Why the US chose not to have a passenger train system like Europe
Why the US chose not to have a passenger train system like Europe  
Podcast: The Indicator from Planet Money
Published On: Mon Dec 01 2025
Description: Why can't the US be like Europe, Japan or India—countries that all have extensive passenger train systems? On today's show, why the US chose not to. We learn why, despite this, US railroads could still be worth bragging about.Related episodes: What happens when railroads get hitchedHow three letters reinvented the railroad businessFor sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy