U.S. needs to seriously invest in high-speed rails

Traveling through Europe, many Americans are often amazed and enthralled by all the public transportation, especially bullet and high-speed trains. Sadly, it may be a while before the United States sees a high number of high-speed trains.

On Tuesday Vice President Biden announced plans to expand high-speed passenger trains over the next six years. Biden laid out a $53 billion plan that would increase the number of Americans served by high-speed trains.

It’s no secret that the Obama Administration has pushed for improving the high-speed train infrastructure. In 2009, President Obama put $8 billion for high-speed rails into the stimulus package. In his State of the Union this year Obama challenged the nation to have high-speed rails serve 80 percent of the United States by 2025.

Sadly, like many things, the issue has become a political one. Republicans are opposing any effort to build high-speed rails and even some Democrats are balking at the amount of money and work it will cost.

I realize that it’s quite a lot of money to build a brand new infrastructure for 200 mph trains and Americans are always scared of something new. However, I fully support the idea of high-speed trains in the United States.

Honestly, I feel like it shouldn’t even be an issue. Everyone wants to be able to travel easier and faster. No one likes traffic—except radio stations. It’s 2011 we should be able to get across the country in a rapid way that’s not an airplane.

The government has poured so much money into the airline industry and highways so I don’t understand why they can’t suck it up and help pay for this new mode of transportation. Our current trains are ridiculously slow compared to the rest of the world. There is no reason for the United States to be lagging in something that other countries consider a staple to their daily lives—public transportation.

In the 19th century, this country put it’s hard work, blood, sweat and tears into building a cross-country railroad. It’s time for us to do it again, but with a modern twist.

The actual constructions of the rails will boost the economy of the nation while connecting it. Once connected, travel time will be reduced for passengers which will help cut down on travel costs. The high-speed rail market is just an untapped oil rig waiting to spew a geyser. The interest in the industry will bring about innovations that will once again put the U.S. back on top in terms of public transportation.

Building a national network of high-speed trains would connect this nation not only physically, but also mentally. It’s time for us to move on from the airline industry just to visit a state that’s two states over. It’s time for high-speed trains.

Posted by Matt Chambers on Feb 10 2011. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.