Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 09:29:08 -0400 From: Guava Baby <guavababynopsamspring.com> Subject: Re: I bought one of those as well......
davehinznopsamcop.net wrote: > Someone who looks an awful lot like JC <johnc_22nopsamo.com> wrote: > > Lack of good transit is why I love my Saab so much! > > Well, to be fair, the reason that we don't have a good passenger rail > system here in the US is more related to the sheer distances involved, > than due to any lack of effort. I don't know about that. The US government is far more libertarian-minded than most European governments, so providing services like good public transportation regardless of cost has never been a priority. As a consequence, Amtrak is expected to pull its own financial weight without ever having had the opportunity to develop the necessary infrastructure. Hence, its service sucks. I live in Boston and my parents live in New Jersey. Although there is a pretty direct rail line between us, the trip takes approximately 7 hours by rail (plus an hour to get to and from the stations) at a cost of roughly $100. Driving takes 4.5 hours and requires a single tank of gas (approx. $18 + about $4 in tolls). I love mass transit and I love trains, but with the time and money at stake I nearly always drive. Leigh