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From another post; no, RR's didn't require federal money to build infrastructure. They did it themselves and often simply funded such projects by floating bonds. The PRR didn't receive any federal funding (IIRC) to build the vast network (including tunnels and bridges) that became the mainline/NEC.
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The Expansion of RR in the US especially out west did get massive federal subsidies. They got $16k-48K per mile (436K-1.3M / Mile in current USD) Plus Land Grands of millions of square miles of land, that they could develop.
I'm not a Civil Engineer, but even I know that building/rebuilding the Portal Bridge involves a lot more than flattening dirt and laying down sod. In case you aren't aware of the... cost-saving... business practices to which I referred, this should prove to be informative:
absolutely unnecessary. if they cant make a profit, then they shouldnt exist.
OK, so how should people travel? Roads do not make a profit either. And you would need to build a lot of new roads to accommodate all the drivers who use public transportation.
The tools on NJ Turnpike, the most expensive road in the US, do not quite cover the Operating Expenses. They come close, it is 93%. See page 18 of the budget document: http://www.njta.com/media/3476/2018_budget_document.pdf
I guess all NJ roads should introduce tolls like NJ Turnpike...
OK, so how should people travel? Roads do not make a profit either. And you would need to build a lot of new roads to accommodate all the drivers who use public transportation.
The tools on NJ Turnpike, the most expensive road in the US, do not quite cover the Operating Expenses. They come close, it is 93%. See page 18 of the budget document: http://www.njta.com/media/3476/2018_budget_document.pdf
I guess all NJ roads should introduce tolls like NJ Turnpike...
It is simple, put an EZ Pass toll on every driveway, municipal road, county road, state road and federal road. Then, when driving 12 miles to work takes 2.5 hours and cost $18 in tolls, commuters will be wondering what happened to all the "unprofitable" trains and buses.
OK, so how should people travel? Roads do not make a profit either. And you would need to build a lot of new roads to accommodate all the drivers who use public transportation.
The tools on NJ Turnpike, the most expensive road in the US, do not quite cover the Operating Expenses. They come close, it is 93%. See page 18 of the budget document: http://www.njta.com/media/3476/2018_budget_document.pdf
I guess all NJ roads should introduce tolls like NJ Turnpike...
its not really my place to decide how other people will travel. i just know that the users of a good or service should be paying at least for its full cost.
its not really my place to decide how other people will travel. i just know that the users of a good or service should be paying at least for its full cost.
What we're trying to tell you is for mass/public transit that does not nor ever will apply. It just isn't possible. Every single mode of transportation in this country; motor vehicles, airplanes, rail, etc.. *ALL* to some extent receive direct and or indirect federal/local funding.
OTOH it is the locally run commuter rail services where you see rates below 50%. NJT is around 45%, and people are moaning now. Take away federal funding and NJT fares would rise steeply, so much so that many would likely abandon trains and drive; something New Jersey does *NOT* want.
What we're trying to tell you is for mass/public transit that does not nor ever will apply. It just isn't possible. Every single mode of transportation in this country; motor vehicles, airplanes, rail, etc.. *ALL* to some extent receive direct and or indirect federal/local funding.
OTOH it is the locally run commuter rail services where you see rates below 50%. NJT is around 45%, and people are moaning now. Take away federal funding and NJT fares would rise steeply, so much so that many would likely abandon trains and drive; something New Jersey does *NOT* want.
Captain doesn't care. He doesn't want to pay for it and thinks only the users should. That's him. Let it go, because no matter how badly he wants it to be that way, we know it ain't never gonna happen.
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