Rail advocate Lou Thompson says US high-speed rail needs sustained government funding because private investment alone cannot finance its construction and operation.
Thompson, a former World Bank railways adviser who helped establish Amtrak, told CNN that other governments committed to funding faster trains. Washington lacked both that commitment and the willingness to pay, he argued.
“Our government has never met those two conditions,” he said.
Andy Kunz, chief executive of advocacy group US High Speed Rail, blamed lobbying by road and aviation interests. He argued their influence pushed passenger rail behind competing transport priorities.
Distance presents another obstacle, according to Thompson. He argued flying becomes faster once rail journeys extend much beyond 400 miles.
Public funding should reflect benefits beyond ticket revenue, he added, including lower pollution, improved safety and better land use.
Kunz believes a successful Las Vegas–Southern California service could encourage demand for similar routes elsewhere.
Brightline continues its Miami–Orlando service while associated entities restructure their finances. The company says Brightline Trains Florida LLC, which operates the railway, remains outside the bankruptcy process.
Its Florida trains reach 125 mph along a 38-mile stretch near Orlando. Amtrak’s NextGen Acela can reach 160 mph, but only for short stretches.
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Brightline West plans a 218-mile route between Las Vegas, Nevada, and Rancho Cucamonga, California, outside Los Angeles. Its proposed trains would reach up to 200 mph.
Federal funding already forms part of the western project’s financing. The federal government announced a $3 billion grant for the route on December 8, 2023.
