High-Speed MagLev Train from Disneyland to Las Vegas Gets $45 Million
Travel Blog • Michael Yessis • 06.09.08 | 3:23 PM ET
The money, which was earmarked in the transportation bill President Bush signed Friday, “will pay for environmental studies for the first leg of the project,” reports the AP. Gizmodo wonders if it’s just greenwashing, since $45 million is but a fraction of what it might cost to build a legitimate high-speed MagLev rail line. I think it’s a fine step forward, and likely not the last. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hails from Nevada, and he’s on the record supporting the project. That’s a powerful ally.
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Michael Yessis is the cofounder and coeditor-in-chief of World Hum.
Alec 06.09.08 | 9:10 PM ET
Let me get this straight. With a looming cutback in private cars, one of America’s most advanced rail projects will go from Disneyland to Las Vegas? Does this say something unsettling about our values?
jj from Levittown 06.10.08 | 11:43 AM ET
What total nonsense, folly, and PORK!!! Disney and Las Vegas should pay the total thing !!! There are soooo many places in USA that REALLY NEED more and better public transportation!!! That is where some MagLevs should be placed!!!
Michael Yessis 06.10.08 | 1:29 PM ET
Sure, it’s pork. And are there places where we need more and better public transportation? Certainly. But no other high-speed train projects seem to be getting any traction. This one is. I’d like the U.S. to get something completed, and perhaps that will kick start projects elsewhere.
Joe Ascanio 06.10.08 | 2:58 PM ET
I agree with Michael. Sure, the details behind the project leave something to be desired - it would be nice to see progressive development put into sectors that NEED the attention, rather than those that would simply benefit financially. However, the publicity brought about by the intiative, even if just on paper, may just be enough to get similar, yet smaller-scale projects finally off the ground.
Johanne Giampietro 06.10.08 | 4:42 PM ET
What a bunch of crap, the U.S. does not take care of the people that live here and they have 45 million to spend on a transport system to Vegas and Disneyland what a sick goverment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TambourineMan 06.10.08 | 5:29 PM ET
Let me get this straight. If the Mouse doesn’t bankrupt you, the blackjack tables are less than 2 hours away? Awesome! It’s The Great MagLev Train Robbery, Charlie Brown.
Mike M. 08.17.08 | 7:11 AM ET
There are some benefits to this. One, Anaheim is right in the middle of southern California…one of the most densely populated areas in the country. Two, once you get out of SoCal, you find that there is essentially nothing between there and Vegas. It will help keep construction costs lower and eliminate zoning and land use issues. Finally, once it is built, you have a model of how these systems might work.
There is also the added benefit of having a start point in SoCal for future high speed train systems. Now if they would only drop the stupid maglev idea and focus on more common steel wheeled trains like those in Europe and Asia.
Vegas 10.25.08 | 11:42 AM ET
I think we know from the Billion Dollar Bailout that “pork” is the way Congress gets bills passed.
Orlando Hotel 11.09.08 | 2:00 PM ET
Actually I love the idea of a high speed train from Orange County to Las Vegas. I once took the train from Union Station to Vegas (I don’t know if that even runs anymore) and it took over 8 hours! The only thing I don’t get is why from Disneyland—Vegas is for adults, isn’t it?