RE: Amtrak's high-speed rail vision for 2040: New York to Washington in 96 minutes
Most developed nations have high speed rail. Europe has an integrated high speed rail system that offers efficient, comfortable travel to most countries in Europe. Japan has a high speed rail system that serves the whole country. Yes, Europe and Japan are much smaller, geographically, than the United States. Any attempt to implement a high speed rail system for the entire US would not be practical. But the north east corridor has similarities with other areas of the world that are served by high speed rail systems, which can make the plan both practical and economically sound. Saying that the plan will never repay the capital outlay without having any knowlege of the study reeks of the BIG OIL-AUTO INDUSTRY lobby that has been fighting any mass transit project since the 1950's. A high speed rail system would greatly reduce the congestion and pollution generated by the thousands of cars that are used every day in this transportaion corridor. Similar projects in every urbine area of the US should be considered. Less oil, less pollution, and much less dependance on the oil companies and auto makers for our survival.
