1. Environmental Impact
- Lower Carbon Emissions:
- Trains produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions per passenger-mile compared to airplanes, especially electric trains powered by renewable energy.
- High-speed rail systems, for example, emit up to 90% less CO₂ than short-haul flights.
- Energy Efficiency:
- Trains are more energy-efficient, using less fuel per passenger or ton of freight compared to airplanes.
2. Accessibility and Convenience
- Urban Connectivity:
- LRT systems are integrated into city infrastructure, making them ideal for short-distance travel and commuting within metropolitan areas.
- Train stations are often centrally located, unlike airports, which are usually on the outskirts of cities, requiring additional travel.
- Simpler Boarding Process:
- Trains generally have shorter check-in and boarding times compared to the lengthy security checks and procedures at airports.
3. Cost-Effectiveness
- Affordable Fares:
- Train and LRT tickets are often more affordable than plane tickets, especially for short- to medium-distance travel.
- Reduced baggage fees and no hidden charges make trains more economical.
- Infrastructure Costs:
- Maintaining train tracks and stations is often less expensive than the upkeep of airports and aviation facilities.
4. Comfort and Flexibility
- Spacious Seating and Amenities:
- Trains typically offer more legroom, larger seats, and the ability to move around freely during the journey.
- Many trains also have dining cars, restrooms, and scenic views.
- No Weather Delays:
- Trains are less likely to face delays due to weather conditions compared to airplanes, which can be grounded by storms or fog.
5. Safety
- Lower Accident Risk:
- Train travel has historically been safer than air travel, with fewer accidents and fatalities per passenger-mile.
6. Economic and Social Benefits
- Regional Development:
- Rail systems encourage economic growth by improving connectivity between cities and towns, fostering regional development.
- LRT systems reduce urban congestion and promote more sustainable urban planning.
- Job Creation:
- Building and maintaining rail infrastructure creates jobs and stimulates local economies.
7. Better for Short- and Medium-Distance Travel
- Time Efficiency:
- For short- and medium-distance routes (e.g., under 500 miles), trains are often faster when considering total travel time (including airport check-in and security).
- High-speed trains, like those in Europe or Japan, can rival the speed of airplanes over such distances.
1. Tearing up rural areas and knocking down trees and razing meadows to lay rail doesn't seem that environmentally friendly to me
2. Outside of the Northeastern United States, this doesn't exist in the United States
3. Debatable - Cheapest Amtrak ticket from Atlanta to Nashville is around 100 dollars but it'll take 16 hours to get there. Cheapest Spirit Ticket is around 75 dollars with an hour flight time.
4. I'll concede that point and say that train travel is more comfortable and not prone to the weather like flying is
5. Train accidents/incidents in 2023 in US - 4,845, Flight accidents/incidents in 2023 in US - 1,020
6. Lack of rail in my metro US area hasn't stopped urban sprawl in US suburbs and exurbs from my point of view.
7. See point 3 - 16 hour train ride to Nashville from Atlanta vs 4 hour car ride to Nashville to Atlanta vs 1 hour flight - Nashville to Atlanta
