Hmmm......Our leaders have always lacked vision. We would be the wealthiest country on earth - without them dragging us down the gurglar. One brilliant idea they have never entertained seriously is high-speed rail...as in Shinkansen, Japanese bullet trains. That is being superseded in Japan by Maglev trains - the Tokyo-Osaka route is underway....But even the current generation of Shinkansen are awesome. We use them for Tokyo-Kyoto.....Why take a flight from Haneda to Kansai airport and then a tedious bus to Kyoto? Quick taxi to Tokyo station with a bit of luggage - or take a very cheap train....And get on an extremely comfortable and very quick Shinkansen that will deliver you to downtown Kyoto. I never actually timed it but 2 hours even would be about right....quick stops in Yokohama and a couple others like Nagoya on the way....Speedo over the carriage doors show the speed....Normally just shy 0f 300kmph....when at max cruise....Trains like these would see Australians using them by the millions. No airport hassles, travel outside the city to the airports, time wasting with the procedural rubbish.....The trains, rock up to the station in the middle of the city, flash your ticket to the conductor, enjoy the supremely comfortable ride with plenty of legroom....and in Japan anyway, some great snacks being displayed by the occasional trolley....
Currently JR (Japan Railways) and its divisions are assisting Shinkansen projects in India, UK, Texas, and I believe Malaysia-Singapore - but not sure if that one is locked in yet. There may be others....We are being left behind of course, and we are the most perfect place in the world - for bullet trains....
