You are not missing a thing tccedar...
15 minutes for 18 miles is really $1 billion for 18 miles. That is not worth it.
Express trains running at speeds up to 100 MPH on dedicated express rails would be more affordable to build and maintain than 200 mph trains that require a higher standard of track, rail bed and train. 100 mph trains would be fast enough to compete with car travel on all trips and competitive with short and medium range air travel.
The big advantage over air could be cost if the trains are affordable to build and maintain. Keep the costs low and the tickets would be lower than air. Many people would sacrifice an extra hour of travel on a 200-mile trip if the ticket costs half as much.
Affordable also means no subsidies for taxpayers. Designing in express cargo service could be the moneymaker for new express rails while passenger traffic aims for a break-even operation.
