First I think there is something missing in the calculations — required stayover cost. All the majors now have a 1 day layover requirement. So that cost for hotel and meals has to be included in the trip cost for airline use. No it won’t close the gap; not by a long shot.
As to what should we do? 1) regional routes that can be traversed in 24 hour to major metro centers should be encouraged. There are many more than just the NE corridor. 2) Better interlink between airports and rail should be developed. Being able to do continental spans by air and short hops by rail probably is a better option. 3) The money we would spend on high speed national rail would be better spent on a nationwide 1Gb broadband network. Fostered by Acts similiar to the railroad act of the 1840s that spurred rail expansion. Pushing bits saves fuel like no other option available.
