It's sad that even great potential routes like SF->LA aren't accessible by train, and we don't seem to have the state capacity to build HSR there.
I was just in Japan, and took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, which is a similar distance as SF to LA.
That train:
- runs every 10 minutes -- if you miss one, just take the next one!
- takes 2.5 hours travel time
- starts and ends in city centers on both ends.
- has better legroom and wider seats than economy
- free, fast Wifi on board, your cell signal still works, and you can use your computer the whole trip.
- has no security or boarding hassle. You can show up 5 minutes before departure and just get on.
- has no luggage limitations AFAICT
It's faster and far less stressful than flying SF to LA, with the security and boarding hassles, Ubers on both ends, and cramped onboard conditions.
I was just in Japan, and took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, which is a similar distance as SF to LA.
That train:
- runs every 10 minutes -- if you miss one, just take the next one!
- takes 2.5 hours travel time
- starts and ends in city centers on both ends.
- has better legroom and wider seats than economy
- free, fast Wifi on board, your cell signal still works, and you can use your computer the whole trip.
- has no security or boarding hassle. You can show up 5 minutes before departure and just get on.
- has no luggage limitations AFAICT
It's faster and far less stressful than flying SF to LA, with the security and boarding hassles, Ubers on both ends, and cramped onboard conditions.