Nothing says the US shouldn’t be able to achieve this. It’s about priorities.

China’s success with high speed rail has led to the meteoric rise of CRRC to become (by some metrics) the largest rail car/tech manufacturer in the world. Surpassing much older giants like Alstom (🇫🇷) & Siemens (🇩🇪).

After all… America did loose the Budd Company decades ago due to the disinvestment into rail. Right when European and East Asian countries were first developing their HSR systems.

It begs the question, how far could a country like the US get if they truly double down on high speed rail? Should Siemens’s concept for high speed rail tech in the US become a reality, this could be the genesis for a US passenger rail tech industry revival.

Nevertheless, Korea has taken great advantage over the years to develop their own standards and technologies for HSR. I have to say the new KTX-청룡 (Cheongryong) are lovely vehicles capable of 320kph.

… And yes, both the trains and station have that sweet sweet new station smell! 🤩

With more lines (GTX D,E,F,G) it’s amazing to see Seoul set ambitious goals fit for a metropolitan region of over 26 million people. A reminder of how much more we could be doing in North America (and elsewhere)

Once again, high speed regional metro networks are changing the landscape throughout major cities is Asia, it’s crucial to understand that much of what has driven the development of the GTX plan is a serious concern for quality of life.

With both the northern and southern legs of GTX A opened, the central tunnel from Suseo to Seoul station is expected to open in the next couple years. Construction is also underway for GTX lines B & C, planned to open the first 3 lines fully by 2030

With an average commute time of 82 minutes, the Seoul region sorely needs this investment, this section of GTX A will reduce travel times from up to 90 minutes down to 22 minutes.

This section is part of the greater GTX master plan that the government is building out to create an express regional network to reduce travel times across the metro area. Trains have a max speed of 180kph! (110 mph).

📍2) Seoul

Every time I come to Hong Kong I end up loving it more 🤩

And as if that wasn’t enough, the airport is served by several cross border ferries and buses allowing it to serve the greater pearl river delta region with multimodal efficiency.

Don’t live near an Airport Express station? Prefer a one-seat ride to your home? Hong Kong Airport’s bus station is served by over 80 (!!) routes that together offer 24hour service across the city, many use special buses with luggage racks and spacious layouts.

And for what? A fast (130kph) comfortable, frequent (every 10 minutes) service connecting to the city centre in less than 30 minutes. Departing passengers can also check in their bags from the AirPort Express stations.

Want to talk about seamless transit? Airport transit riders don’t have to bother with fare gates as the ride is paid at the end (all payment methods accepted btw), making the plane to train experience fast and efficient.