You had low speed rail. SP used to run the San Joaquin and Coast Daylights. You are all aware of the popularity of the present day passenger rail use as there are only two daily trains (one in each direction) that run through from north to south and reverse by Amtrak. It just doesn't pay. Carol is right, It's just local pork by politicians. If it was heavily populated, they would be running at least three trains a day through in each direction. The tracks are already there and there is still no demand for it. Until the general public demands HSR there is no reason to build it except for the jobs created that the politicians can blow off their big mouths about and how many of those jobs would remain permanent after the project is completed? All at taxpayer expense too. Isn't that great? The State is broke and some people wonder why. This deal is just one of thousands of them.
:)