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[quote user="schlimm"] I think lost in the discussion (deliberately, I suspect) is this simple statement: Nearly 30 years after the original Paris-Lyon LGV opened, Azema says that the line has paid for itself. "paid for itself"  Period. Not paid for by the taxpayer by paying down the assets, as sam1 suggests (without evidence).  It may have taken too long for quick return venture capitalist types, but it has paid for itself.  So if the French model teaches us anything, it is that a HSR system, if done right, can not only cover current direct operating expenses, but also repay the original costs.  [/quote] The evidence can be found in the company's financial reports, as well as those of the French Government, which are available in English.  It takes quite a long time to wade through them and, perhaps most importantly, one needs to know how to read and understand government financial statements.  In addition, the GAO has looked at the TGV, amongst other high speed rail systems, and concluded that all of them depend on the hoist country government to pay for the infrastructure.  That is to say, the capital costs.  They have not paid for themselves, if by that term one means from the user's fares, and it is highly improbably that they ever will.
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