As we begin 2026, the previous year has been notable for no countries outside China opening new high speed lines with the exception of Austria, where the 250 km/h Koralmbahn opened in December.
Australian light rail and trams - overview of network statistics for Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Parramatta, Adelaide, Canberra and Gold Coast.
The Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka opened in October 1964, since when it has carried a cumulative total of over 7 billion passengers. With passenger numbers recovered to pre-pandemic levels and the line operating at its limits, Japan is pressing ahead with development of the Chuo high speed maglev route.
Extending back over a century, the Spanish capital’s metro network saw no extension for over a decade until Line 3 was extended in April this year. Construction is progressing on two other lines.
Since launching its first high speed route in April 1992, Spain’s standard gauge network has grown to over 3000 route-km, along with over 900 km of broad gauge, mixed gauge or upgraded route.
Taipei, Taoyuan and New Taipei City metros - route-km open by 2025, and lines under construction or approved due to open by 2035.