The SF-LA transit project isn't a replacement for driving, it's a replacement for flying. Cars are replaced by local transit, the CA high speed rail line goes through a whole lot of nothing (read: the worst farmland they could route through) between SF and LA. Are you sure you live around here if you're this off-base with the basic premise?
This is completely the wrong way of thinking about it. Long distance and short distance transport form a symbiotic relationship.
And in most countries we wouldn't call multiple cities of 100k+ population 'nothing'.
HSR is the spine of the transportation network, that local and regional traffic docks to making a greater whole. It increases the reach and power of public transport as a whole.
For HSR to be successful, you need people using the in-between station for regional trips, not just end to end airplane like trips.
It might speed up the commutes of people coming into the bay from Gilroy, and it might make Madera a somewhat-viable commuter town (if you don't mind 2 hour commutes), but I can't imagine many people using it for daily travel who aren't already well-served by Amtrak/Caltrain
