California's Troubled Bullet Train: Time for a Mercy Killing?
The California bullet train project has become a symbol of ambition gone wrong, with rising costs and delays making its future uncertain. President Donald Trump recently criticized the project, calling it "the worst-managed project" he’s ever seen. His comments followed a report from the project’s inspector general, which warned that the first phase, connecting Merced and Bakersfield, is unlikely to meet its 2033 deadline due to increasing risks and setbacks.
The project began with a 2008 voter-approved $9.95 billion bond and was supposed to create a statewide rail system. However, only 119 miles of the planned route have been completed, and it has struggled to stay on track. Governor Gavin Newsom, initially critical of the project, changed his stance as the Biden administration provided more federal support. But the cost of completing just the Merced-Bakersfield section has grown to $35.3 billion, far exceeding the original estimate for the entire system.
Originally, the bullet train was seen as a way to reduce California’s carbon emissions by cutting down on car travel. But with Californians driving nearly a billion miles a day, the projected reduction of 10 million miles a day from the train’s service would have a minimal impact. Experts argue that using the funds for more direct carbon-reduction efforts, like wildfire prevention, would be a smarter use of resources.
The total cost to complete the entire project is now estimated at $107 billion, but the state still doesn’t know how to fully fund even the first phase. Trump’s opposition adds to the project’s uncertainty. With such a long history of issues, it may be time to reconsider the bullet train and possibly shut it down for good.
