"the flatlands of Japan"???????? Look at the topological map of Japan, and tell me that it's flat. 90% of Japan is mountain. What a bunch excuses.

The US is now completely incapable of building any large infrastructure project. Every project is ridiculously politicized and seen as a giant money grab bag that results in grossly inflated costs and endless delays.

One major reason the US will never have a high speed rail system boils down to politics. In order to function efficiently, a high speed rail system has to be a point to point rail line, with few, if any, intermediate stops. This is because the trains achieve their efficiency thru long uninterrupted runs at high speed. A line from New York to Miami, to give an example, might stop in Philadelphia, and Washington, DC., and maybe one other stop. But politics being what it is, every representative, whose district the line passes thru, will not vote for the funding unless the high speed line includes a stop in HIS district. So a stop in every congressional district between New York and Miami will render the "high speed" train no faster than a conventional passenger train.

0:48: 🚄 The US lags behind in high-speed rail, but it could provide environmental benefits and alleviate congestion 4:08: 🚆 High-speed rail is gaining popularity in America, but the only true high-speed rail system under construction is in California, which is facing budget and construction challenges. 08:04: 💰 The primary reason why America is behind on high-speed rail is due to lack of funding and political will. 11:54: 🚆 Private companies and tech giants are investing in high-speed rail projects in the US, with some optimism for the future of train travel. 15:25: 🤔 It is unlikely for California to catch up with the world's quick deployment of projects due to various hindrances. Recap by Tammy AI

USA: we are a car country Japan: No problem, how many do you need?

So basically, again in the history of America, a faster and much more efficient process was abandoned for slower and less efficient process because the money of large companies was more important

What about China who builds high speed rail in Tibet which is 3000m above sea level featuring 47 tunnels and 121 bridges. Terrain and geography isn't the excuse here.

Whoever thinks the average Americans do not need high rail system please pay a trip to Japan, Taiwan, and China to first-handed experience the convenience of the mass transportation. Don't be shy of changing your opinion once you open your eyes.

US: Japan didn't have to deal with mountains. Japan: whole island is made up of mountains. Builds the shinkansen line to Nagano in the 1990s for the Winter Olympics in the JAPANESE ALPS.

So many excuses.. High speed rail in Germany and France goes right through densly populated and mountainous regions.

If i live in US and my property is getting in the way of the railway line, i will happily give up my property with an appropriate compensation fee which will be reinvested to the railway business

China is filled with mountains, If High-Speed Rail is implemented it will boost economy and job growth. Most times it amazes me greatly how I moved from an average lifestyle to earning over $63k per month, Utter shock is the word. I have understood a lot in the past few years that there are lots of opportunities in the financial market. The only thing is to know where to invest.

saying japan and china can build easier because its flat there is BS. Japan bore through every mountain and China bridges over any body of water, meanwhile CA can't even complete a route through the flat valley

I am Japanese. In Japan, 70% is occupied by mountains, and has a complicated topography. The Shinkansen also passes through many mountains. That is why the long nose of the Shinkansen was born. The long nose gradually reduces the air pressure by gradually increasing the surface area from the tip so that no explosion noise is generated when entering the tunnel at high speed.

I really enjoyed the Auto train from DC to Florida. More such railroad should be built. Much waited Houston to Dallas line.

Took Chinese high speed rail Shanghai to Beijing and back, 860 miles.Took about 6 hours including two stops, Nanjing and Tianjin. They now have trains that do it in 4.5 hrs. These trains are wonderful. Big difference between China and U.S. other than style of government is that many Chinese officials were trained as engineers, while here we have a lot of lawyers.

"Flat lands of japan" ARE YOU JOKING?! Look at a map and show me those flat lands, or maybe leave out Japan of that sentence, would it have been so hard to mention just 1 example?

I'm an American and served in the military. In the 90s I was in Tokyo and when I got back to the states I was ashamed of our current infrastructure. We are so far behind

Blame the airline, automobile, and oil & natural gas companies' greed for our antiquated transportation system!

Correct me if I'm wrong, Indonesia has already launch this kind high-speed railway, not only the first in Southeast Asia, but also the world's first among other southern hemisphere countries, named Whoosh!

It's been drilled into American heads that using public transportation is low-class and only for the poor. When I fly to Europe, I never rent a car. Rail is boss. Once you ride the rails in Switzerland, your whole idea about rail travel will change! 🇨🇭

USA: lets build a bullet train = no budget USA: let’s go to war = no problem

Why we don't? Because we are obsolete loosers. Coming from Asia trip Japan China, and S. Korea being my favorites with public transportation fascinating and the prices relatively cheap. Coming back to the USA was like going back 35 yrs. Really sad seeing Amtrak hahaha absolute pain to my eyes and our ego.

dallas to houston in an hour. Just imagine

And although the us car manufacturers practically eliminated all the "rivals" on the rails, the two biggest car companies are not Ford or General Motors, but Toyota from Japan and Volkswagen from Germany. What a sweet irony...

