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High-Speed Train Debuts in Japan

Discussion in 'Anything goes' started by NickMordo, Mar 6, 2011.

  1. Boom_70

    Boom_70 Well-Known Member

    Depends on time of day and demand. Last week it was only a $20 differential on a trip I took to Boston.

    To me the extra hour and wifi is worth it. Also better eye candy.
     
  2. deskslave

    deskslave Active Member

    Yeah, 20 bucks I'd pay. 60, not so much.

    The thing with high-speed trains is that you have to have a transport infrastructure to surround them. It's no good building a train from Orlando to Tampa if when you get to Tampa, you're left with a choice of an expensive, probably crappy taxi, a city bus or walking. Anyone who's been in either of those cities for more than two minutes knows how impractical walking just about anywhere is for a good eight months out of the year. And that's just the humidity. Doesn't even take into account lack of sidewalks, etc.

    Of course, if you're Joe Business going from New York to Boston, you were going to pay for some form of ground transport whether you fly or take the train. So that's less of a consideration.

    It also has to be a better alternative. Not the same as driving or flying. Better. So something has to differentiate the service. Eurostar between London and Paris isn't as quick as flying, when it comes to travel time, but if you factor in security, getting to the airport (the Eurostar terminal is in central London; Heathrow and Gatwick very much aren't), comfort, etc. etc., it becomes absolutely viable. And when you get to either side, there's a massive subway network at your disposal.
     
  3. Football_Bat

    Football_Bat Well-Known Member

    Going from downtown to downtown, a train gets you there faster in the Northeast than flying.

    That may be the only place where that works right now, but a train that gets you from Penn Station to downtown Chicago in 4 hours would be mighty attractive.
     
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