People seem to want inter-regional passenger rail for it’s own sake and search around for a justification to stick on that preference. From an environmental pe

People seem to want inter-regional passenger rail for it’s own sake and search around for a justification to stick on that preference. From an environmental perspective low speed inter-regional fright rail makes a lot more sense. Where high(er) speed passenger rail could really shine is intra-regional lines. Granted stops slow things down, but the NYC region commuter lines (LIRR, MMR, NJT) have horrible average speeds. I understand from friends in greater DC and the Bay Area that the situations there are similar.