I don't think anyone ever gauged public 'use' of the train.
I don't think anyone from the top 500 politicians in the state ever believed it was a good idea.
I think the funds 'movement' was mostly to pay off lobbyists....giving cash back to the politicians who supported it.
Oddly, with Vegas dying now....the path from Cal to Vegas via the bullet-train....makes no sense.
Finally....I would readily agree....there's probably over 200 similar projects in California....developed the same way.