Governors ask for funds to study high-speed rail

High-speed rail train The idea of a high-speed train that would run from one end of New Mexico to the other appears to be gaining momentum.

[Just saying]

Why not use the 10 million to build the train as far north as you can? At least then if it doesn't work we can use the track for the railrunner.

Perhaps not enough publicity?

Another smart expensive move GOV...NOT!!

How much longer do we have you in office... You don't even like it here, you showed us when you ran for President and announced in California!

Why don't you just get the **** out before you bankrupt our state like your pal Arnold did! Go homey and show Cali what you can do....Pull A Palin...We won't miss ya!

[The Voice of Reason]

Just saying wrote:

Why not use the 10 million to build the train as far north as you can? At least then if it doesn't work we can use the track for the railrunner.
Perhaps not enough publicity?
Another smart expensive move GOV...NOT!!
How much longer do we have you in office... You don't even like it here, you showed us when you ran for President and announced in California!
Why don't you just get the ***** out before you bankrupt our state like your pal Arnold did! Go homey and show Cali what you can do....Pull A Palin...We won't miss ya!

Your statement was right on until you got to Arnold. I'm not an Arnold supporter, but he has nothing to do with California's out of control spending. The legislature does. Oh, and 10 MILLION DOLLARS for a study? Are you kidding? Who's getting paid off for this nonsense.

[Poor Richards Almanac]

This is an easy one. Ted Turner buys the Ladder Ranch and other land around T or C. Sir Richard Branson, with money from our state and Sierra County put in a "Space Port close to Engle east of t or c. Elephant Butte is right there. Municipal water needs take priority. Cars are on the way out. Trains are what Warren Buffet has invested in recently. The Denver to El Paso line will pass right through Governor Richardson, Ted Turner and Richard Branson's new City Space Port USA.$200 an acre desert becomes $50,000.00 an acre for 200,000 acres. The government pays for most of what makes it possible.
Its about water, money, influence, Obama, Richardson, Bingaman, and lots of lots sold at lots of profit. Jornada Del Muerto becomes a new city and the riches of the rich are multiplied at our expense. There is no stopping the rape of New Mexico. Sit back and enjoy it. Please see: http://www.southernnewmexico.com/Articles/Sou...

[Craig]

a study for high-speed rail in NM ????? Can they think of anything more ludicrous? What was the point of getting the Rail Runner going then ???

to touch on reply #3, would the powers-that-be w/the golden touch be too snooty to take the Rail Runner at that "snails pace?" LOL

[Just left of right]

The Voice of Reason wrote:

<quoted text>
Your statement was right on until you got to Arnold. I'm not an Arnold supporter, but he has nothing to do with California's out of control spending. The legislature does. Oh, and 10 MILLION DOLLARS for a study? Are you kidding? Who's getting paid off for this nonsense.

No kidding. 10 million just to study the idea?

[forum baby]

Go For It!

[Geez 10 Grand For What]

$10 grand for what? NMDOT Giron is a stupid political puppet. What a dumb idea. We cant even make a slow train profitable much less a fast train. What's to study?

[Eltorro]

10,000,000.00 just for a study!! That's outrageous because there are highways, sewer lines, water lines and other vital infrastructure that need repairs. What does out spend crazy govenor want to do? Spend more money we do not have so he can impress his big spending foolish friends in Washington (meaning Nobama).

The idea one poster had about politicians making tons of money on this has merit and Retardson and Nobama are slimy enough to be a part of that sort of money laundrying deal.

I despise all politicians for what they do and who they are.

[Say What]

And the Governor? Governors? What's the reasoning here of El Paso to Colorado speeding through NM? Certainly not economic development for New Mexico. Care to explain your reasoning for us stationary NM citizen taxpayers?

[Tony Soprano]

Just like Pay to Play Bill to take credit for the high-speed rail. Come on Gov. Lame Duck, this idea was foster in the 80s with Gov. Anaya. It was his vision and yet you are all puffed up over it. No wonder Obama was able to see through your rehtoric and vote you off the island early, 2010 cannot come any sooner. You will have no legacy to speak of, too bad the presidential bid didnt work out so well.

I think Gen. Custer faired better.

[Just saying]

You're right, I'm wrong.. Just had to get in a dig on Calif's Gov...

Our Lame Duck fluck is just milking us dry and how in the world can we stop this insane spending... Please Post...

