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This is BS! I remember when I lived in Phoenix back in the early 90's- it used to take about 2 hours to go from East Suburbs like Mesa, Tempe to the other side of the city by bus. Ridiculous! The light rail in Phoenix is definitely a success story!
Downtown Phoenix back in the early 90's was a dump-living downtown Phoenix was the most ridiculous idea back in those times, not so much anymore!
I lived in Minneapolis for 6 years and Minneapolis Light Rail is a great success as well- I remember last time I went to a Twins game by light rail, it was absolutely packed!
I could go on and on- but there are many light rail success stories all over the USA!
If you define "success" as just running and taking some people from point a to point b, then I agree. Lot's of light rail runs just fine.
But if success is defined by cost effectiveness and having a positive impact on gridlock, then light rail is a total failure.
I don't find most of what has been said here entertaining. As a matter of fact, it is very sad that most people think they are "free"- yet fail to realize that they are enslaved by the oil companies and the lack of alternative means of transportation. Actually, it is very sad!
And you think that the government isn't the largest plantation owner in America?
So, what you're saying is that the rail line was built to actually serve a purpose? A unique perspective to our lefty friends!
I'd have to do some research to come up with the origins of the ARR, but the fact is that it hasn't got the traffic base to sustain profitability in an open market. Nevertheless, the Federal government considers it essential to both the state and the nation, so Uncle Sam, albeit indirectly, picks up some of the tab.
The point being, all forms of transportation involve participation with the public sector to some degree, but the freight railroads and the vast majority of truckers make the cleanest possible break with it. And some exceptions are permitted to exist for specific reasons; the ARR is one of them.
Having a car and being able to afford a car are two different things. Because of absence of public transportation, people with low income are forced to buy car because otherwise they cannot go to work/cannot go to college/cant go for shopping. So even if a person cant afford a car, he/she is forced to buy it thus making him more poor/more debt.
How many highways pay for themselves by gasoline tax? how many airports are able to run only on passenger service fees?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadking2003
If you define "success" as just running and taking some people from point a to point b, then I agree. Lot's of light rail runs just fine.
But if success is defined by cost effectiveness and having a positive impact on gridlock, then light rail is a total failure.
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