Quote:
Originally Posted by Jibartik
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Of course there are instances where taking a train is better I said I love high speed rail you jerk.
But if you look at the vast majority of travel in areas where there are high speed rail, its business, no checked bags, and drivers available.
It's just not economically viable to solve any transportation issues.
Like, comon man, I am saying its not viable economicailly, nor is a solution for air travel, and your best argument is, some UK kids who are doing a hop over to paris to get faded for a weekend, is like the 1 instance where the train is superior in every way.
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Again, you’re delusional. And stop with this stupid “you’re best argument is <insert nonsense hyperbole and claim I said it>“ crap. It’s disingenuous and makes you look like an idiot.
I’ve lived in areas with high speed rail for the last 10 years. The Monday morning train is majority business travelers. I know. I’ve done it multiple times. If you polled the average Japanese business man, I will guarantee the vast majority would take the Shinkansen over flying. And they do. I know, because again, I’ve done it numerous times.
For a timing example, let’s take Amsterdam to Paris, since I did it about 4 weeks ago and had to choose between train and plane.
Costs for flights and train were pretty much the same. Airlines never offer cheap flights during business travel times. Try and actually book one of these cheap flights your listing at 7am.
Thalys train from Amsterdam central to downtown Paris is 3 hours 50 minutes. Let’s call it 4. Flight time is 1 hour 20 minutes. Let’s call that 1.5. We won’t check a bag, so let’s say we get to the airport an hour and a half early. That’s 3. After landing and taxing, and waking through the airport, probably 3.5 hours. Taxi from the airport to downtown (which is where I assume most business folk are going) is 45 minutes, or more with traffic. 4 hours 15 minutes total. So the train is a bit faster. And that doesn’t take into account the difference in times it takes to get to the train station/airport, which in my case is about the same. Since the train is much more comfortable, for the many reasons I listed previously, including the fact that I had a checked bag, I chose the train. And on that train the majority of people appeared to be business’s travelers, although I’m not sure how you really can tell that - they were well dressed and spent most of the ride on their phones/laptops. And on the way home I used the extra space in my checked bag to bring back a few bottles of nice French wine. Double win!
No one’s saying trains are “a solution” to air travel. What’s that even mean? It’s a nice alternative in certain situations. Situations I don’t think you understand. I’m not saying trains are the right thing for America, but I can say that you have no idea what you’re talking about from the perspective of countries that already have high speed rail.
Anyways. Bed time my euro expat ass. I’ll leave you with this - “shut the fuck Donnie, you’re out of your element”