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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsChina may have edge in race to build California's bullet train
Chinese state firms are poised to be strong contenders in the race to make high-speed trains that will sprint between Los Angeles and San Francisco, part of a $68 billion project to bring the service to the United States for the first time.
While "bullet train" manufacturers from Germany, Japan, South Korea, and France are expected to be among those jockeying for the estimated $1 billion train contract, Chinas ability to offer low prices and hefty financing appear to make it the one to beat, say lobbyists and industry insiders.
Lacking experience in the technology, California must turn to foreign firms to build the trains albeit domestically and with American workers - setting off a geopolitical race to grab a foothold in the nascent U.S. high-speed rail industry.
Germany's Siemens is expanding its rail factory in Sacramento to incorporate a high-speed lot. Japan has voiced its interest, boasting a record of no fatal accidents in over 50 years operating high-speed trains. Frances Alstom, which produces rail cars in upstate New York, is also a potential contender.
Awarding a piece of Americas most ambitious and expensive infrastructure project in decades to strategic rival China over a long-term ally such as Japan - would be prone to political controversy.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/china-may-edge-race-build-californias-bullet-train-051720518--sector.html
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)Hundreds of trains running, every day, for 50 years (since October 1, 1964, to be exact), and not one fatality from an accident.
Japan knows how to build bullet trains, and keep them safe, even in earthquake country.
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)n2doc
(47,953 posts)Except no higher up has had to pay a price for the bridge debacle.
ananda
(28,856 posts)I was thinking the same thing.