HSR is for commuting in additional to longer travel. I say this as someone that uses the HS1 line in the UK to commute to London at 140mph.
The key is the commute is under an hour, one stop, and it’s into London which a massive source of jobs in South east England.
I agree with your comment that HSR doesn’t do well for a decade. My train runs on the Eurostar line. That took a decade to draw people from planes. And the domestic train that I catch is now standing room only into London.
The key is the commute is under an hour, one stop, and it’s into London which a massive source of jobs in South east England.
I agree with your comment that HSR doesn’t do well for a decade. My train runs on the Eurostar line. That took a decade to draw people from planes. And the domestic train that I catch is now standing room only into London.