What is preventing the U.S. from having high speed trains?

In a world where high-speed trains connect major cities with ease and efficiency, the United States lags behind due to a lack of political will and funding. While countries like Japan, China, and European nations have embraced high-speed rail for decades, the U.S. struggles to catch up.

Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner points out that the issue is not a technical one but a financial one. Decades of political disagreements and lobbying from other industries have left the U.S. with aging infrastructure that hampers passenger rail travel. Despite a $66 billion federal investment in rail infrastructure, building a high-speed rail network would require trillions of dollars.

However, progress is being made. Amtrak has committed billions for new trains and infrastructure upgrades, with plans for faster trains reaching speeds of up to 160 miles per hour. Yet, these speeds still pale in comparison to other countries’ high-speed trains, which can reach up to 286 miles per hour.

One of the challenges facing Amtrak is its relationship with freight rail companies, which own a majority of the tracks on which passenger trains run. Tensions arise over right-of-way laws and delays caused by freight traffic, leading to calls for federal intervention.

Despite these challenges, high-speed rail remains a viable and environmentally friendly option for travel in the U.S. Gardner emphasizes the need for increased investment in rail to reduce carbon emissions and improve passenger and goods movement. As the U.S. grapples with the complexities of building a high-speed rail network, the rest of the world continues to zip past at lightning speed.