High-speed rail has transformed the railway industry, which was previously in decline due to competition from motorways and aeroplanes. This technological revolution has led to trains travelling faster, more safely, and more comfortably, making train travel a preferred mode for many journeys.
Japan was a pioneer in 1964 with the Shinkansen, also known as the bullet train, which operated on dedicated tracks at speeds up to 210 km/h (130mph). Today, high-speed trains often run at 190mph and may routinely reach 250mph before the end of the decade.
Beyond Japan and Europe, 25 other countries, including Morocco, Turkey, Taiwan, and Uzbekistan, either have or are developing high-speed rail systems. Spain notably has Europe's most extensive high-speed rail network, with about 2,500 miles of line, developed as part of a government strategy to improve regional connections.
China leads global development, having built 70% of the world's high-speed lines in under 20 years. The country now has approximately 31,000 miles of high-speed line, with around 10,000 services carrying an average of 10 million people daily. China aims to increase its network by at least 10,000 miles by 2040, expanding to smaller towns and cities to create a national network.