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Public Transportation and Smart Growth

liberal N proud

(61,124 posts)

2. Why is it so difficult for this to happen in the US?

Reply to marmar (Original post)

Fri Mar 1, 2013, 08:19 AM

Mar 2013

What is so different between the US and Europe that we cannot adopt rail travel and moreover, high speed rail?

I travel between Cleveland and Kansas City frequently, the options are fly at the cost of more than $350 per person or drive at the cost of more than $200 per car. Depending on the time I have to make the trip determines how I will travel.

If I could ride the train and not have to fight the traffic through south side of Chicago area, it would be worth the price if the time was comparable with flight but not as long travel time as by car.

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Highlight:

In France, a Truly Low-Cost High-Speed Rail Option [View all] marmar Mar 2013 OP

Du rec. Nt xchrom Mar 2013 #1

Why is it so difficult for this to happen in the US? liberal N proud Mar 2013 #2

Good discussion of pros/cons/costs/benefits in this link. Divernan Mar 2013 #3

We do have our priorities screwed up in this country. liberal N proud Mar 2013 #4

America - the land of greed, guns, corruption, and Maineman Mar 2013 #6

Remember GE's "Progress is our most important product" ad? Divernan Mar 2013 #7

totally agree, I have the same problem traveling between DC and rural CT wordpix Mar 2013 #15

Tracks are owned by Private Railroads in the US, by their National Government in Europe happyslug Mar 2013 #16

I have a friend who lives in Paris... CherokeeDem Mar 2013 #5

Many Europeans only rent a car when they're going on holiday. Divernan Mar 2013 #8

I wish that were the case here.... CherokeeDem Mar 2013 #9

That's how a lot of Japanese people live, too, Lydia Leftcoast Mar 2013 #10

There's little correllation between rates of car ownership and car use nxylas Mar 2013 #13

i've been living in the bay area, california without a car for years noiretextatique Mar 2013 #11

I am in DC a lot and you don't need a car if you live in the city wordpix Mar 2013 #14

Acela travel in NE corridor typically costs MUCH more than $50 reg. train wordpix Mar 2013 #12