US : Our country isn't flat enough. France and UK : Should we tell them we have rails under the sea ?

"Why The US Has No High-Speed Rail?" Answer: Americans are freaking stubborn and want the "freedom" of driving and owning a car

*But trains in USA derail pretty often, and derailing at those speeds, can be devastating for all passengers.*

High speed rail? Hell some cities in the USA can't even get a light rail system lmao 😂 😂😂 😂

No offense guys but as a German I felt like in a 3. world country, when I was taking a train from NY Penn Station to DC.

I would love to see a speed train from NYC to Chicago directly. Several airlines have one flight every hour from each of the 3 airports to Chicago's 2 airports. Imagine!

I take the local electric train, the Metro, 50 miles across LA right now, when I need to go.. It's faster than driving. It's far less stressful. And it is a lot cheaper, and I have a car that gets 30-40+ mpg. Or less in stop and go driving, which is pretty much the way it is now, from almost sun up to sun down. I'm never alone on the train, there are a lot of people taking it. I've ridden the train from LA to SF. Of course it's ridding on buses over half the way there and takes longer than driving. Cheaper though.

A fully integrated high speed rail system that extended across the entire US would probably do wonders for the economy and job growth. Think about it...if you live in Houston but had the ability to travel to Dallas in 90 minutes, you suddenly aren’t confined to your small corner of the world.

the "flatlands of japan where they built the shinkansen" Has this man been to Japan?

Honestly. Even on a good day it takes over 3 hours to get to my grandparents house. Id love to take the bus to Seattle and then be in Portland in a little over an hour.

America would rather have you sit in traffic for hours in a city instead of a train that doesn't stop moving

When I visited Europe I loved doing 300kmh/187mph on the trains there. Smooth, fast, safe, clean. Awesome. So much better than being stuck in traffic.

Here's the problem, plain and simple, politicians are elected by people, but they are lobbied by corporate America who cares more about profits than Americans.

If we got rid of lobbying which is just legalized bribery we wouldn’t need to own a car just to get to work or around town in general.

Car ownership has been a financial drag against the lower middle class and the middle class,.

The "flatlands" of Japan had me dying hahahahahaahaha

*“Flatlands of japan??!”* He has no idea what he’s talking about 😂😂😂. Japan is literally just mainly mountains

The main problem with HSR funding is the fact that a lot of US states like to build via contractors, which makes everything more expensive in building

They had plans to connect the "Texas Triangle" (Houston − Dallas- San Antonio) with a privately financed high-speed train system. Funding for the project was to come entirely from private sources, since Texas did not allow the use of public money. The original cost was $5.6 billion, but the task of securing the necessary private funds proved difficult. Southwest Airlines, with the help of lobbyists, created legal barriers to prohibit moving forward and the entire project was eventually stopped in 1994, when the State of Texas withdrew the franchise.Several hotel chains like Days Inn, Best Western, and La Quinta Inn, as well as fast food Restaurants like McDonald's and Burger King lobbied against the plan, mainly because many of their locations were along Interstates and in several highway-dependent rural towns.

Every problem in America starts off like “well some rich people felt like they weren’t making enough money”

America: our country isn’t flat enough. Switzerland: hey? What about building a nearly 50 kms long train tunnel trough a mountain wich is 2100 meters high? (Gotthard basis tunnel) UK and france: how about building a track under an ocean?

I actually just visited Seattle on vacation and I was so impressed with their railway system. I was able to go throughout the city and surrounding areas for such a low price. It seems like such a progressive city and I know they have lots of traffic. They are not done with the rail system also. It's what happens when you extend capitalism for the social benefit for the masses of people. Not abusing the system.

Oil, auto, real estate, and insurance companies are all gang up on California High-Speed Rail Project.

“Flat lands of Japan” this guy clearly doesn’t know what he is talking about

i mostly work abroad, China, Germany France, Korea. Every time i come back to LA, take a taxi to H405...terrible... it seems stepping back in the 1950s.

the flatlands of japan?? lol there’s so many tunnels and mountains

The video is three years old. So, just out of curiosity, how many miles of high-speed (200-220 mph) railways are there in the US now?

US: We have no money for it! Also US: spends hundreds of billions getting involved with foreign wars we don't need to For all of those in the comments, I'm aware that the US needs to keep some people in line, but surely we can cut a little bit of spending without major issues. It's not like diverting some funds will suddenly make us vulnerable.

Uh Japan is mostly mountains, and the Shinkansen has to go through them. It's by no means a flat country.

