COLUMN: Flying less is a hot topic these days, but unfortunately there are no alternatives yet. Everything has to be done less, but what is the alternative? Policymakers in The Netherlands and the EUAre you actually paying attention? Because if you look to the east, you will see something very beautiful happening. You can China find what you want, they have created a bizarre one in just 15 years train network built up that the West can be jealous of. The explainer video below is also difficult for Westerners to understand.
80% fewer domestic flights in China
Since the opening of the first high-speed train in 2008, China has grown more than 15% annually in the number of train passengers for 30 years in a row. A direct attack on domestic aviation. With more than 70.000 kilometers of high-speed lines that can travel more than 300 kilometers per hour, China is instantly sidelining domestic aviation.
The number of domestic flights has already decreased by almost 2023% in 80, while this was the goal for 2025. And they haven't even finished construction yet. You can also find details and figures from a recent study that substantiates this here en here find. The video below is also worth watching.
Mismanagement in Europe
In the meantime, in the Netherlands and the EU we mainly talk about it nitrogen, less flying en Schiphol shrinkage, without us having a good alternative for it. In fact, we are still mainly working on it here increasing the NS fares to get people off the train and back into the car or plane. As of January 1, 2024, you will pay 70+ euros for a return ticket from Nijmegen to Amsterdam, which now costs no less than 45 euros. A Train travel within the Netherlands is then more expensive than flying to Southern Europe.
I'm worried about this. If travel blogger I fly a lot and most of the time it is indoors Europe. Not because I really want it, on the contrary, but simply because there are no decent alternatives.
Trains in Europe are unaffordable and inefficient
Trains in Europe are too slow and priceless. You pay 800 euros for a return ticket to Barcelona, which takes almost two days for a single journey. That's not going to motivate anyone to get on that train. At least not me.
And when I read news reports about the increase in NS fares and the ongoing arguments about it the shrinking of Schiphol, without us saying a single thing about investing in alternatives, my courage sinks.
Where did things go wrong in Europe? Why are we not able to actually do what we have been saying for 20 years?
Also read: Train travel in the Netherlands is more expensive than flying to Southern Europe
Also read: Column: Shootings, Trump crazies and political unrest | Roadtrip USA
