Climate Talk

Night trains vs short flights: why is the train still so expensive?

I compared Delhi to Mumbai options for a work trip. Rajdhani AC 2-tier vs a budget flight. Flight was cheaper if booked early, and 2 hours vs 16!

Same story when my cousin looked at Europe: some short flights cheaper than the train for the same route! How is that possible when the train is so much better for emissions?

Is it tax on fuel, airport subsidies, track costs? I really want to understand this. I love trains, I want to choose them, but my company only pays the cheaper one!