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Why does Iceland still have no public railways? Why did those previous proposals fail?
Iceland is a country with magnificent natural scenery and unique culture. However, in the modern transportation system, Iceland lacks a public railway system. By 2024, except for a few short-term narrow-gauge railways, Iceland has not been able to establish a lasting railway network. This article explores why Iceland does not yet have a public rail system, and the reasons behind proposals that have been made many times but never come to fruition.
Traffic environment in Iceland
Iceland's geography and small population make the need for a public transportation system relatively low. Most people rely on cars, buses or airport flights to travel between cities. These alternative modes of transportation can better meet the needs of Icelanders for fast and flexible travel. Coupled with Iceland's steep terrain and harsh climate conditions, the feasibility of building railways is greatly reduced.
"The only historical railway in Iceland is the Reykjavik Port Railway, which ended in 1928. The strict environment and lack of resources make the future of public railways a difficult challenge."
Early rail proposals
As early as the early 20th century, Iceland began to consider the possibility of building a railway. In 1906, the first official proposal was made for an extension south from Reykjavik to Selfoss. This route passes through Iceland's most famous lake, Thingvadra Lake, and is also considered for subsequent expansion. However, as time went on, more surveys showed that road construction gradually surpassed railways in importance in transportation needs, and eventually in 1931, various railway plans were abandoned.
Short running history
In Iceland's railway history, the operation of the Reykjavik Port Railway is the best known. This 900 mm wide narrow-gauge railway began operation in 1913 and was mainly used for port construction and occasional cargo transportation. The railway's network length eventually reached about 12 kilometers and it ended in 1928. This history not only shows Iceland's past exploration of railways, but also reveals the disproportionality between input and output.
"Although the Reykjavik Port Railway was short-lived, its operation demonstrated the importance of railways in early Icelandic society."
Recent proposals and plans
With tourism booming in recent years, proposals for a rail link from Reykjavik to Keflavik International Airport are attracting renewed attention. Although it was decided as early as 2003 to abandon the construction of an airport railway and instead lay a two-lane road, in the proposals in the 2010s, the industry once again proposed a feasibility study of high-speed railways, which was full of hope. The planned route will connect the airport and pass through major population centers and is expected to operate at speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour.
Finance and political factors
Even so, the project still faces many challenges. First, finding sustainable funding sources remains a difficult process for policymakers. In the context of insufficient funds and limited budgets, even with good planning, the specific implementation of railway construction is still a thorny issue. In addition, local political will and the conclusion of a cooperation agreement are also important factors affecting the success or failure of the project.
Conclusion
In summary, the reason why Iceland has not been able to have a lasting public railway system is mainly due to the geographical environment, sparse population and competition from other transportation modes. Although there have been numerous proposals throughout history, various funding, demand and environmental factors have prevented these plans from being implemented. With the unpredictable environmental changes and urban development in the future, will Iceland be able to establish a sustainable public railway system in the future? Is it worth pondering?
