I just watched a talk about a local commuter railroad here in Sweden (the only narrow gauge railroad in the country with commercial traffic), and the improvements that has been done on it in the last decade.

And it is staggering, new trains, new track, higher speed, higher capacity, safer track with fewer crossings and more bridges/tunnels, new plattforms with better lighting to enhance safety for lone travellers, better singage, and more.

Yes it costs a lot, but the added tax revenue from people being able to reach better paying jobs and bring the money home will more than compensate for that.

It is just so sad that this isn't realized in the US.