I think rather than government involvement, things that are largely physical are bound by stronger constraints. Also when it comes to things like intracity transportation we tend to underestimate old solutions like walking and riding.
France, some of western Europe, and Japan have already 220+ mph transportation, but in a train, and with heavy goverment subsidies, but still it is much safer, faster, and reliable then get stuck in a car in trafic. So, a goverment can actually achieve something good. The thinking back then was so car centric, that even in intercity traveling you had to had a car. Since cars would not be allowed into cities anyways (according to the prediction), wouldn't it made sense for trains?
