Higher costs for bullet train worth it, California officials say
Higher costs for bullet train worth it, California officials say
- November 2, 2011
- David Brownstone, economics professor, is quoted in the Los Angeles Times November 1, 2011
-----
From the LA Times:
Rail officials say the project is needed to keep California competitive economically
and accommodate the state's growing population, which is projected to increase by
20 million within the next 40 years. Without high-speed rail, the plan states, $171
billion will need to be spent in California on new highways and airport facilities.
Future funding for the project remains a major question. Even before the new cost
estimate, additional high-speed rail financial support faced a steep climb in Congress,
which has been looking for ways to reduce the federal budget deficit. "I don't see
where the financing is going to come from right now. The only way to do that is to
create some kind of revenue source, like a tax. I don't see the political will for
that today," said David Brownstone, an economics professor at UC Irvine, who has evaluated
the project's earlier ridership and revenue projections.
For the full story, please visit http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/california-bullet-train.html.
-----
Would you like to get more involved with the social sciences? Email us at communications@socsci.uci.edu to connect.
Related News Items
- Careet RightFrom neurorobotics to Riot Games
- Careet RightAwards and accolades for Anteater sociologists
- Careet RightSome question whether a popular affordable housing policy is making the nation's home shortage worse
- Careet RightWho's spending big, and where, in most expensive election cycle ever
- Careet RightThe AI deepfake election is starting to get litigious