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Smaller communities don't have the same level of commercial air service as larger communities.  It is the price of living in a smaller community or out in the country. Alternative modes of commercial transport to major population centers, which have excellent air service, may be justified.  The question is whether it should be a $40 billion railroad running between California's major population centers. It is 49 miles from Stockton to Sacramento.  It is 81 miles from Modesto to Sacramento.  It is 112 miles from Bakersfield to LAX.  In most instances it is an hour and half drive or a ride on a train or bus service. Southwest Airlines has nine flights a day at $80 a pop from Sacramento to LAX.  It also has numerous flights to Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Diego, etc.  Other carriers also compete with Southwest out of Sacramento.  If the justification for the high speed railroad is a connector from the cities along the line to a center with convenient air service, why does it have to run between LAX and San Francisco?   Why not have rapid rail connections between the cities mentioned above and a convenient city served by good air service? The San Joaquin's had an average load factor in FY 2008 of 38 per cent.  Even allowing for higher load factors on segments closer to the Bay Area, these trains, which lost $8.7 million before interest and depreciation, are lightly patronized.  The Capitols had an average load factor of 28.6 per cent and lost $14.2 million before interest and depreciation.  What makes you think that the high speed rail train will do any better, especially given your argument that it will be more functional for its intermediate stops than its end points? I have not heard from anyone who is supporting this project how they plan to pay for it, other than with government funds.  Of course, in a sense, given my view that these projects should be funded by the patrons or the taxpayers in the region served; it is none of my business.  Except the promoters have lined up to grab federal monies.  And I am a serious federal income tax payer.
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