EDITORIAL: Boondoggle done wrong

Just talking about California's proposed bullet train makes us feel a bit like the late astronomer Carl Sagan, with all of these billions and billions being tossed about.

Not stars or galaxies in this case, but dollars.

And dollars that, even in the far lower amounts being spent in studying the high-speed rail line, aren't being spent very wisely.

When you're pitching a $45B project to the folks expected to foot the bill ---- the taxpayers ---- you'd think you'd try to get every detail just right.

But during a local presentation last week, representatives from the California High Speed Rail Authority unveiled their plans for an Escondido station ---- and rather than sharing a station with the existing Sprinter line, the high-speed rail line would stop a third of a mile away from the Escondido Transit Center.

Yes, state officials have abandoned the truly horrible idea of running the high-speed rail line along Centre City Parkway through Escondido. But that such an abomination was ever seriously considered shows how badly this project has already run off the tracks.

Now state rail planners want to run the high-speed rail line along Interstate 15, which brings its own problems. Chief among them is that it would seem to eliminate the possibility of a local and long-talked-about light-rail line running from Escondido to San Diego proper along I-15.

While we continue to believe that scarce transportation funds should be put into those methods that most people use ---- i.e., freeways ---- surely a light-rail line like the Sprinter or Coaster, or even an extension of the San Diego Trolley, makes far more sense than an expensive, intrusive and highly controversial bullet train.

The Sprinter, Coaster and Trolley are established, recognized brands in this region. People know what they are, and are comfortable ----- or at least familiar ---- with them. Should a light-rail line be built from Escondido to Mission Valley, there would be little need for a public education campaign to inform potential riders about it.

Even if it could be afforded, it could take years to acclimate people to a bullet train.

Frankly, the I-15 route for the bullet train makes little more sense than the Centre City Parkway route. If this is an example of the caliber of planning from the bullet train's proponents, the entire idea should probably be put to bed permanently.


