BOB2 Wrote:
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> The lesson that should be learned, from the
> differing experiences and outcomes of Brightline
> and the CAHSRA, regardless of if it is a public or
> private investment in infrastucture, is that bad
> planning (like the "private" project in
> Indiana...) almost inevitably leads to bad
> projects... Plenty of poorly planned, bloated,
> and costly highway and transit projects could
> learn the same lessons from these contrasting
> examples "case studies" in HSR...

The main lesson I've learned from Brightline is that it really, really, really helps to have a cooperative and supportive railroad. The lack thereof made it much more difficult than it should have been to implement the Downeaster service between Boston, Portland Maine, and subsequently Brunswick, Maine. Elsewhere, railroads have thrown too many barriers in the way of public entities seeking to operate new commuter rail and intercity passenger rail operators.