Transportation: a needed development

posted by andrewray on September 3, 2024 - 11:09am

Current Score: 2

Looking at this country's transportation needs over the past few decades, this information has been atrocious. Government-owned methods of transportation have failed continuously, and it is obvious that little money is invested. Amtrak is proof of failure, having much of its funding lowered recently, and a 'point of no return' attitude taken by supporters. Also, highways are extremely overcrowded, with the exception of some intercities that have their own means of public transportation. Constant overcrowding has led to consistent need for repaving, and construction is widespread throughout the nation. The United States is one of the only developed countries that has not implemented high speed trains and other means of more reliable public transportation. Investing in such a thing would further lower dependence on oil and encourage people to take the train to work, or even across the country. Please let me know your thoughts about this.

pass it on

Comments

Public Transport vs Commuting Reality

Lynn Robb on September 12, 2024 - 8:08am

The work week is no longer 8 to 5 Monday through Friday, and everyone doesn't work downtown. We want access to our butcher, baker and candlestick maker 24/7, and preferably on line as well as in person.

This works against public transportation which follows set routes at set times mostly during peak demand. Without that disproportionately high and predictable peak demand, public transportation is a sure looser. While it may be possible for our largest cities to retain some form of mass transit, it is certainly not cost or energy effective for any small to medium sized city.

The future of energy conservation in this country is going to be in renewable fuels. South Carolina may be behind the curve on everything else, but by gosh, we know our corn and hydrogen! No one solution can fit every country or even every area of one nation. I believe it is up to our regional scientists and engineers to find local solutions to energy conservation.

The solution to "creep and beep" might not even be transportation at all. I keep hoping that at some point I will be allowed to do my work sitting at a computer in my family room instead of driving to an office, sitting at a computer and then driving back home.

Wouldn't it be lovely if we could E-Mail the local grocery store and get our shopping bags delivered to our door because we knew deliveries were made in our neighborhood at 8:00 PM (or 7:00 AM or any time most people are actually at home) on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. (Remember the Milkman?)

Love them or hate them, cars are our future due to the country's vast expance. No one is going to change their driving habits out of coersion, but they may out of convenience.

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Yes, but

Bill713 on September 3, 2024 - 3:07pm

These government financed super trains in Asia and Eroupe are not cost effective when you combine tax burden and fares. But that is not what has stopped us. It's culture and urban sprawl. Culture says we are going to have a car (or three) anyway. Urban sprawl is because we will not have the "have" and "have nots" sharing neighborhoods and schools as long as land is accessible from the interstate highway and cheaper local systems will get us around.

Cars, highway fees, and driving qualification will have to cost much more than housing to redirect our priority. This government will never get there through legislation or expediture in my opinon. We will get closer by acting in our total economic interest with full consideration of public interest including the environment and fuel imports. Very high priced highway permits (usage fees) are a place to start, but without commerical exemptions/limitations, it will never 'drive' or fly.

Bill"for what we are together"

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