When continuing to explore my independent research topic of the importance of investing in the Northeast Corridor, I came across an interview of a congressman saying, “Americans, we should have the freedom to travel at 250 miles per hour.” That one word, freedom, stood out to me. It’s used regularly in political discussions, but rarely when talking about something like public transit.
For millions of people across the United States, the freedom to move isn’t guaranteed and is often unreliable for many, which has been shown through the delays along the NEC. Without affordable or dependable transportation, opportunity shrinks vastly. Jobs become difficult to get to, schools too far, and places too time-consuming to reach. On an international level, Japan’s Shinkansen rail network and France’s TGV line are not just successful examples of infrastructure; but like a lifeline that doesn’t have to have a limit on possibilities for people.
I think the congressman’s message in his interview points to something with a much deeper meaning. High-speed rail and general transportation aren’t just about how fast one can travel, but about the fact that it should be a human right that Americans have the freedom to move forward, wherever they need to go.
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