California bullet train cost surges by $2.8B

Re:California bullet train cost surges by $2.8B by cmurf on Wednesday January 17, 2018 @07:55PM (#16173668)

The question, again, is why is there such a big difference in the cost? What are taxpayers and consumers of this infrastructure getting in exchange for these higher costs? That is, what's the opportunity cost? Even if it's a cultural opportunity cost, knowing that is party of assessing if it's really worth it.

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Re:California bullet train cost surges by $2.8B by michaelt on Thursday January 18, 2018 @05:21AM (#16176000)

Did you read the New York Times link above?

The issue is in the absence of effective controls on corruption, it's in the self-interest of those holding the reigns to buy a $3 billion tunnel for $12 billion if the latter nets them $10 million in "campaign contributions"

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Re:California bullet train cost surges by $2.8B by ComputerGuru on Wednesday January 17, 2018 @08:47PM (#16173956)

Not the OP. I imagine unions and insurance play a huge role.

I’m not interested in starting a union/anti-union fight. Please.

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Re:California bullet train cost surges by $2.8B by cmurf on Thursday January 18, 2018 @12:05AM (#16174837)

I find it hard to believe U.S. unions and insurance are more expensive than their equivalents in other countries, but maybe - seeing as health insurance is universal everywhere except in the U.S.

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