In theory trains should be more feasible because of the growing population, not less. But I think the lack of public transport in many locations makes trains impractical for many.
I’d love to take a train to other cities instead of driving, however, I do not love carrying around three (heavy) kids car seats and installing them every time we get in a taxi (I assume I wouldn’t, I’ve never been brave enough to try - installing them in my own car is bad enough, it would be worse when a meter is running). Without good public transport at the destination, the issue is not the mode of transport but what do you do when you get there.
It was significantly more common for people to not have cars 50+ years ago (ok, maybe 60 or 70, it turns out 50 years ago is only the 70s). I wasn’t around 70 years ago but I’m betting public transport was more practical then outside of major cities than it is today.
The main reason intercity rail would struggle today, except as a tourist venture, is just how good the roads have gotten since they stopped. Auckland to Wellington has probably gotten an hour faster since the 2000s, due to the new motorways and expressways.
In theory trains should be more feasible because of the growing population, not less. But I think the lack of public transport in many locations makes trains impractical for many.
I’d love to take a train to other cities instead of driving, however, I do not love carrying around three (heavy) kids car seats and installing them every time we get in a taxi (I assume I wouldn’t, I’ve never been brave enough to try - installing them in my own car is bad enough, it would be worse when a meter is running). Without good public transport at the destination, the issue is not the mode of transport but what do you do when you get there.
It was significantly more common for people to not have cars 50+ years ago (ok, maybe 60 or 70, it turns out 50 years ago is only the 70s). I wasn’t around 70 years ago but I’m betting public transport was more practical then outside of major cities than it is today.
The main reason intercity rail would struggle today, except as a tourist venture, is just how good the roads have gotten since they stopped. Auckland to Wellington has probably gotten an hour faster since the 2000s, due to the new motorways and expressways.
Meaning that road based PT will be a lot faster.