[tanx16]

It's funny how the article entirely skips the possibility of traveling by train, which just shows how terrible the typical intercity transit option in Asia/Europe is entirely ignored due to the lack of infrastructure in the US. Amtrak is such a terrible experience most of the time with regular delays that it's almost never a good option for most travel.

For instance, the bus ticket from Boston to New York City is $30-40ish, while an Amtrak ticket is an insane $115, taking an hour longer. Why is Amtrak so expensive and slow here? IIRC the prevailing explanation is that freight/commercial trains have priority over commuter trains, which causes delays. Why is this a thing? Why is it so hard to create dedicated fast trains between major cities on the east coast, with this clear amount of demand?

[yuppie_scum]

If you book far enough in advance, or don’t mind a “red eye,” you can get really good deals on the Amtrak NE Regional.

[mikecoles]

Moving cargo makes money, moving people loses money.