EU Plans $371B Build-Out of High-Speed Rail Corridors

54 pointsposted 3 months ago
by saubeidl
(enr.com)

12 Comments

jiehong

3 months ago

I think the goal of reducing short flights isn’t bad (or rather decrease transportation CO2 emissions).

But, the way is not working: even today flights are faster and often cheaper than trains, with less delays.

PeterStuer

3 months ago

Because flights are massively subsidized. Also, passenger rail has to yield for freight as the latter brings on more money.

Personally I prefer high speed rail over flights where available. It is far more comfortable and end to end usually as fast as flying in Europe.

ncruces

3 months ago

Eventually, we'll have to either decide to get serious about not burning fossils, or not.

If we do become serious about it, there's no reason internal flights that can easily be replaced by slower rail today, shouldn't be pay as high taxes for fuel, as the cars do.

Cars can also be more convenient than transit, and we tax them for it.

ksec

3 months ago

By 2040? That is a very ambitious target by European standard. I would have thought they will still be in the planing stage. And unfortunately UK would not be part of it.

Sometimes I do admire the speed which China get things done.

mamonster

3 months ago

They should figure out how to put a part of the 371B under military budgets, given that rail is the only serious way of war logistics at the moment.

m0llusk

3 months ago

The continent scale management system is an interesting challenge and could probably make for a good game also.

nasmorn

3 months ago

Can’t wait for it. Can’t believe I ever need to take a fucking flight from Vienna to Berlin which takes longer with transfer and security than the train would take if it just had a reasonably fast speed. But the direct track through Prague is so slow it is literally faster to go through Munich on a 400km detour

saubeidl

3 months ago

The slow Czech train is incredible though! Their dining car still has a full-on kitchen where you can get freshly made Schnitzel and Pilsner Urquell from the tap, complete with white tablecloth.

Yes, there should be a faster option. But if you have the time, do give it a shot, it's quite the experience.

gizajob

3 months ago

Jeez you could buy everyone in Europe an aeroplane for that.

schoen

3 months ago

An $824 aeroplane?