WI: Speeding Bullet Mass Transit System Was Developed in the US in the 1980s?

I'm legitimately curious as to what could happen if a speeding bullet mass transit system was developed in the US during the 1980s, in order to cut down not only on fossil fuel emissions, but also traffic.
 
The rights of way are there or were there to a large degree. Conversion of current lines to the standard needed for HSR is how much a mile. Another option is to piggyback the rights of way on to existing Interstates although there may be problems with grades. Far too many rail lines that were abandoned were allowed to be cut-up. IMO they should of gone into public trust for future use.
 
Problem was, the old Right of Ways had crossings all over the place, and few lines were laid out to support 100+ speeds
You be in courts till today litigating those crossing removals.
 
By mass transit I assume you mean the likes of the New York City subway, not intercity High Speed Rail or commuter rail.

In that case the distances are too short for the trains to get to any sort of high speed without pulling eye-popping 'G's under acceleration and brakes. Even commuter rail doesn't really benefit from high speed, when they sped up the commuter rail here in Victoria only 32km of the 80km Melbourne-Geelong route is 160km/h, the rest is slower through outer suburbs sharing lines with the Melbourne Metro trains.
 
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