Cost of gas in your area?

Schroeder · 02-25-11, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

In most of the US, this is no mass transit system to speak of. If you want to get to work, you must drive yourself there. The average Joe here (in california at least) drives anywhere between 20 to 50 miles to work, or 40 to 100 miles per day round trip, depending on where they live.

That's getting a standard here too.

tater · 02-25-11, 06:23 PM

A few things about public transportation. Busses are cost effective.

All other methods? Subsidized more per seat-mile than cars (via road/highway subsidy).

No one wants to ride a bus, more might find trains cool, but they all lose money (not just in the US—it became clear in our high speed rail discussion that HSR in Germany was subsidized by the government—the parent company profits because commercial rail (hauling freight) IS very profitable.

The light rail in LA is so cost ineffective that all the lower income riders could be given a new Prius every 5 years, and have all costs associated with operating it paid for, and LA would still save money. Japan's rail system is also a known problem in terms of cost.

Nice idea, but it needs to at least break even with fares including a subsidy no greater than that given to roads per seat-mile traveled.

The US is also so spread out that public transport is very difficult. Take the train from Santa Fe to work in ABQ, and you then need to get from one of the 2 train stations to everywhere else—and the bulk of town is miles away at right angles from the rail line (and way too steep for trains).

Buddahaid · 02-25-11, 08:35 PM

$3.75 and climbing daily.

02-25-11, 06:23 PM	#2
tater Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 9,023 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 2	A few things about public transportation. Busses are cost effective. All other methods? Subsidized more per seat-mile than cars (via road/highway subsidy). No one wants to ride a bus, more might find trains cool, but they all lose money (not just in the US—it became clear in our high speed rail discussion that HSR in Germany was subsidized by the government—the parent company profits because commercial rail (hauling freight) IS very profitable. The light rail in LA is so cost ineffective that all the lower income riders could be given a new Prius every 5 years, and have all costs associated with operating it paid for, and LA would still save money. Japan's rail system is also a known problem in terms of cost. Nice idea, but it needs to at least break even with fares including a subsidy no greater than that given to roads per seat-mile traveled. The US is also so spread out that public transport is very difficult. Take the train from Santa Fe to work in ABQ, and you then need to get from one of the 2 train stations to everywhere else—and the bulk of town is miles away at right angles from the rail line (and way too steep for trains). __________________ "Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one." — Thomas Paine

02-25-11, 08:35 PM	#3
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,331 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	$3.75 and climbing daily. __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie