Financial lessons from Asian experience in constructing and operating high speed train networks

A serious interest in high speed train has been increasing all over the world. However, recent experiences in Asian countries show that high speed rail projects are not financially viable even in areas seemingly favorable to rail operations. Considering the existing intensive highway and airline network, putting public subsidies to high speed rail projects are barely justifiable from a purely economic point of view. What is required of any government which contemplates high speed rail construction as a policy option is to show taxpayers the cost/revenues difference between constructing a high speed rail line and expanding a capacity of other means, before proceeding.