High-Speed Rail Hacked & Attacked in U.S., but Not Yet Fully Dead

December 7th, 2011 by Zachary Shahan

I’m a huge high-speed rail fan. It is a tremendously efficient mode of transport, easy-to-use, comfortable, and even fun. Here in Europe, I am amazed at how nice it is every time I ride such trains. Of course, a large portion of our political leaders (in the party known for its tea escapades) do not seem to be aware of its many promises and positive features. The latest news on how they have nearly killed high-speed rail in the U.S. (some of Obama’s grand high-speed rail plan here) is as follows:

American High Speed Rail is Not Dead – It’s More of a Zombie (via Gas 2.0)

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Tags: Congress, high speed rail us, high-speed trains, quickies, Republicans

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

Anonymous

Most of our cities don’t have the infrastructure to support transportation of people once they arrive. I live in Florida, there has been talk of a high speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando. The problem is, what do you do once you get from Tampa to Orlando, or vice versa. There is no viable bus service, taxis are expensive, and unless they put in lots of economical rental cars at each termimal, what is the use? One can make the drive in 90 minutes, and go from door to door.

Rail works well in China, because they have a high concentration of people, and good bus service and cheap cab service once you arrive in a city. In China the trains are nearly always full, and you often have to buy a ticket days in advance, and have a relative or friend by you a return ticket, because you cannot buy a round trip ticket.

Would I go from Tampa to Washington DC or New York via high speed rail? Yes. But, so far there is no proposal for such lines. But, Tampa to just Orlando or Miami, it seems like a big expense for something I feel few people would really use.
- Anonymous
  
  I’m from south FL. and i heard the claim many times that you couldn’t get around on the bus — finally, i tried it out, and you could! i’ve had the same experience with trains in the U.S. as well.
  
  yes, more density and better options inside cities would help, would be great, but you have to start somewhere! you need both, and I guarantee that a strong, clear investment in intercity HSR would bring about investment in those cities it’s connecting as well..