 5-6hrs. I would like to see 3 hours one day.

What about GA?? Please, could someone help the GA legislature understand that Atlanta and surrounding areas need a state funded transit system??

Since Amtrak was a great success now we need high speed rail? Sure Barry, and just where do you intend to get this money?? More taxes? Sure, big government! Holy crap are we in trouble until this idiot gets out of office.

Absolutely! It is disgraceful that the USA remains so far behind other developed nations in passenger rail capacity.

Please note, Obama haters: yet another campaign promise kept. Obama has kept more campaign promises in the first three months than Bush did in eight years.

I always said for a long time that this country needed a light rail system like the ones they have in europe and japan. It's long time due.

well done Obama.

Finally, as an American that lived in Europe and enjoyed the way they travel over there, the US rail and means of transportation is a joke, about time, This is going to save us so much time and money in the future.

I would travel the country and see the whole entire country... so reminiscent of Harry Potter on a train..

Spare me the grandchildren in debt stuff. People barely take care of their current children. Their would be lower rates of abuse, neglect and parents would do more for their children's education if they were held at the concern that they claim. The only thing that matters to you about your children's future is taxes, not if they get better healthcare and education? Wow. So at the end of the day it is all about the dollar, not about the child having an actual better life. I am all for the high speed rail. I WILL PAY MORE TAXES. Minority female educated Democrat here...and don't mind paying taxes...looks like the Republicans are the one with the patriotism issue.

FINALLY!!
This is a long term investment that would be good for US transport, the enviornment, and expecially jobs!

This is what a real President is like!

I'm loving it.

yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.... sorry planes.. no more flying... yes. yes.. yes.. to train..

This means nothing if it will not reduce the cost of a train ticket. Amtrak is robbery on the east coast.

Since we are going to have to pay for this, I demand to ride for free.

Hey hey hey!!

Finally!!! A better way for our business...I mean, transportation, transportation, LOL!!

If the Gov's want it, I say give it to em! Plus, for the Midwest, is gonna start right here in the hood. About time we have something important than Oprah...but today is the playoffs for the Hawks! Hell yeah!!

I'm sick of these people talking about spending. You have to spend to keep your counrty going into the future. What we didn't need to spend 10 billion dollars a day on was on an unjust war. Where were you when that was going on, inquiring minds want to know???????

High speed rail? I'd be happy with regular passenger trains.

Finally .............................................we are moving into the 21st century.

Thank you Mr.President!

Great!!! It's about time we revisited rail travel in this country.

Great idea. Bravo.

Congratulations President Obama for keeping another campaign promise to the folks that elected you!

...and it doesn't matter what the voters say, cuz obama says so... that goes for immigration reform too. screw the voters. the government makes the decisions now, and we'll work for them.

It's an awesome idea. Public transportation in the US is a joke and an embarassment.

to be followed by more taxes. Each American is now on the hook for about $ 180,000, courtesy of Barack Hussein. How does that feel?
Do you know what the interest is on $56 trillion? Your grandchildren will be able to tell you.