Kristin Brey was joined by Rick Harnish, executive director of the High Speed Rail Alliance, to discuss an upcoming Milwaukee event focused on expanding passenger rail in Wisconsin and what it would take to bring true high-speed rail to the Midwest. Harnish, who founded the organization in 1993, explained that while high-speed rail has transformed travel in countries like Spain and China, the United States has largely remained focused on moving cars instead of people. He argued that modern rail service should be fast enough to cut driving times in half while offering frequent departures between major cities.
“We can make them even better by making it possible to get between them without a car — safely, productively and affordably.”
The conversation explored why the U.S. has struggled to develop high-speed rail despite decades of discussion. Harnish pointed to political priorities rather than technological limitations, arguing that lawmakers have never fully committed to building a statewide or national network. He also acknowledged the influence of the automobile industry, noting that decades of transportation policy have prioritized roads and highways over passenger rail infrastructure…