People would like to hear the actual numbers not some estimates

The system was only put on running for a short period of time. Most of people do not expect such heavily invested project can generate sufficient convincing/meaningful outcome/stats in few years to make a judgement.

I don't think the governments evaluates the efficiency of 高铁 based on monetary gain/loss solely. Many factors such as long-term impact on economics/local development/ are also put into consideration.

Well, I am not the right one who can tell how useful 高铁 is. Only the people who are in charge of 高铁 have legitimacy to determine.

My 2 cents