The positive impact on economy, climate and transportation
The eight benefits of high-speed rail
1. The fastest way to travel
On distances between 200 and 800 km, high-speed rail offers the fastest way to travel. Major European hubs like Hamburg and Frankfurt thus become accessible within 2 hours, the trip from Amsterdam to Berlin will take 2.5 hours only, and to Copenhagen and Munich you will be able to travel within 3.5 hours.
2. Intermediate stops possible too
Unlike an airplane, high-speed rail track can also service a train that makes stops every 200 km. For example, Groningen and Enschede will be reached from Amsterdam in less than an hour, and cities as Bremen and Hanover will also be reached faster than possible by car, bus or plane.
3. Investing in economy and prosperity
Faster travel times from a non-stop connection between Amsterdam and Hamburg, Berlin and Frankfurt will improve the competitive advantage of the Netherlands and of Europe. And not just for the urbanized western part of the country: for example, in addition to a non-stop train between Amsterdam and Berlin, a train with a stop in Enschede and Hanover can run over the same track at a different time. This will strengthen the economy of these regions too.
4. Environment and climate: the greenest way to travel
Traveling by high-speed train is the most sustainable way to travel. The British government has commissioned research that takes all factors into account: emissions of CO2, nitrogen and particulates, as well as emissions above an altitude of three kilometers (many reports exclude “emissions at altitude,” which when compared gives the airplane an edge over other means of transportation since it is the only one traveling the gross of the trip above this altitude). The study found high-speed rail (Eurostar in Britain) to be by far the cleanest option.
5. Relief of Schiphol Airport
The nuisance of Schiphol Airport and its lack of capacity can be improved by replacing short-haul flights with high-speed rail transport. It leads to lower greenhouse emissions, less noise pollution and it also reduces the capacity problems that Schiphol Airport has faced for many years.
6. Solution for congested roads
The rapidly growing Dutch population and increased prosperity lead to more travelers, resulting in congested roads. Construction of high-speed rail allows more transportation by rail, reducing congestion on the roads as a result.
7. Lower passenger fares due to competition
The three countries in Europe with a successful high-speed network have built end-to-end high-speed rail between major cities. By using dedicated track for HSR, these high-speed trains are not hampered by regular (slower) trains, thus allowing competitors on that track as well. France has three competitors on its high-speed rail, Italy also three, and Spain as many as four companies. Thanks to competition, fares have decreased significant: on the Madrid – Alicante route, tickets were recently offered at 7 euros.
8. The most comfortable way to travel
Traveling by high-speed rail is the most convenient way to travel. While passengers in car,s bus and plane spend a long ride in a seat with little to no room to move, high-speed trains offers much more space. You can walk to the dining carriage, or enjoy the view of the changing European landscapes gliding past you.
Also interesting
Articles are regularly published about the opportunities HSR offers and the social challenges it solves.