Originally Posted by
Grumble
High speed rail is economical in smaller places like Japan and European countries, where the rail lines are
1.) Shorter and thus cheaper
2.) and where a 100mph train will actually beat a 450 knot jet taking into account the process for each
However trying to compete across a vast expanse like the US is just stupid. I actually looked at the price of an Amtrak ticket for the wife and I from CA to Chicago. Thought maybe it would be fun. $350 each, for COACH seats and it would take.... wait for it.... TWO DAYS. So for the same price as Southwest, I could sit in coach for TWO DAYS vice 4 hours?!?! Europe is broke for a reason, lets stop trying to chase them down the hole.
Rail is never economical. Rail is highly subsidized in Europe and Asia which is how and why it can exist. The riders would never pay for a ticket if it was priced to actually cover costs and to make a profit.