My idea on transportation (would like comments)

With gas prices rising people have started to freak out. Our prices aren't close to the prices in Europe, but they will get there someday soon. Countries in Europe an Asia have greeat public transportation systems, which makes the need for an autmobile vewy low. I know that some states in the U.S. have decent public transportation systems, but many do not. In New Orleans we have a horrible public transportation system, which has become only slightly better because of the new electric tram system. The government is going to stop funding Amtrak which is a shame, but could be good news. I say this because this means we can start from scratch and build a high-tech national transportation system. Instead of flying in cramped seats you could take a train to where you are going. I used to do this all the time in Japan, and while the trip was longer it was still enjoyable. And the prices are much cheaper. Who knows we could find a way to build a track from the main land to Hawaii, like Europe has between England and the other countries. This will also pump money into the economy, and build jobs for people. I know we have other problems but this could be a huge answer to the energy problem. We have the number one economy in the world, for now, we should do what we can to stay that way. Notice Japan invested in technology, along with China, and they aren't doing so bad economically. The funding for this program would come from a tax increase on higher income workers and a new luxery tax. What are your comments on this?

If we had started on this back when Jimmy Carter told us to, we would be in good shape now.

But that wouldn't allow the power elite to steal enough profiteering lucre from the energy gluttony of the 80's and 90's.

Maglevs would help quite a bit, but we'll never see them

can be both humane and competitive, which means public funding and management of vital systems like mass transit, you can pretty much forget having this stupid country do anything sensible along those lines. We'll continue pushing people into cars even in congested urban areas that would be served much better with a sane public transit system. You can make more money selling them cars, gasoline, oil, tires, and constant repairs. Mass transit isn't much of a moneymaker, because if you set the fares high enough to turn a profit, you shove people back into their cars. That's why public funding is essential.

Land transit to Hawaii is not practical. What made the Chunnel practical was the short distance, about 26 miles, I think. Sea travel will always be the most economical in terms of fuel; air travel in terms of time.

Trashing Amtrack won't do anything in terms of offering opportunity. It will just reduce travel choices. The continued trashing of infrastructure that benefits human beings in the name of privatization and profit will continue for the forseeable future, and not be replaced by anything until there is a shift in focus among the majority of citizens that the rich and powerful will have to heed if they wish to stay rich and powerful. I just don't see than happening in the near future.

Length of the "Chunnel" between England and France = 31 miles

Distance between Los Angeles and Hawaii = 3113 miles

Don't wait for the train.

Stop it!!

Stop right now, I tell you!!

Actually, I think that is a fabulous idea and one that could get some traction if prices get over $3 which they will. I love Europe's public transportation system. They have the advantage of having started it in the 1800s and trains go to city centers. That could be a problem in spread out metropolis like L.A.

I'm hyped about the streetcars back on Canal Street too. I couldn't believe they removed them in the 1960's and replaced them with belching diesel buses to 'modernize'. Glad they are back.

Took one from Mandinas to the Quarter two weekends ago.

:-)

they're expensive as hell, they pollute, they are involved in tens of thousands of highway deaths every year, they pollute our air and who doesn't regularly suffer with the stress of traffic ???

yes, a real focus on mass transit is way past due ... but it's not going to happen until we realize that pushing cars is one of the corporate state's favorite missions ...

we need to change how our country works ... under capitalism, auto makers are allowed to buy as much advertising as they can afford ... they push cars on the society ... their advertising is very effective ... in my world, for every minute a TV commercial is aired pushing cars, citizens should be given equal time (for free) to offer opposing views ... we cannot claim to have "free speech" and then charge so much for it that only revenue-generating corporations can afford to speak ... ultimately, capitalism and democracy cannot co-exist ... we cannot allow powerful corporations with massive buying power to dominate the setting of our public policies ... if we do, don't look for mass transit anytime soon ...

Al Gore promised to work on a high speed rail system for the country....but once in office, nothing happened!

I'm with you 100% on this.

Rail is much more efficient, energy wise. The only reason our rails are so crippled is because the highways and trucks are massively subsidized. Get rid of long haul trucking and you will do two things. You will save massive amounts of energy, and you will create corridors for safe, efficient, high-speed rail travel.

For instance, I have to communte to Las Vegas every now and again. It takes me 7.5 hours to drive there from the Bay area. By plane, it is 5 hours, counting getting to the airport, dealing with security, waiting for flight, actually flying, debarking, getting picked up or renting a car, etc.

If I could take an 100 mph train, I could do this in 5 hours or so on the ground and actually be able to use that time for something besides eating peanuts and twiddling my thumbs. Up that to 200 mph and I am there in 2.5 hours or so. Heck, the right of way even exists. Just tear up I-5 and make it into a rail right of way!

Where is it an issue? Boston, NY, Phila, Wash DC, San Fran, Portland OR,

Where are they against it? Lawrence KS, York PA, Fayetteville NC etc.

See a pattern?