1d ago

High-speed rail construction since 2008

Data is Beautiful @lemmy.world

kingofras @lemmy.world

17h ago

56 comments

Shouldn't the blue bar be shown in miles?
But somehow we're supposed to believe them when they tell us we live in the Best Country In The World™*. They always forget the asterisk.
*Terms and conditions apply. "Best" is not a representation of universal experience; your experience may vary. Human rights abuse likelihood subject to change without notice, see Whitehouse.gov for details.
- And the most free country in the wold #Freedom
  Free to not have any vacation days, free to be bankrupted by medical debt, free to be fired from work because the shareholders can make even more money by having less employees, free to vote for one of two political parties with no real other choice.
lol the comment section is atrocious, Americans have no answers.
BUT
AT
WHAT
COST
????!!!??!!
- Are you referring to China's shitty government that commits genocide or am I missing the joke?
  
  "But at what cost" is a common refrain used by western media anytime China does something good. They are just poking fun at that
  
  China’s shitty government that commits genocide
  It's so crazy to live in a country where it's illegal to call Palestine a genocide and mandatory to call China one.
- Eh, the thing is a large majority of their limes are unprofitable for being largely underused
  Why did the Chinese take incredible amount of debt on to fund these lines that do not connect major population centers? Prob for that chart
  
  I know this might blow your mind but it is possible to build things in advance of demand and without a profit incentive
  
  Most of the lines are used fairly well. Overall ridership of the network was 3.2billion trips last year. It is still growing.
  As for the economics, it is infrastructure, which is going to last for a century or more. It obviously requires upgrades, but having a fast reliable, green form of transport between a countries large cities has a lot of advantages. Not the least are indirect economic advantages. Like for example making business trips easier, but also tourism. That is why Japan, South Korea and Western European countries built hsr as well.
  That also means taking on debt is somewhat sensible, as long as economic growth from the better connections is bigger then the cost of the debt. That is honestly just running the country like a business.
  
  large majority of their limes are unprofitable
  Waiting to hear this about the NYC MTA once Mamdani zeros out fares.
  
  This chart is a good example of what happens when transport infrastructure is judged through a purely economic lens versus what happens when affordable travel is seen as a necessary feature of a civilised society. (Not to mention the jobs created and the carbon saved.)
  
  Perhaps you could enlighten us with a map of profitable highways?
  
  Exactly. And as we all know, population stays the same over time. So it's truly a waste.
Do these guys not count because Florida? I know it's not as impressive as China's efforts, but it's something.
- Looks like it's because it's labeled as a Higher-Speed Rail rather than High-speed.
  
  Wow, talk about something intentionally named to be confusing and misleading.
  
  I'm gonna call it "sparkling regional train".
  
  Next we'll have Highest speed rail! Take that chINA
- 200 km/h does not HSR make. You gotta crack at least 250 for that
Joke's on you! If the chart was in miles it would be the other way around!
Cars <---> Fascism
- I am going to regret asking, but could you elaborate?
  
  Cars are opposed to fascism? Are they saying you need cars and car-dependent infrastructure to fight fascism? Or to prevent fascism. Clearly working very well in the US. Totally not fascist ICE arresting people off the street. Nothing to see here folks!

56 comments