Here's some small-scale good news: high-speed rail actually got an INCREASE in funding during the reconciliation process for the stimulus bill. Which isn't to say that we're actually going to invest anything remotely approaching what we're spending on roads and bridges--and why should we? Passenger rail is less invasive, accessible for more people, vastly superior environmentally, less dangerous, super fun...all in all, a total bummer.
Forgive my pesky sarcasm. This is good news.
Jesus Passion made present John 18 1 19 42
5 weeks ago
Having lived in Tokyo for seven years and experienced its amazing train system for that time, I have to say a well-organized rail system really is something to behold. AND as a high-schooler, you don't have to wait until you're sixteen to experience travel freedom.
ReplyDeleteHow many semi truckloads will the new passenger rail move in one day?
ReplyDeleteI actually don't have a problem with passenger rail in this case (its better stimulus than other items in the bill), but its not exactly a replacement for highways.
Mike: Well none, because it's passenger rail. But we need more and better freight rail, too, and trucking companies agree: http://tinyurl.com/9e6q7a
ReplyDeleteNo doubt passenger rails are vastly superior environmentally and more cost effective when they are full or at least meeting the average passengers per rail car the comparisons between rail and highway are based on.
ReplyDeleteProblem is people try expanding the rail to more obscure areas (like Burlington) where the result is empty or almost empty cars.
I'd be in favor of a high speed rail system similar to how the airlines work connecting large cities in major hubs.
Although as bp noted, I'm sure the Burlington kids would love it.
Mike Q, You talking about Burlington,WI or Burlington,VT?
ReplyDeleteThat'd be Burlington, WI. Sorry for the confusion.
ReplyDeleteRight, not to Burlington, WI, as convenient as that'd be for ME. High-speed rail is by definition a hub-based thing, as in the map I put up in this post: http://stevethorngate.blogspot.com/2008/11/high-speed-rail-high-speed-rail.html
ReplyDeleteExactly... I'd be against a hub in Burlington, WI just to prevent an influx of city folk.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd love to sit in the front car (given there is a windshield similar to a car), move my arms in a running type motion and feel like I'm running at an even higher rate of speed than when I'm trying to amuse myself in the car.
There are reasons to have high-speed rail, many of them you have mentioned. Mike Q jokingly mentioned keeping city folk out of the country. Believe it or not, this is still a big reason light rail systems are not possible in some areas. St. Louis has a decent light rail system in the city and in the near suburbs. Unfortunately, when expansion was attempted to the wealthier outlying suburbs, the people in these Democratic enclaves suddenly remembered that they truly did not like the light rail system. Seems there was some concern about the "types of people" that would ride the rails to work in these upper class suburbs. It is sad but true that there are many obstacles to a rail system in the US.
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