The Voice of Reason wrote:

<quoted text>
Your statement was right on until you got to Arnold. I'm not an Arnold supporter, but he has nothing to do with California's out of control spending. The legislature does. Oh, and 10 MILLION DOLLARS for a study? Are you kidding? Who's getting paid off for this nonsense.

[Matt]

Say What wrote:

And the Governor? Governors? What's the reasoning here of El Paso to Colorado speeding through NM? Certainly not economic development for New Mexico. Care to explain your reasoning for us stationary NM citizen taxpayers?

He shouldn't have to. It's obvious if you stop and think about before opening your mouth. The track will be built with labor that will come from the state, our state will benefit from this the most given it will go through our entire state. The train will make stops where people can get off and make purchases or even stay a night over to see a city they haven't been to before. They will spend money there too.

[Matt]

The Rio Grande guy's comments are only half right. He's totally wrong on how many people are in cars when people drive. There's lots of people with one or two people on I-25 between here and Denver. As for the speed, 110 would mean the trip from Albuquerque to Denver would take about 4 hours. That's quite competative with flying, which when you factor in the time of getting to the airport, about 30 minutes on this end, getting there about an hour to an hour and half early, the hour and ten minute flight, another 30 minutes to get your luggage, plus the 45 minutes on the Denver end just getting ANYWHERE in the city from that airport, you're looking at about 4 hours. It's not just the time in the air. Besides, the competition will help lower air fare and possibly even gas prices in towns like Raton, Walsonburg, Pueblo, Las Vegas, etc.

[Train_Man]

This would be great in the long term, the present issues would be lack of a population base to support it. If this train could sustain a speed of over 200 mph, than it would be competitive with Air travel. You could go from Downtown Albuquerque to Downtown Denver in just over two hours. Tak on Airport commute and security and I would definitely use it instead of air. I've ridden the Acela back east and was very impressed. The only obstacles holding the Acela's speed is too many curves, at grade crossings and not enough concrete ties. The upfront costs would be high, but it would be a great long term investment, especially since our highways and air traffic are busting at the seams.

[Low Rent Express]

Say What wrote:

And the Governor? Governors? What's the reasoning here of El Paso to Colorado speeding through NM? Certainly not economic development for New Mexico. Care to explain your reasoning for us stationary NM citizen taxpayers?

The train will stop in New Mexico and will be a very expensive travel delicacy. Caviar Express to Space Port Village.

[Stanley Kowalski]

Well, Rio Grande Foundation is a mouthpiece for the GOP. Their position is always the same: Lower taxes for the wealthy is better than any public investment.

HSR (the genuine article, 220 mph) really competes with short-haul air. It costs as much as a completely new divided highway, maybe $35 million per mile. It also grows ridership every year in the 8% range. It has no problem attracting riders anywhere its deployed. If we don't abolish the estate tax, we can raise $20 billion per year for the build out. That's a lot of rail at the expense of Paris Hilton.

[Fred]

Well he--, That's all we need is a bunch more stupid trains blowing their dam horn all hours of the night,
Add a another bright Idea to our wasteful Government !

[Citizen Kane]

It really ticks me off when people complain about the railrunner. Yeah there are a lot of people who do not benefit from it. Still, there are a lot of people who do. It has been a lifesaver for a great number of people. People as far south as Socorro and north of Santa Fe are benefiting. Just because you do not benefit, does not mean it is unimportant to everybody else. The current Railrunner is just the beginning. This is something that should have been in place years ago and today we might have had inexpensive rail service to many parts of the state. I like rail because I can relax and not have to worry about the idiot drivers in this state.

[Money---]

He!!, just give me 1:10th of the money for the "study"...I'll go ahead and tell you what it'll cost...a HE!! OF A LOT!!! There, I've given you the final outcome and saved 9 mil in the process....

[Upda Hill]

Calling a train running at 110mph "High Speed" is a political smokescreen to gain public support for another Billy Boondoggle. State taxpayers are already on the hook for the $10 million per year financial shortfall of the Railrunner. True high speed rail (220mph +) can make sense in densely populated areas, but we don't qualify.

This would require new rights of way through Reservation land and through cities and towns along the way. Since some of the tribes already require that the Railrunner operate at reduced speeds on tribal land, new rights of way aren't likely to be approved, particularly not at high speeds.

So, ultimately, this sounds like another nifty way to funnel taxpayer money to "experts" favored by the Governor.