If you live in one of these metropolitan areas, you might be a socialist

[^_^ 5,021]

nah. I'd pay the $20 parking if I had to, doesn't really matter to me. If there's a cheaper option I'll take it.

I won't advocate public transportation, especially anything rail based, until it can actually make money instead of being a drain on tax dollars.

That only happens when public transportation is very widespread. The NYC area, Chicago metro area, Bay Area, DC metro and Boston area. That's about it. Everywhere else cars and highways work just fine.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Steven, are you trying to throw out an insult with your avatar?

Huh?

[Obama 2012 1,714]

That only happens when public transportation is very widespread. The NYC area, Chicago metro area, Bay Area, DC metro and Boston area. That's about it. Everywhere else cars and highways work just fine.

you can't exlain that to many people who are strong advocates of fail sytems...

Look at Minneapolis for istance. They have a train that goes from the Mall of America to Downtown.. it loses millions of dollars a year. It's pathetic. Only time it's busy is during Vikings/Twins games... Yet, they want more more more...

Dallas is similar. Sure it gets you from downtown to suburban neighborhoods in the city, but they have busses that do that as well. They spend so much money on a rail system that loses millions a year. It's a rather large one no days, but not really worth the expense of it all for the amount of riders it has. It's been in place for the better part of a decade and still can't gain support eventhough they have pushed hard.

Here in Fort Worth, they want to bring back streetcars... They use the excuse it will 'help the poor get around' yet they don't want to put it in poor neighboorhoods.. they want to put it in Yuppie developments lol...

[Heracles 417]

Huh?

#######, I just owned myself. Stephanos = Steven

[one...two...tree 2,762]

#######, I just owned myself. Stephanos = Steven

How well can you read Greek?

[Heracles 417]

How well can you read Greek?

I completed elementary level language classes and was forced to tie up my Saturdays attending school.

[^_^ 5,021]

you can't exlain that to many people who are strong advocates of fail sytems...

Look at Minneapolis for istance. They have a train that goes from the Mall of America to Downtown.. it loses millions of dollars a year. It's pathetic. Only time it's busy is during Vikings/Twins games... Yet, they want more more more...

Dallas is similar. Sure it gets you from downtown to suburban neighborhoods in the city, but they have busses that do that as well. They spend so much money on a rail system that loses millions a year. It's a rather large one no days, but not really worth the expense of it all for the amount of riders it has. It's been in place for the better part of a decade and still can't gain support eventhough they have pushed hard.

Here in Fort Worth, they want to bring back streetcars... They use the excuse it will 'help the poor get around' yet they don't want to put it in poor neighboorhoods.. they want to put it in Yuppie developments lol...

They put in a light rail system not long ago from Trenton to a NJ suburb of Philadelphia. I recall being skeptical at the time I read about the plan as SEPTA already exists and runs parallel to this route, just on the PA side of the border. I heard it wasn't doing too well at first but ridership is now picking up nicely. The thing that made the difference is that a commuter culture using rail already exists in this region. Where this culture does not exist, you really need to make the case compelling for people to get on a train.

I completed elementary level language classes and was forced to tie up my Saturdays attending school.

parents can be such bastards lol

[Heracles 417]

parents can be such bastards lol

Yes, try explaining you spent your Saturday attending Greek school, while listening to the fun other kids were having.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

They put in a light rail system not long ago from Trenton to a NJ suburb of Philadelphia. I recall being skeptical at the time I read about the plan as SEPTA already exists and runs parallel to this route, just on the PA side of the border. I heard it wasn't doing too well at first but ridership is now picking up nicely. The thing that made the difference is that a commuter culture using rail already exists in this region. Where this culture does not exist, you really need to make the case compelling for people to get on a train.

It's hard to be compelling when people do so much on their way to/from work and are 'busy busy busy' as well.

The best thing they've had for years here (which rarely gets used) is Park & Ride lots where you can park your car then take the bus wherever you're going for the day... but outside of that, you can't convince people to take public transportation because of the stigma attached with it as well. It's mostly the poor/lower income people taking the bus....

The city of Arlington even goes one step further on that stiga. They vote down almost every other year a public transportation system. They don't want a 'certain type of person' in their city... Ironically enough, Arlington has the biggest gang problem of all cities in Dallas/Fort Worth.

There aren't easy answers in a suburban based society. The further people live away from work, the harder it is because of time constraints, etc... You can either drive and get there in 20 mins, or you can take public transport and get there in an hour... kind of sucks, especially both ways..

[^_^ 5,021]

There aren't easy answers in a suburban based society. The further people live away from work, the harder it is because of time constraints, etc... You can either drive and get there in 20 mins, or you can take public transport and get there in an hour... kind of sucks, especially both ways..

That right there is your compelling case. If I were to work in Manhattan (about 40 miles away), I can get there in less time taking the train. And I get to actually sleep or work on the train. Training to work only makes sense when there are lifestyle benefits. I don't know that there are a lot of people who will do it for cost benefits alone.

... you can't convince people to take public transportation because of the stigma attached with it as well. It's mostly the poor/lower income people taking the bus....

The city of Arlington even goes one step further on that stiga. They vote down almost every other year a public transportation system. They don't want a 'certain type of person' in their city... Ironically enough, Arlington has the biggest gang problem of all cities in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Yeah, out here we have a similar stratification. NJ Transit buses are for poor people. NJ Transit trains and the private bus lines are for the middle class. And the wealthy use the freakin' ferry, which is privately operated and very pricey (but very very nice).

[Gemmie 142]

Boston is number 6 on that list, and I'm not surprised.

Have you seen the drivers?

I'm not willing to tackle that.

[mawilson 2,133]

I just walk to work. Hate public transport.

[alienlovechild 75]

I won't advocate public transportation, especially anything rail based, until it can actually make money instead of being a drain on tax dollars.

If that's your criteria, you'll never see a functioning rail system.

Nearly all passenger rail service is subsidized with only two lines making a profit.

One is the Tokyo to Osaka line and I don't remember the other one.

[scandal 951]

That right there is your compelling case. If I were to work in Manhattan (about 40 miles away), I can get there in less time taking the train. And I get to actually sleep or work on the train. Training to work only makes sense when there are lifestyle benefits. I don't know that there are a lot of people who will do it for cost benefits alone.

That describes me perfectly. I commute 20 miles each way by train (suburbs to Chicago Loop). It's great. I read on the train, sleep on the train. Even drink beer on the train (open alcohol containers are allowed on Metra). Rock on.

[luckytxn 2,263]

You FAIL. That was Houston, which ironically is on the list, so twice slaps you in the face!

Yeah that would be us down here.