I had a good look thanks. In order for Acela to run faster than it is now, the Northeast Main Line needs to be speeded up, but the answer is to build a dedicated high-speed train line between Washington DC-New York-Providence.(When upgrading existing railroads, there must be absolutely no railroad crossings in all areas.) If you have to make it underground inevitably along the existing route along the beach, you have to boldly make it an underground route. In addition, the routes are extended to Ottawa-Scranton-Maryland-Washington D.C., Providence-Portland-Bangor-Holton, and Washington D.C-Richmond-Goldsboro-Wilton. . Washington D.C-Charlotte-Atlanta-New Orleans-Galveston-Corpus Christi-Mexico City-Acapulco I hope that the high-speed rail will be built to make Washington D.C-Mexico City faster and closer. For the success of the high-speed rail construction in the USA! (Texas High-Speed ​​Railroad) If some sections do not work well due to land expropriation opposition from polar land owners (opponents of the high-speed rail), it is better to build a high-speed rail with an underground road in that section. . Depth 50-60m. There is no reason for the high-speed train to be delayed because of some sections. South Korea (Seoul, Busan, Gyeongbu, Suseo-Dongtan, Suseo High-Speed ​​Railroad), China, and even some European countries have high-speed rails with some sections underground, but there is no need to build them only on the ground. or overpass. You can take a high-speed train in another country or look up an encyclopedia and actively deal with it. Because there is nothing wrong. (About the Florida high-speed rail route)Sorry for the speed. If electrification was done, the train would be able to run faster... Germany's ICE-T (it can be introduced only after receiving budget support and electrification) or TCE-TD (diesel with tilting function can run quickly without the need for electrification) We hope that it will become a bright line that can run faster than before by introducing tilting trains such as the only diesel-powered high-speed train.).

The development of HSR in USA will really depend on the system and financial performance of Brightline and Brightline West. If these railways prove to be successful technically and financially, then more private enterprises and investors will appear.

“The flatlands of Japan.” What the heck was that guy talking about? There are no flatlands in Japan and I can promise you that, on the times I’ve ridden the Shinkansen up and down Japan, it goes through the mountains that make up more than 70 of the country.

The man said that the lands of Japan and China were flat lands. At the same time, a large percentage of land in Japan is mountainous. Moreover, China has recently built a railline on the roof of the world in which 90% of the line goes through tunnels and viaducts.

Honestly, I'd donate a few dollars towards a public high-speed rail project.

its hillarious. im watching this from the uk.... we are in exactly the same place when it comes to the issues of our rail network. we are making one really reeeeeally short high speed route, a drop in the ocean compared to the rail network of the uk... its had to be cut back considerably because of the immense rising cost to build... infact the cost is enough to completely overhaul (current state) the entire uk rail system.

We don't have "high speed" rail because we have "high speed" corruption.

A high speed rail system would help people living in poor areas with limited resources to obtain better jobs and gain financial opportunities currently unavailable to them due to limited transportation.

This kinda funny the country like USA no has a bullet train

1980s: Chinese delegates travel to the US to know how they got developed. 2020s: Looks like the US delegates need to go to China to know how they're developing now.

"Freedom on wheels" Say that to a NY cop when you get pulled over for 50% window tint when you're just going to work.

I live in Amsterdam. This Friday I will take a train to Paris. The journey takes 3h20. The ticket cost me €35.

The Tokaido Shinkansen - there are 66 tunnels - 68.6km in 515.3km line between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, . The Sanyo Shinkansen, which was built after the Tokaido Shinkansen, has a total of 142 tunnels and 280km of tunnels. As for the Hokkaido Shinkansen, it has the Seikan Tunnel, which is 70% of the entire line is a tunnel. Yep, very "flat" country

Wait they have to drive everywhere and they think it's normal. * *Laughs in European* *

Because we have a strong lobby against it. That’s why we don’t have them, has nothing to do with not having the money.

US spent 700 billion dollars every year in defense but suddenly High speed train are too expensive?

When I was in university on a summer vacation I rode Eurorail from Paris to Athens for $90.00. Add it up!

We've similar problems here in the UK to those in California. I wasn't aware of how the big corporations colluded like that, I guess they may of done it here in the sixties under the guise of cost cutting (the Breeching cuts).

Something no one wants to admit, in America, there are a lot of DEATHS that go with driving cars.

"Flatlands of Japan where they built the shinkansen" Americans: Jeografi

I would really like to see an update to this article, considering it came out before the pandemic ????

I think California tried high-speed rail and never finished it.

“The US is now completely incapable of building any large infrastructure project. Every project is ridiculously politicized and seen as a giant money grab bag that results in grossly inflated costs and endless delays” ~Matt Bonneville, 7 months ago

The only thing really broken and outdated in this country is it’s government.

