tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3231025971179579698.post6968229786019754036..comments2024-03-09T05:02:14.656-05:00Comments on The Second Age: High Speed Rail in America? I'll Believe It When I See ItNatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11221202230365353676noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3231025971179579698.post-16950968992594697172010-08-23T15:32:30.683-04:002010-08-23T15:32:30.683-04:00It's important to point out that although Euro...It's important to point out that although Europe has a very good high speed rail system that is cheaper than the US, the rail industry in Europe is also highly subsidized. High speed rail is not feasible in the United States. If we had started doing it 30 years ago and had an infrastructure in place then it would be a smart thing to invest in. Any alternative public or efficient transportation method in the United States will be something new. Passenger rail in the United States would cost too much to overcome its inherent problems (infrastructure, public stigma, poor business model, lack of private funding, Environmental regulations etc.). It is a 20th century solution that the passed by the US.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09297105289171257458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3231025971179579698.post-42367210907646025472010-08-22T21:20:33.975-04:002010-08-22T21:20:33.975-04:00Lance:
The government pours billions into the upk...Lance:<br /><br />The government pours billions into the upkeep of the rails and rail stations, just as they do to control airways and maintain airports. On top of this, Amtrak receives additional money to keep it operating and wasting at its current rate. The reason airline prices are around what rail tickets are is the competition in the air travel marketplace, not direct government subsidies, as you suggest.<br /><br />Additionally, don't take my saying rail costs too much as a defense of airlines. They're both horrendously disorganized industries whose treatment of their customers is closer to that of cattle than of paying charges. While both receive help from the government in maintenance of their respective routes and terminals, it is Amtrak that is run and funded by the government.Matt Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10729005879354847365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3231025971179579698.post-65623253126338095092010-08-22T18:07:46.806-04:002010-08-22T18:07:46.806-04:00Mr. Kane states that Amtrak receives a subsidy, wh...Mr. Kane states that Amtrak receives a subsidy, which it true, and if they didn't the cost of the trip to Boston would be more expensive than the plane. <br />Hmmm....does Mr. Kane not think that the FAA control of the airways and billions poured into airports and service considered by the gov't to be "essential" is a "subsidy"? <br />If you want to compare at least be fair about it and not just give your opinion without doing the research required of a journalist.Lancenoreply@blogger.com