Interstate High Speed Rail Competitors
Global Economic Competitors are building Interstate High-Speed Rail and Rapid Transit systems much faster than America. They do so because it yields massive benefits to society and the environment. Meanwhile, America delays 160-220 mph HSR and 110-140 mph Regional Rail construction at its competitive travel productivity peril.
European Union High-Speed Rail Map as of December 2025; source Wiki Commons
Throughout history, transportation advances have accelerated economic growth for cities, regions, and nations. In 1811, England pioneered the first practical train service between cities and seaports. In 1863, London built the world’s first Metro Rail subway system. Both transportation advances helped England’s economy outpace every other nation.
Passengers traveling within regions power their economies as much as freight movements. When passenger travel is delayed due to traffic congestion, their economic productivity slows. When Transportation Productivity lags in today’s competitive global economy, millions of jobs are at stake.
Our Global Economic Competitors’ accelerated construction of electric-powered Intercity Passenger Rail minimizes their need for highway & airport expansion while increasing economic productivity and decreasing airborne emissions. Collectively, they operate many thousands of 143-217 mph (230-350 kmph) High-Speed Rail (HSR) and 99-137 mph (160-220 kmph) Regional Rail between cities.
Global Economic Competitors Enjoying More Passenger Rail Benefits
America’s Global Economic Competitors are quickly expanding HSR and Regional Rail for these massive Transportation benefits:
PASSENGER CAPACITY: Passenger HSR vs. Highway + Airports; source U.S. High Speed Rail Association
1. High Capacity, Space-Efficient Alternative to Highways & Airports: 186 mph HSR can transport as many passengers as a 10-lane freeway plus two airports.
2. Time-Saving Alternative to Regional Flights: HSR Travel up 3.5 hours saves city-center to city-city Trip Time compared to flights in the same 150-500-mile corridor.
3. HSR lets Airports & Airlines Focus on 500+ Mile flights: Which limits smog & greenhouse gases from the majority of flights (regional) and limits taxpayer-funded airport expansions.
4. A balance of good Airport, HSR-Regional Rail, Highway & Rapid Transit infrastructure symbiotically lowers Highway and Aviation traffic congestion.
5. HSR and Regional Rail share some infrastructure : Lowers construction cost per mile while enabling better regional service.
6. Expand access to Affordable Housing: HSR & Regional Rail let workers commute from further distances where housing is cheaper to job centers.
7. Safer Travel: HSR, Regional Rail, and Rapid Transit saves millions of lives from automotive accidents each year.
8. Transportation-Oriented Development: HSR, Regional Rail, Rapid Transit at Intermodal Transportation Centers attract retail, office & hotel development jobs & sales taxes in cities.
9. Burn Less Oil for Transportation: A complete network of electric-powered HSR, Regional Rail, Commuter Rail, Metro Rail & Trams significantly reduces oil consumption.
Global Economic Competitor: CHINA
China opened its first 67 miles of 186 mph HSR during the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. By 2026, China passed 31,000 miles of 124-217 mph HSR transporting ~3.8 billion passengers per year. It invests ~$50 billion/year with a goal of 43,000 HSR miles by 2035. By 2040, China plans to anchor a Trans-Asia HSR Network spreading to India, Southeast Asia, North Korea, Russia, and possibly Turkey.
China High Speed Rail Network 2020; source Wikipedia
Global Economic Competitor: JAPAN
From 1964 to 2025, the Shinkansen HSR system in Japan has grown to 1834 miles operating at 155-199 mph top speeds. Since opening day, it has transported over 10 billion passengers through an earthquake and typhoon country with zero passenger fatalities.
By 2031, Japan plans to introduce ALFA-X train that better adapts to weather extremes and earthquakes. It will operate up to 224 mph on Japan’s northern Tokyo-Sapporo HSR route while consuming the same energy as current generation Shinkansen trains at 199 mph.
By 2035, Japan plans to complete all Shinkansen lines and open Phase 1 311 mph MagLev between Tokyo and Nagoya. Phase 2 Nagoya-Osaka MagLev extension is planned to open shortly after 2040.
Japan High-Speed Rail Network in 2024; source Wiki Commons
Global Economic Competitor: SOUTH KOREA
In 2004, South Korea opened the first HSR line between its two largest cities, Seoul and Busan. In 2023, South Korea’s HSR expanded to 763 miles. By 2035, South Korea will have over 1000 miles of 155-217 mph HSR blanketing its high-population corridors.
