Can High-Speed Rail Reduce Our Reliance on Air Travel?

The Obama Administration's $8 billion plan to bring high-speed rail to the U.S. is ambitious, to say the least. And with so much cash riding on its success, it better have some redeeming merits. One possible benefit: a reduced reliance on air travel. China's vast network of high-speed trains has cut into air travel so much that China Southern Airlines Co. (the country's largest carrier) and Air China Ltd. have reduced prices by up to 80% to compete with the rail network.

The trend shows...