[slg]

I would even argue that transit systems within a city are somewhat of a prerequisite to high speed rail adoption. It is the last mile problem. If you are planning a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles, one of the major reasons to drive is so you have a car in LA. If you could reasonably get around LA without a car, taking a train from SF to LA becomes much more appealing.

That is one of the big advantages for high speed rail in Japan. The high speed rail service is closely integrated with the local rail network of the cities it stops in. You get off the high speed rail, walk two minutes, and you are on a subway to your final destination.

[iaabtpbtpnn]

It surprises many people to learn this, but LA actually has metro rail, which you can catch from Union Station. It services almost double the number of stations that BART does. My experience with the express buses on the west side is also far superior to MUNI.

[simonbyrne]

It's also a matter of integration (common ticketing, timetabling of connections, sharing stations): the Bay Area is atrocious for this. LA is slightly better, but still leaves a lot to be desired.

[inferiorhuman]

LA is a LOT better with this, and that's why they're actually building rail out. They've consolidated administration whereas the Bay Area is a fragmented rat's nest with BART being the best example of how toxic and provincial transit politics can be.

[TheHwangover]

Honestly, one of the most underrated parts of LA. Granted, it's not well connected yet but if I could I would use the metro everyday.

[hunter23]

I don't think the process is any different from flying. You get out of your transport and take a shuttle to the closest car rental agency. There are tons of car rental agencies in LA and if there was a high speed train they would open up outlets near the train.

[barsonme]

OTOH, somebody commuting via train doesn't want to rent a car every day.

[chewz]

Additionally your shinkasen (fast train) ticket allows you to travel anywhere within metro area at destination (on JR lines).

[dwd]

This might now be an opportunity for a hyperloop alternative. Musks investment in cheap tunneling with the Boring Company could turn out to be one of his best bets yet.