This chart is a good example of what happens when transport infrastructure is judged through a purely economic lens versus what happens when affordable travel is seen as a necessary feature of a civilised society. (Not to mention the jobs created and the carbon saved.)

Perhaps you could enlighten us with a map of profitable highways?

I know this might blow your mind but it is possible to build things in advance of demand and without a profit incentive

large majority of their limes are unprofitable

Waiting to hear this about the NYC MTA once Mamdani zeros out fares.

Most of the lines are used fairly well. Overall ridership of the network was 3.2billion trips last year. It is still growing.

As for the economics, it is infrastructure, which is going to last for a century or more. It obviously requires upgrades, but having a fast reliable, green form of transport between a countries large cities has a lot of advantages. Not the least are indirect economic advantages. Like for example making business trips easier, but also tourism. That is why Japan, South Korea and Western European countries built hsr as well.

That also means taking on debt is somewhat sensible, as long as economic growth from the better connections is bigger then the cost of the debt. That is honestly just running the country like a business.

Exactly. And as we all know, population stays the same over time. So it's truly a waste.