Global Economic Competitor: INDIA
India is using Japanese technology to open a 199 mph, 316-mile HSR route in 2026, followed by an extension in 2028. It is building four more 199 mph HSR routes for an additional 2,070 miles anticipated by 2031 and significantly more mileage by 2040.
India High-Speed Rail Plan as of 2023; credit Footy2000/Wiki Commons 3.0
Global Economic Competitor: SOUTHEAST ASIA
Using Chinese loans and technology, Indonesia just opened its first 217 mph 89-mile HSR route. A longer extension is planned to open by decade-end.
As part of its Belt & Road Initiative, China is also helping to fund a Kumming-Singapore HSR route connecting China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore by 2036.
Southeast Asia HSR Under Construction/Planned Map; (c) Classical Geographer/Wiki Commons
Global Economic Competitor: EUROPE
Most American visitors are amazed by transportation lifestyles in advanced East Asian and West European nations, where residents have higher usage of HSR, Regional Rail, Commuter Rail, Metro Rail, Trams, local buses, and bikeways. As the centerpiece, HSR is Apex Ground Transportation that sets schedules for Regional Rail, Commuter Rail, Metro Rail, Trams, Intercity buses, and local buses.
France: This nation has 1740 miles of 186-199 mph HSR. Along with Italy, it is building an HSR tunnel through the Alps that will dramatically shorten Trip Times in the Paris-Lyon-Torino-Milan corridor. By 2035, France will blanket its nation with 2700 miles of 186-224 mph HSR connecting with thousands of 137 mph Regional Rail miles to smaller cities. By 2040, hundreds of European cities will be within a 3.5-hour HSR or Regional Rail ride from France’s two largest metro areas, Paris and Lyon.
Spain: No European nation has embraced HSR more than Spain, which opened its first HSR line in 1993. Building an astonishing rate, Spain’s AVE HSR Network passed 2400 miles of 186-193 mph service in 2024. By 2040, Spain will blanket its nation with 3045 HSR miles of 186-217 mph service, two HSR connections to France, two HSR connections to Portugal, plus several hundred miles of Regional Rail service.
Italy: In 2024, Italy had 605 miles of 155-186 mph HSR. Its oldest high-speed line (Rome-Florence) is being upgraded to 168 mph and more frequent service. By 2032, an LGV under the Alps from France to Italy will open. Italy is on pace for 1000 miles of 155-186 mph HSR along with a thousand miles of 124-137 mph Regional Rail blanketing its nation by 2040.
Germany: In 2024, Germany reached nearly 1200 miles of 124-186 mph service. That nation is accelerating upgrades & construction to 143-186 mph HSR. By 2040, about 2500 miles of German HSR will blanket the nation and connect more HSR lines to France, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, Czechia, and Poland.
Switzerland. In 2020, this small nation opened three lengthy tunnels supporting 124-143 mph HSR through the Alps. By 2035, Switzerland will have nearly a thousand miles of 124-143 mph HSR interconnecting France, Italy, Germany, and Austria.
Belgium & Netherlands: In 2020, these Dutch countries reached 417 miles of 155-186 mph HSR service. By 2035, Belgium and the Netherlands will have over 500 miles of 155-186 mph HSR, including interconnections to France and Germany.
United Kingdom: In 2024, the UK has a 186 mph Eurostar HSR to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, a 143 mph Regional Rail to the western UK, and a bevy of 124 mph routes. In 2032, the 220 mph London-Birmingham HSR route opens. By 2040, the UK will have over 1500 miles of 124-217 mph HSR & Regional Rail.
Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Ireland, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, and Turkey have more HSR lines under construction and planned for completion by 2040.
European Union HSR Trip Times planned by 2040; © European Union
By 2040, the Europe Commission anticipates 49,400 HSR kilometers (30,700 miles) at 250-355 kmph (155-220 mph) interconnecting the continent for shorter Trip Times between city pairs. They also recognize more latent demand for city center-to-city center train travel for 4 hours or less daytime and 6-10 hours overnight.
The European Commission also anticipates High-Speed Train competitors lowering ticket fares and more in-station Transportation-Oriented Development funding system expansion, like Japan has mastered.
America has been left in the dust. In 2026, our nation has less than 250 miles operating at 125-160 mph in the Northeast Corridor and another 25 miles operating at 125 mph in Florida.
Even with recent investments, America would have less than 700 miles of 125-220 mph HSR and Regional Rail by 2035.
Part 3 of this series illuminates a more rationale to accelerate HSR, Regional Rail, and Rapid Transit construction worldwide.