How Will High Speed Rail Benefit the Community?

Fast, frequent, and affordable trains improve our communities—big and small—in three critical ways.

They Create Smart and Sustainable Growth

High-speed trains promote density by transforming land-development patterns.

Federal policies prioritize road building, which encourages more driving and spurs ever-more spending on road construction and repairs. This cycle generates sprawl and hollows out city centers. Trains break the cycle and create healthy, walkable and thriving city centers.

outdoor cafe
Pontiac, Illinois train station exterior

They Multiply Opportunities in Small and Mid-Sized Communities

Long drives are a normal part of daily life in rural areas—for work, shopping, and the trips to the nearest city.

Trains make life better by making many trips easier and more affordable. They can connect workers to jobs; make family outings fun; and establish links to markets and customers for businesses of all sizes.

Amtrak’s inter-regional trains are currently the foundation of the rural network. Upgrading them with high-performance trains will be game-changing.

They Improve Local Transit Options

High-speed trains boost and build on existing bus and rail systems.

Travelers use local transit to reach high-speed trains, for starters. And when they are well-coordinated and easily accessible, ridership increases on both high-speed rail and local transit systems. That builds political will and funding for the entire transportation network.

San Diego light rail
Two people about to hug on a train platform

Help Strengthen Your Community

Tell the United States Congress: It’s time to reconnect the country with high-speed and regional rail!

Sign the Petition

The Latest from HSRA

Our Latest Blog Posts

Check out the latest news, updates, and high speed rail insights from our blog!

What We Can Accomplish in 2026

What We Can Accomplish in 2026

More Amtrak equipment, California tunnels, Corridor ID on the list The movement to develop a great train network in the United States made undeniable gains in 2025: Illinois passed transit legislation worth $1.5 billion a year, which not only will continue to fund...

It Was a Good Year for Trains. Here’s How We Covered It.

It Was a Good Year for Trains. Here’s How We Covered It.

Here’s a roundup of big stories—with links—from a boffo year for passenger trains in general and high-speed rail in particular. California and Canada The year began with the Trump administration clawing back $4 billion in funding for California’s high-speed project....

11 Favorite Books, Articles, and Podcasts From 2025

11 Favorite Books, Articles, and Podcasts From 2025

The movement for fast, frequent, and affordable trains in North America is profoundly shaped by funding streams and budget priorities at all levels of government. Our list this year reflects that truth. Our strong spotlight on cars and highways is especially relevant...

Seven Reasons Planning for Frequency is Essential

Seven Reasons Planning for Frequency is Essential

“Frequency is freedom" —Jarrett Walker, Human Transit Frequency, combined with consistent headways, drives ridership. Greater frequencies reduce total travel times, serve different travel markets throughout the day, and improve system reliability. They make...