Fast Trains Sound Nice, But Who Will Ride?

IBD Editorials ^ | September 23, 2011 | Staff

[kearnyirish2]

Here in Newark NJ people don’t want to walk three blocks through the natives, never mind miles. They know better, despite the news blackout (pardon the pun).

[hinckley buzzard]

That's why it makes sense in Japan, South Korea, China, much of Europe, and certain corridors in the USA (e.g. the Northeast Corridor between Richmond, VA to Boston, MA). Interestingly, Chicago is one place where high-speed rail especially makes sense

Well, it might "make sense" but it doesn't make cents, as there is only one profitable line in all the ones you propose, that is Tokyo-Osaka. Nowhere else in the world does highspeed rail support itself profitably.

[Sonny M]

I'm over in NYC, a big part of that deal, was the idea of moving freight. It would have helped jobs wise, but the only benefit would have been in NYC, there would have been absolutely nothing to gain for NJ. Moving cargo, into NYC is fine, but why should New Jersey pay to help create jobs in NYC ?

FWIW, the folks I know in Jersey who do commute to NYC, have always said, they would despise the trains, they will drive, deal with traffic and all that, rather then ride the train in. Some of them actually would rather cab it then ride in, that says alot.

[kearnyirish2]

“I’m over in NYC, a big part of that deal, was the idea of moving freight.”

I see; that makes sense, but was left out of the public discussion (and I could see why).