I imagine if any party in power talked seriously about making cross-country HSR happen, it would raise levels of public excitement that haven’t been seen in generations.
I realize there are powerful interests that don’t want the country to feel so unified (in multiple senses) and they would inevitably fight against it, but I bet it wouldn’t take as much as people think to excite the public imagination over the possibilities this could bring for everyone.
edit
Also, I’m sure any one of us who has used HSR (or even regular rail) before in other countries (and who don’t have a direct conflicting interest in getting people into cars or planes) would sing its praises to anyone who would listen.
People who think HSR can be slapped up willynilly across the mountains, are poor students of history.
It just requires political will. Something lacking these days with all lacklustre politicians.
Japan has had it since the 60s, so it’s definitely doable and they have similar mountain issues to Canada (tunnels anyone?).
It would cost billions or trillions in public infrastructure costs which would make cons even more insane than they already are though…
HSR across Canada and down to the US would be amazing.
I imagine if any party in power talked seriously about making cross-country HSR happen, it would raise levels of public excitement that haven’t been seen in generations.
I realize there are powerful interests that don’t want the country to feel so unified (in multiple senses) and they would inevitably fight against it, but I bet it wouldn’t take as much as people think to excite the public imagination over the possibilities this could bring for everyone.
edit Also, I’m sure any one of us who has used HSR (or even regular rail) before in other countries (and who don’t have a direct conflicting interest in getting people into cars or planes) would sing its praises to anyone who would listen.