The Efficiency and Sustainability of High-Speed Rail: My TGV Journey from Paris to Avignon and the Future of Train Travel

TGV train at station

During my summer trip to Europe, I had the opportunity to take the TGV from Paris to Avignon. 

Covering 357 miles in under 3 hours is impressive. While walking to my coach, I did the math: 16 coaches with 120-150 people each means over 2,000 passengers per train. Traveling by train is so highly efficient. Stations are centrally located, allowing you to arrive just 20 minutes before departure, and everyone boards simultaneously. 

Once on the train, you can settle right away and start working or enjoying the ride. You can move at any time and are not stuck sitting. Wifi is free and easy, and you get to enjoy the scenery.

When I talk with my European friends, I am struck by how much sustainability has become a key factor in their travel decisions, whether it's opting for a train or bus over a plane or choosing a destination based on its environmental impact. 

It is even more prevalent in the younger generation. For example, one of my family members who works in Italy will take a few buses and trains, spending 24 hours traveling, rather than taking a flight back to another European country.

Additionally, in France, they have now forbidden any flight that covers direct lines with a similar train option that is less than 2 hours and 30 minutes. The primary motive is sustainability, but as a user, the convenience of using the train is primarily about saving time, as it is significantly faster than flying when considering a door-to-door approach.

It has been 17 years in the making to establish a high-speed train from San Francisco to LA, and it's frustrating to realize it may never happen. 

If this were ever built, it would take 2 hours and 40 minutes to travel from LA to San Francisco and would likely render flying obsolete for many.

I can only dream of a time when sustainability will become a mainstream value in the US when we make travel decisions.