You simply do not understand the benefits. I really do not want to expand the arguments further. Let us leave it like this.
Then what’s the benefit of HSR? You were taking abut commuting, which I think is not a reasonable possibility.
HSR works in Europe because mass transit was already in place in their big cities…Not true in Cali…HSR is basackwards here…You race into a city at 200mph and then there is nowhere to go, unless you rent a car…a useless system for commuting
Enthusiasm for HSR is based on an urge to show the world that USA can also have a HSR and USA is as good as China and Europe. You need to have your priority matching your reality. Look at China and Europe, most of the population depend on public transit and they do not drive. When majority of people do not drive, HSR can supplement airline and provide a way for long distance travel. In Europe, train ticket can cost the same as the airline ticket since European airline is very cheap for some reason.
HSR is not for daily commuting. With 99% of the Americans drive every day, HSR is Not a priority now.
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4 people driving to LA will cost one tenth per person of four travelling on a train or airplane…HSR is a subsidy for business travelers. .a very small group…not a very democratic solution to a problem that doesn’t exist…
I would like to leave my car in the garage all year long and use public transit for everything. Once my wish becomes true for both BA and LA, I would consider HSR.
That could be SF proper…many people especially millennials don’t own cars here and either walk, bike, take Muni or Uber. Def doable here.
Yeah, SF and Oakland can allow a car free lifestyle. Can we make it possible for most of core Bay Area? If Bart and Caltrain everywhere, with 24 hour operation, that would be great. When most people get rid of their cars, we can tear down freeway 101 and run HSR along highway 101. Or we can still keep 101 which will be used by trucks mostly.
Speaking of millenial’s, many high income engineers do not even own a car and live in SF. It’s surprising to hear that they can not afford the car, and seems that they do not own a car because of parking, not due to the cost of cars. Economically, it makes sense to not own a car if you live in prime locations since the monthly parking can be more than what Uber can cost.
If we can make Bay Area a car free region, the best and brightest will all come to Bay Area and our single family housing price could go up 5 fold. By then, SFR will be for the ultra rich and most people will live in a high rise or mid rise condo
I hear even Los Angeles is doing a lot to improve public tranny (it needs it badly).
I still think down the road probably way after our lifetimes that BART would/should completely circle the Bay. That would certainly bump up the efficiency of the system, as someone could go to the East Bay faster via across the Bay tube or in theory go south along the peninsula and just stay on as it circles back up on the East Bay side. That honestly makes sense more so than having Caltrain be a separate operating system on the peninsula. Caltrain will be electric one day soon, so doesn’t it make sense to merge it with BART?
Singapore is already like this.
I am not going to lie, it sounds pretty good there, but here is a different perspective about Singapore…
https://www.lifelisted.com/blog/happens-everything-goes-right/
Heaven is too boring for some 
Here is interesting article about SG vs HKG
https://www.quora.com/Comparing-Cities-What-is-it-like-living-in-Hong-Kong-vs-Singapore
Glance through some of the comments. About right 
Singapore vs HK is like Garden vs Forest. How about SV vs SF 
Surprisingly, nobody mention the intensely bright streets of Singapore, impossible to find dark alleys, and the covered walkways from HDBs to the bus stops and MRT stations. Ideal for scantily dresses ladies, and they can walk anywhere at night without fear of being molested.
Foreigners didn’t realize the recent Chinese going to Singapore and HK are mostly from other parts of China, whereas the existing Chinese are mostly from Guangdong, and Fujian. Also, the KMT of Taiwan are mostly from Fujian.
Haven’t been to Singapore, definitely a great place. However I am worried for the criminals. How do criminals survive in Singapore? Do they need to take crime vacations in foreign country?
Singapore has low crime rate as they penalty is harsh !
I like low crime rate. Can we have a little harsh penalty on crime?
It’s easier to make money in HK. It rewards rich people and punishes the poor. Count the number of billionaires between the two places. HK comes out way ahead.
This guy implemented my “Buy a property every year” system in HK and became obscenely rich.
Also, don’t forget SG has draft. If you are a man or have sons, you need to factor that in. It doesn’t matter if you moved away. They can still catch you if you serve!