In this episode of The Missing Middle, hosts Sabrina Maddeaux and Michael Moffatt discuss the recent announcement of a high-speed rail project in Canada with transit expert Reece Martin. They explore the details of the proposed rail line, the political motivations behind it, and the challenges Canada faces in implementing effective transit solutions compared to other countries. The conversation highlights the need for a shift in approach to infrastructure projects, emphasizing the importance of political will, investment, and learning from international best practices.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:16 High-speed rail announcement outlined
02:31Why doesn't the route go further south?
04:20 Canada studies high-speed rail a lot
06:49 Why is Europe so much better at rail?
08:50 Comparing Canada’s ability to build HSR to other countries
11:13 Why is it so much more expensive to build in Canada?
13:34 Reese becomes Canada’s HSR Czar
16:05 A vision for high-speed rail in Canada
18:20 Examining the California rail debacle
21:00 How do you convince drivers that rail is good for everyone?
24:20 Reese’s analysis of the Canada’s political landscape
Links:
Reese Martin on the Missing Middle
Eglinton Crosstown will open no earlier than mid-2025, TTC chair says
California watchdog says high-speed rail on track to blow more deadlines
Why Passenger Trains Suck in Canada - VIA Rail
North America Will Never Be the Netherlands - Interview with Not Just Bikes
Guest:
Reece Martin https://reecemartin.ca/about/
https://www.youtube.com/@RMTransit
Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux
Produced by Meredith Martin
This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Ridiculous History
History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.