The introduction of a high speed train connection invariably accompanies the elimination of a slightly slower, but much more affordable, alternative route, forcing passengers to use the new and more expensive product, or abandon the train altogether. As a result, business people switch from full-service planes to high speed trains, while the majority of Europeans are pushed into cars, coaches and low-cost airplanes.

Con i treni ad alta velocità se ne vanno molte alternative e tratte più economiche (e solo in minima parte meno efficienti), e al contrario di quanto previsto con la loro introduzione sempre più persone scelgono i voli low-cost.