The Indicator from Planet Money Why the US chose not to have a passenger train system like Europe
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Dec 1, 2025 
In this discussion, Alan Zaremsky, a railroad engineering instructor at the University of Delaware, explores why the U.S. lacks a robust passenger train system like those in Europe and Japan. He explains the U.S. focus on freight over passengers due to economic priorities. Alan highlights geographical challenges and profit-driven freight models, detailing conflicts between freight and passenger needs. He also points to successful corridors and notes that building new passenger lines often requires public funding, making them less viable.
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First Ride On New Orleans–Mobile Line
- Stephen Basaha rode the inaugural Amtrak New Orleans–Mobile line and loved the scenery.
- The trip prompted the question: why doesn't the U.S. have more trains like Europe or Japan?
Freight-First Railroad Strategy
- The U.S. built railroads to maximize profitable freight, not frequent passenger service.
- That choice produced the world's best freight network but fewer city-to-city passenger trains.
Distance Makes Trains Less Competitive
- Spatial density shapes transport choices: Europe packs cities close together while the U.S. is vast and spread out.
- Long distances make trains slower than planes for many U.S. city pairs, reducing passenger rail demand.