Speedy, Green Travel Favored in Spain

Spain's Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) high-speed rail service is providing a greener, and more enjoyable way to travel short distances. For example, approximately six million people travel the 325 miles between Barcelona and Madrid each year. In previous years, 90 percent of those people have been taking it to the skies to do so. The number of jet-setters is lower these days, with frequent short-distance travelers choosing the speedy train.

According to analysts, rail travel emits one-fourth of the carbon dioxide emissions created by flying or driving. With such large numbers of people regularly taking the train instead of flying, it should really help toward reaching the country's goal of reducing its carbon emissions by 20 percent in the next decade.

Although the rail service will generously aid in environmental efforts, passengers on the EVA do not choose the service because it's greener, they choose it because they like it better. The trains are comfortable, offer numerous amenities and don't require passengers to check in early. The last point is particularly important to the business traveler who is frequently back and forth between cities.

Soon all of Europe's short distance routes are predicted to be dominated by high-speed trains versus airplanes. The shift is considered a huge advancement toward the EU's fight against harmful emissions. In this matter, the US is still lagging behind. Spain, alone, is expecting to budget $80 billion for rail travel, while $8 billion has been set aside for the entire United States. The good news is that steps are in place for greener, easier, and more enjoyable travel for everyone.

Photo by Mikel Ortega via Wikipedia Commons.