Latest news with #bulletrain
Japan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
India wants more Japan involvement in its high-speed rail project
The Indian government is pushing for more involvement by Japan in India's national high-speed railway project, according to informed sources. India expects Japan to submit bids for routes other than the one under construction in western India that is set to utilize the Shinkansen bullet train technology, the sources said Wednesday. With hopes high on the Indian side, arrangements are under way to hold a summit between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi around Aug. 29, when the latter is due to visit Japan.
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Traveler shares eye-opening comparison between premium sections on bullet train: 'We need high-speed trains everywhere'
Traveler shares eye-opening comparison between premium sections on bullet train: 'We need high-speed trains everywhere' Travel influencer Sarah (@sarahsdailypov) recently took a few train trips in China and was eager to share her experience with TikTok. She was especially interested in comparing the upper-end business class to the premier class. Business class costs more than twice as much as premier, so it was fair to wonder where that money was going. She ran through the various amenities, including seat configurations, charging access, roominess, and snacks. The biggest difference was that the business class seats reclined fully. Sarah concluded that business class was worth the added cost for longer trips and classified both options as highly affordable. Regardless of the class, Sarah was keen to travel more by train. "We need high speed trains everywhere," she wrote in the video caption. Other travelers in China have echoed the sentiment. China features a world-class high-speed rail network, providing an example of how other countries could work. Some governments, including France, have banned short-haul flights to encourage travelers to take available rail alternatives. Air travel contributes to atmospheric pollution. The heat-trapping gases released from burning jet fuel exacerbate extreme weather patterns such as droughts and floods. By opting for sustainable travel options such as rail, we can avoid these consequences. The faster these trains are, the more competitive they become with airlines. Accessing rail hinges on investment in building the infrastructure, however. The United Kingdom is working to expand its high-speed rail network. Small sections exist in America, while a handful more are in progress. Compared to China, some people have wondered, "When is the U.S. gonna catch up?" Sarah's experience shows that trains aren't only good for the environment; they can be comfortable and affordable too. TikTok commenters were clear about their travel preferences. "BUSINESS class!…next question," said one user. Would you be more likely to use a rideshare service that offers EV rides? Absolutely Only if it wasn't more expensive Only if the wait times weren't longer Not interested Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
South China Morning Post
22-07-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China unveils next-gen high-speed rail tech as US puts brakes on bullet train funding
China has pulled the wraps off its next-generation high-speed rail technology as the United States revokes federal funding for California's high-speed rail project. Advertisement China's latest bullet train, the CR450 , is undergoing final performance tests to prepare it for commercial operation trials at 400km/h (250mph), the official Science and Technology Daily reported on Monday. The team surpassed the previous upper speed of 350km/h, at which high aerodynamic resistance and energy consumption levels had for decades been a technological barrier. 01:13 China unveils maglev marvel, redefining the future of high-speed rail transport China unveils maglev marvel, redefining the future of high-speed rail transport An increase in speed of 50km/h would lead to a 30 per cent rise in resistance, and greater energy consumption, a researcher at the China Academy of Railway Sciences, Shao Jun, told the newspaper. High-speed trains face 95 per cent of their resistance from air. To boost speed and save energy, the scientists adjusted the head shape of the train to reduce drag, drawing inspiration from nature to create a design based on fast-flying birds and cutting resistance by about 2.6 per cent. They then looked at the train's undercarriage, a previously overlooked area that had potential to reduce drag. Advertisement A team member had proposed an idea for a cover structure to shield the exposed areas of the bogie, creating a more complete aerodynamic shape to lower resistance, Shao said. After repeated optimisation of the cladding structure, resistance was reduced by 22 per cent. This means that even with a 50km/h increase in speed, the energy consumption of the new train remains comparable to that of the CR400 Fuxing trains operating at 350km/h.
