Congress to kill high-speed rail plans! (highway, freeways, transportation, railroad)

[nep321]

Congress About To Kill High-Speed Train Program | Fox News

Congress is about to reject Obama's high speed rail plan, because it is too costly. They only want to focus on the Northeast corridoor, however. As a result, the state of California said they would alternatively spend $170B on 2,300 miles of freeway in the state!

I agree with the Republicans 100% on this. Obama has become a spend-crazy clown from day one, and we're sick of it. Maybe we can afford it in the future, but not NOW!

Personally, I much prefer driving a car on roads and highways than sitting in a train next to some fat smelly stranger with headphones on.

Thoughts?

[wburg]

Building more freeways in California will, in the long run, be more expensive than high-speed rail. And I much prefer taking trains to driving in California--the fat, smelly stranger next to me with headphones on is also next to me on the freeway, driving a big ol' SUV while eating pizza and watching a DVD. Also note that part of the purpose of HSR is not to replace cars but short-hop airline flights--and the seats on airplanes are much smaller and less comfortable than those on trains, putting you that much closer to Smelly McFattyHeadphones.

It's a national embarassment that the nation that used to be the pride of the world for its railroads doesn't have one decent example of high-speed rail.

[animatedmartian]

In addition to a better transportation network, this creates both short term and long term jobs. Workers to build the rails and whatever else they need to, and more people to maintain and operate the trains.

The cons of driving on the highway are that you spend more money than you would than by using a train. Think of all the travelers on the road, how much gas they'll use, how much gas they have to pay for, how much money they have to spend to maintain their car, how much they have to spend in a car accident, not to mention it certainly adds to pollution.

In the long-term this would have had a good outcome for the whole country. It's too bad we aren't more prepared for the future...

[jetgraphics]

[beating dead horse flag on]
Barring some technological breakthrough...
Steel wheel on steel rail is the most efficient form of land transportation.
Electric traction is the most efficient propulsion for steel wheel on steel rail.
Railroads can move the most passengers and cargo for the least cost.
Automobiles are the most convenient form of land transportation.
However, automobiles are most wasteful of resources, transporting a 1.5 ton all weather upholstered recliner from point to point.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

I wish our country posessed the collective intellect to realize this is something worth investing in.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by HandsUpThumbsDown

I wish our country posessed the collective intellect to realize this is something worth investing in.

I agree that we should invest in HSR. But not at this time. Certainly not when we should CUT spending NOW.

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Originally Posted by nep321

I agree that we should invest in HSR. But not at this time. Certainly not when we should CUT spending NOW.

I would argue that this mentality is the source of the problem. But then this would become something better suited for the politics and other controversies forum, so I digress.

[animatedmartian]

Originally Posted by nep321

I agree that we should invest in HSR. But not at this time. Certainly not when we should CUT spending NOW.

Cutting spending is only half the solution. We (or the government for that matter) still needs to generate more revenue. Investing sets the foundation for future profits if everything is done right. It'll be decades before debt is completely eliminated just by cutting spending and smart investments will reduce that debt quicker.

It may sound backwards, but corporations do it all the time.

[memph]

Originally Posted by nep321

I agree that we should invest in HSR. But not at this time. Certainly not when we should CUT spending NOW.

Right, so build the cheaper solution (HSR) instead of the more expensive one (2,300 miles of freeway).

[Nexis4Jersey]

Originally Posted by nep321

Congress About To Kill High-Speed Train Program | Fox News

Congress is about to reject Obama's high speed rail plan, because it is too costly. They only want to focus on the Northeast corridoor, however. As a result, the state of California said they would alternatively spend $170B on 2,300 miles of freeway in the state!

I agree with the Republicans 100% on this. Obama has become a spend-crazy clown from day one, and we're sick of it. Maybe we can afford it in the future, but not NOW!

Personally, I much prefer driving a car on roads and highways than sitting in a train next to some fat smelly stranger with headphones on.

Thoughts?

What a sheltered view of public transit , I guess you don't get out much.... The Highways of CT have proven one thing , that widening them does nothing....but adding transit reduces the car need and seems to be very popular in CT.