Reece Martin has a Vision for Canada’s High Speed Rail Future

In this episode of The Missing Middle, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Michael Moffatt discuss the recent announcement of a high-speed rail project in Canada with transit expert Reece Martin. They explore the details of the proposed rail line, the political motivations behind it, and the challenges Canada faces in implementing effective transit solutions compared to other countries. The conversation highlights the need for a shift in approach to infrastructure projects, emphasizing the importance of political will, investment, and learning from international best practices.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:16 High-speed rail announcement outlined02:31Why doesn't the route go further south?04:20 Canada studies high-speed rail a lot06:49 Why is Europe so much better at rail?08:50 Comparing Canada’s ability to build HSR to other countries11:13 Why is it so much more expensive to build in Canada?13:34 Reese becomes Canada’s HSR Czar16:05 A vision for high-speed rail in Canada18:20 Examining the California rail debacle21:00 How do you convince drivers that rail is good for everyone?24:20 Reese’s analysis of the Canada’s political landscapeLinks:Reese Martin on the Missing MiddleHigh-speed rail line with 300 km/h trains will run between Toronto and Quebec City, Trudeau announcesHigh Speed Rail CanadaEglinton Crosstown will open no earlier than mid-2025, TTC chair saysCalifornia watchdog says high-speed rail on track to blow more deadlinesWhy Passenger Trains Suck in Canada - VIA RailNorth America Will Never Be the Netherlands - Interview with Not Just BikesGuest:Reece Martin https://reecemartin.ca/about/https://www.youtube.com/@RMTransitHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/