The Real Reason America Doesn't Have High-Speed Rail

Plenty of Americans like to brag that we’re more technologically advanced than any other country, but when it comes to transportation, this is decidedly false. While countries in Asia and Europe have high-speed trains that save time, are more convenient, and are environmentally friendly, America just hasn’t gotten on board with high-speed rail.

There have been attempts over the last 50+ years, but for a myriad of reasons, we still don’t have bullet trains. What’s hindering our progress, and are we working towards getting this problem fixed? Let’s take a look at the real reason why America doesn’t have high-speed rail.

#America #Trains #Transportation

What is high-speed rail? | 0:00
Supply and demand | 1:26
False starts | 2:16
Here comes the politics | 3:00
Fighting the bullet | 4:09
On the right track | 5:13

[GrungeHQ]

If we had high-speed rail in America, would you use it?

[ChicagoMadisonWesternRR]

The problem in the US is that when it comes to rail, people expect it to turn a profit when highways get a free pass and are grossly underfunded and overbuilt.

[MarioStahl]

The sheer endless power of a small group of rich, libertarian train haters will ALWAYS find ways to prevent both high speed rail as well as conventional Intercity railway connections outside the North Eastern Corridor. But that era is coming to an end. The age of cheap oil is over and every modern industrialized nation that wants to remain competitive sooner or later must electrify all kinds of traffic and that includes railways. Existing railways currently run with diesel trains will have to be electrified and new railway lines will have to be built weather you like it or not. Charles Koch can take it easy. He'll be dead by the time this is achieved.

[marcusrex]

Big oil and is doing the same thing to the bullet train that they did to the Electric Car from back in the 1990's.
They used every rotten trick in the book to stifle and at least for a while, kill it.

[jason]

Meanwhile countries in Asia: laughs in train

[JOYOUSONEX]

I lived in Texas in the 80's and 90's and they talked a ton about HSR from Dallas to Austin, San Antonio and !!
And why ? Well you nailed it with the opposition you mentioned....oil, planes etc etc.

[Gini-hlrr]

A 5 billions wall = yes
Bullet trains = no

[Pantograph_]

The only two words you need to know as to why there isn't high speed rail in America:

Oil Lobby

[charleskuckel]

When I took my father back to Germany for his 80th birthday, we went from Frankfurt to Leipzig via the ICE (InterCity Express) Train. It wasn't high speed BUT it was faster than any other train in the US. It was cleaner, quieter, cheaper, and more luxurious / comfortable than any other US train as well. This was 2005 mind you. It's an embarrassment that America CAN'T even come close to this level of transportation for the masses!

[snortingsmarties]

Do you think this mentality will change when the older generations are gone? Because I would love high speed trains in America. I feel like with those kinda trains, I would be able to visit more places without strain on my car and without costing an arm and a leg to fly.

[Zackman]

I’m so ready to see high speed rail to come to the USA. I want to ride a transportation vehicle that is fast, comfortable, and on the ground moving at 300 kilometers an hour. I don’t want to fly anymore and sit in a seat that’s uncomfortable for your back, with no room to stress your legs, or walk around when everything around you is cramped.

[darthskippy]

What a coincidence it’s a oil money thing. I know I’m shocked. Add sarcasm.

[runtofthesheepleheinz]

just imagine the jobs this would create if they did this all over States/Country and connecting from All the and surrounding areas?...

[nxthgbutgemz]

Americans would use billions to invest in weapons but not billions to build trains

[paterson]

High speed rail is frustrated by opposition from the airline industry, the automobile industry, and the petroleum industry. Other obstacles are unnecessary regulations that increase the cost of construction. The reason foundation is the paid lobby for opposing high speed rail.

[jhagestad]

My dad worked for the railroad for 30 years. Don’t do high speed rail cross-country -way too expensive. Do it to connect cities that surround major airports and eliminate the hundreds of flights that are one hour or less in duration every day (i.e. Chicago to Detroit or LA to Vegas). Basically replacing connecting flights with connecting high speed rail service.

[Yoshikarter]

I don't drive and I despise flying. Even under current circumstances, I would rather pay the extra for longer, yet more comfortable Amtrak than a shorter, but more stressful and less comfortable plane ride that also includes long wait times at airports so we can get groped by the TSA.

[charmainejames]

Yes I would use HSR depending on where it stations were located.

[nenblom]

The US has been working on high speed rail for the last 50 years. LOL

[noahbowie]

Look at Europe, our high speed networks were, and still are, built up country by country. France built the TGV before Germany's ICE and Spain's AVE for example before they were then linked together. Surely it makes much more sense to give funding to states and allow them to design and build their own high speed networks. Some states need high speed rail sooner and more of it such as California and the Pacific Northwest.