LOS ANGELES — Train travel in the US has long been associated with old movies and foreign films. However, the US was once the world’s leading country in passenger trains, with a vast network of 254,000 miles of tracks connecting the nation. Unfortunately, over the last century, the country shifted its focus to cars and planes, leaving the passenger train system in decline.
But there is hope for a revival of train travel in America. As efforts to reduce emissions intensify, the Biden administration has committed $16 billion to improve Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, the nation’s busiest rail line. In addition, Brightline has opened its completed train line from Orlando to Miami, with a three-hour travel time that beats driving. California has also invested in its train route from Los Angeles to San Francisco.
This renewed interest in train travel aligns with the global “flyskam” movement, which seeks to reduce carbon footprints and decrease reliance on air travel. Additionally, it presents an opportunity for the US to catch up to countries like France, Japan, and China, known for their high-speed trains and widespread train travel.
Although train travel is not entirely out of fashion in the US, experts agree that the country still has a long way to go. The decline of passenger trains can be attributed to various factors, including the government’s investment in highways and the poor timing of modernizing efforts by railroad companies after World War II. The creation of Amtrak in the 1970s also marked a shift in the ownership and operations of passenger trains.
However, as the Biden administration takes steps to improve Amtrak and private companies seek to fill the void in luxury train travel, the question remains if Americans will embrace train travel once again. Despite the challenges, many believe that high-speed rail could thrive in connecting major metropolitan areas, such as the proposed route between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The US may never fully restore the dominance of train travel, but with continued investments and improvements, it could become a significant player in the global high-speed rail market and offer a sustainable, reliable, and comfortable mode of transportation for travelers. It’s time for a railroad renaissance in America.
