We must ensure long-term funding of public transit before thinking about a fast train. Without a healthy, well-funded and efficient network, we will not get the best advantage from the fast train. In France, the TGV runs between Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux; in Germany, between Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin; in Spain, between Barcelona, Madrid and Cordoba. These countries already had well-developed networks of subways, trains, tramways and buses that were all integrated before implementing the TGV. To a certain extent, the TGV depends on this environment for each of its stations, unless a station is built between the cities with a big parking lot as an incentive. However, I wonder if that is really the objective.
On June 16th, 2009. See this statement in context.