ITF Round Tables The Economics of Investment in High-Speed Rail.

High-speed trains can compete successfully with road, air and conventional rail services on densely trafficked routes where willingness to pay is sufficient at the relatively elevated fare levels needed to cover costs. High-speed rail investments can also relieve congestion on the conventional rail network, and the capacity for high-speed rail to provide fast city centre to city centre services creates new possibilities for day-return business trips and short-stay leisure trips. The long cost recovery periods for high-speed lines imply government involvement in the financing of most investment.  Read more...