Public Transportation and Smart Growth

SARose

(1,621 posts)

2. America's underdeveloped passenger rail system isn't an accident

Wed Jun 25, 2025, 10:14 AM

Wednesday

The assertion highlights a rarely discussed historical reality: America’s underdeveloped passenger rail system isn’t an accident. It’s the result of decades of automotive industry influence that prioritized highway development over rail infrastructure. While Europe built extensive passenger rail networks that connect cities efficiently, the United States invested heavily in interstate highways that benefit private vehicle ownership.

Excerpt from the article above.

My parents put me and my younger brother aboard a train to Houston in 1963 by ourselves. We were lucky there was another sister/brother group traveling alone, too. The conductor kept close watch on us the whole way. Upon arrival in Houston, we could see our grandparents waiting on the platform. The conductor asked us “who is that?” - “Grandmother and Grandaddy” was the excited response!

I was hooked from that moment on.

My husband and I love to watch YouTube videos about train travel all over the world. We agreed we would love to do this but…Amtrak accommodations, meals, poor on time arrival and departure times make us wary.

I have never understood why the US lags so far behind, Europe, Asia and elsewhere in train accommodations - now I know.

How sad. Thanks!

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Bernie Moreno's war on rails: Is it about public service or personal profit? [View all] marmar Wednesday OP

It's about fighting those who don't use rail and don't want to, and the one man who owns the vast most of ... marble falls Wednesday #1

America's underdeveloped passenger rail system isn't an accident SARose Wednesday #2

I suspect that there are two other reasons for Senator Moreno's thinking Vogon_Glory Wednesday #3