Fast Company
17-07-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Billions in funding for California's bullet train project have been canceled by the Trump administration
The Trump administration revoked federal funding for California's high-speed rail project on Wednesday, intensifying uncertainty about how the state will make good on its long-delayed promise of building a bullet train to shuttle riders between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The U.S. Transportation Department announced it was pulling back $4 billion in funding for the project, weeks after signaling it would do so. Overall, a little less than a quarter of the project's funding has come from the federal government. The rest has come from the state, mainly through a voter-approved bond and money from its cap-and-trade program. President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy both have slammed the project as a 'train to nowhere.' 'The Railroad we were promised still does not exist, and never will,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'This project was Severely Overpriced, Overregulated, and NEVER DELIVERED.' The loss marks the latest blow to California by the Trump administration, which has blocked a first-in-the-nation rule to phase out the sale of new gas-powered cars, launched investigations into university admission policies and threatened to pull funding over transgender girls being allowed to compete in girls sports. It also comes as rail project leaders are seeking private investment to help pay for its estimated price tag of more than $100 billion. Voters first approved the project in 2008 and it was supposed to be operating this decade. But cost estimates have consistently grown and its timeline pushed back. State officials are now focused on building a 119-mile (192-kilometer) stretch connecting the Central Valley cities of Bakersfield and Merced that is set to be operating by 2033. The California High Speed Rail Authority is slated to release a report this summer to state lawmakers with an updated funding plan and timeline for the project. Authority officials wrote in a letter earlier this month that the Trump administration made up its mind about revoking funding before thoroughly reviewing the project. They noted that more than 50 structures have already been built, including underpasses, viaducts and bridges to separate the rail line from roadways for safety. 'Canceling these grants without cause isn't just wrong — it's illegal,' authority CEO Ian Choudri said in a statement Wednesday. 'These are legally binding agreements, and the Authority has met every obligation, as confirmed by repeated federal reviews, as recently as February 2025.' The authority has asked potential private investors to express their interest by the end of the month. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will keep 'all options on the table' to fight the revocation of federal funds. 'Trump wants to hand China the future and abandon the Central Valley. We won't let him,' he said in a statement. The state has 'no viable plan' to complete even the Central Valley segment, said Drew Feeley, acting administrator of the transportation department's Federal Railroad Administration, in a report released last month. He called the project a 'story of broken promises' and a waste of taxpayer dollars. California Democrats also have criticized project spending. Democratic Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan said at a budget hearing earlier this year that her constituents 'overwhelmingly believe' high-speed rail spending 'has been irresponsible.' Newsom plans to extend the state's cap-and-trade program, a key funding source for the project which is set to expire at the end of 2030, through 2045. The program sets a declining limit on the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions large emitters can release. Those polluters can buy allowances from the state needed to pollute, and about 45% of that money goes into what's known as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, according to the Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee, a group of experts that reviews the program. The fund helps pay for climate and transportation projects, including high-speed rail. The bullet train project receives 25% of the money from the fund, which ends up being a little less or a little more than $1 billion annually, depending on the year. Newsom in May proposed guaranteeing $1 billion a year for the project from the fund, but lawmakers have not agreed to that.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration pulls $4B in federal funding for California's bullet train project
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Trump administration revoked federal funding for California's high-speed rail project on Wednesday, intensifying uncertainty about how the state will make good on its long-delayed promise of building a bullet train to shuttle riders between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The U.S. Transportation Department announced it was pulling back $4 billion in funding for the project, weeks after signaling it would do so. Overall, a little less than a quarter of the project's funding has come from the federal government. The rest has come from the state, mainly through a voter-approved bond and money from its cap-and-trade program. President Donald Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy both have slammed the project as a 'train to nowhere." 'The Railroad we were promised still does not exist, and never will," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "This project was Severely Overpriced, Overregulated, and NEVER DELIVERED.' The loss marks the latest blow to California by the Trump administration, which has blocked a first-in-the-nation rule to phase out the sale of new gas-powered cars, launched investigations into university admission policies and threatened to pull funding over transgender girls being allowed to compete in girls sports. It also comes as rail project leaders are seeking private investment to help pay for its estimated price tag of more than $100 billion. Voters first approved the project in 2008 and it was supposed to be operating this decade. But cost estimates have consistently grown and its timeline pushed back. State officials are now focused on building a 119-mile (192-kilometer) stretch connecting the Central Valley cities of Bakersfield and Merced that is set to be operating by 2033. The California High Speed Rail Authority is slated to release a report this summer to state lawmakers with an updated funding plan and timeline for the project. Authority officials wrote in a letter earlier this month that the Trump administration made up its mind about revoking funding before thoroughly reviewing the project. They noted that more than 50 structures have already been built, including underpasses, viaducts and bridges to separate the rail line from roadways for safety. 'Canceling these grants without cause isn't just wrong — it's illegal,' authority CEO Ian Choudri said in a statement Wednesday. 'These are legally binding agreements, and the Authority has met every obligation, as confirmed by repeated federal reviews, as recently as February 2025." The authority has asked potential private investors to express their interest by the end of the month. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will keep 'all options on the table' to fight the revocation of federal funds. 'Trump wants to hand China the future and abandon the Central Valley. We won't let him," he said in a statement. The state has 'no viable plan' to complete even the Central Valley segment, said Drew Feeley, acting administrator of the transportation department's Federal Railroad Administration, in a report released last month. He called the project a 'story of broken promises' and a waste of taxpayer dollars. California Democrats also have criticized project spending. Democratic Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan said at a budget hearing earlier this year that her constituents 'overwhelmingly believe' high-speed rail spending 'has been irresponsible.' Newsom plans to extend the state's cap-and-trade program, a key funding source for the project which is set to expire at the end of 2030, through 2045. The program sets a declining limit on the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions large emitters can release. Those polluters can buy allowances from the state needed to pollute, and about 45% of that money goes into what's known as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, according to the Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee, a group of experts that reviews the program. The fund helps pay for climate and transportation projects, including high-speed rail. The bullet train project receives 25% of the money from the fund, which ends up being a little less or a little more than $1 billion annually, depending on the year. Newsom in May proposed guaranteeing $1 billion a year for the project from the fund, but lawmakers have not agreed to that. ___ Austin is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on X: @sophieadanna Solve the daily Crossword