The African Union (AU) is developing an integrated high speed rail network covering the entire continent, connecting most major cities, industrial area, ports etc. The network corridor will also facilitate lines for power, data and gas etc. Several countries already have hsr up and running: Morocco, Egypt, Tanzania, Nigeria etc. Nigeria this year acquired 2 high speed trains from Milwaukee that were destined for hsr in that state that was scuttled due to politics.

There are some risks that need to be made. There NEEDS to be some sacrifice for efficiency, sometimes there might not be a cheap route.

@7:20 did the expert just say it’s flat land in Japan and they haven’t dug too many tunnel! Dude have you even used the Shinkansen once? They have tunnelled through mountains to keep the track straight!

Let me tell u what your problem is America. . . . *LOBBYING*

Second: in the mid - 1920s, many countries financed their investments through loans from the US. While it was often extremely easy to raise loans in the US when the going was good, US overseas lenders panicked at the first sign of trouble. In the first half of 1928, US overseas loans amounted to over $ 1 billion.

The more content I consume regard high speed rail and America's highway system only deepens my desire to see more development of train infrastructure throughout the country

No tunneling in Japan? Are you kidding me? Have you looked at a map? Sure, the first lines didn't have many tunnels, and were built almost solely on flatlands along the coast. After all, they are from the 60s and 70s, when tunneling was extremely expensive, not to mention slow. However, recent lines are very tunnel-heavy, travelling long stretches through mountains. The new line between Tokyo and Osaka is practically a metro, with 90% of the line being underground! What an absolutely ridiculous thing to say.

WTF! Some of the Shinkansen lines in Japan go through mountain areas and need a lot of tunnels. Nothing about the flatlands he talks about. A considerable portion of the line Tokyo-Osaka runs in tunnels. And the line going underwater to Hokkaido...

It wouldn't hate if America could learn from China. I mean China builds longer tracks for a small percentage of is costing California.

I've heard many times that so-called economic analysts in the US are complaining about the debt of the Chinese high-speed railway. But in the future, it will become difficult for the US to update or even build their crumbling infrastructures with new ones because of high labour costs and commodity prices.

I once took the high speed from London to Paris. The ticket was 200 lbs, but the ticket seller asked me if I was over 65-yes- so they only charged me 90 lbs! 200 miles an hour. I put a glass of water on the table and nothing shook- it was completely still. There was no sound. After an hour I debarked the Gare du Nord in the heart of Paris. LOVED IT! I could ride high speed forever I am retired, and if we had what Europe has I would get up in the morning and say "Oh I'm going to San Francisco today" and have a tranquil happy trip. All you need is a ticket-they take care of everything else.

The U.S is becoming a living time capsule. We are supposed to be innovative but lag in basic transportation options. It's almost 2020 and we don't have an high speed rail system smh. U.S is way too corrupt!

just want to say that... in mexico arround the time this video came out they started buiding a railway... 960 miles... and its going to be finish this december 2023... and its only 20 billion... so the US really needs to step it up

1. Personal expression through car ownership 2. Distributed pre-existing universal network 3. Reliability by distributed ownership 4. Personal space, cargo flexibility 5. Cars are faster point to point than rail

2:43: This is the American Dream, a freedom on wheels *_shows traffic jam_

During the 15 years of living and working in China, I saw the high speed rail system come into fruition. When I first arrived, they were still using the lower speed "D" trains in most places I traveled to. They still have lower speeds for those that can't afford a higher-priced ticket of the high speed trains. But don't get me wrong, the high speed are actually very affordable for the majority of citizens and guests. I would pay roughly $5 for a shorter trip of maybe 30-40 miles and then of course the prices would increase the farther I would travel. Plus there were options of regular class, 1st class, and in some cases, business class. There were sleeper cars but I never saw dining cars. Staff would push carts through on a regular basis with drinks and snacks and of course ramen noodles (hot water available by the bathrooms!) and even meals akin to airline meals. The USA is missing so much advancement due to sleazy politics and corporate greed!

Car companies will run out of business.

lol Why is left up to the State of CA to build the rail? This should be a federal project. How ridiculous. All of China pays for the rail. They don't leave it up to a province to pay for it.

Well... About 70% of the land in Japan is a mountain And has an earthquake

Bring back trains. I’m tired of traffic and paying for insurance and car bills.

I took trip on Amtrak from St Louis to KCMO in 2016. The trains are old, cramped, offers no amenities. And few small towns connected virtually ghost towns. Sad state of affairs.

Because bureaucracy favors inclusivity and bloated unions which focus less on the actual goal of high speed rail and more on employee benefits, totally disregarding talent, efficiency, and productivity.