Will rising fuel costs spur public transit?

Press of Atlantic City ^ | 16 Jan 2008 | John Semmens

[durasell]

yes

[glorgau]

no

[durasell]

yes

[pepsionice]

Greens have a concrete idea that such rising fuel costs must equal great public transit...and they are even willing to tax the heck out of fuel to prove their point. I live in Germany....where I consider mass transit at its absolute peak. In the bigger cities...it works...but primarily because of traffic clogs. Once you get outside of metropolitan areas...it doesn’t work period.

I used to use a train...whenever my car was in the shop...to get from work to home. At 5:30pm....there were a total of 12 people on a 80-passenger train. Economically...its hard to justify running a train like this...but I’m sure the state pays alot of cash to make sure it runs.

[AZLiberty]

I have to think that $3 or $4 gasoline is going to make the Phoenix light rail system a lot more attractive when it opens this year than when it was started seven years ago.

[blackbart.223]

"The automobile should be hailed for its ability to save our most precious resource: time."

Not to mention freedom of movement. Screw "public transportation". .

[umgud]

I live in a town that's pretty spread out. It has public buses, but no rail. A few years ago, I bought a 4x4 from a guy accross town (about 10 miles). I couldn't find anyone to take me to get it or drive one of my other vehicles home, so I decided to ride the bus.

WOW! What a ride. After several bus changes and riding all over the place, I finally got there an hour and a half later.

Yeah right, public transit? Bull$hit.

[blackbart.223]

"But I’m sure the state pays alot of cash to make sure it runs."

So much for cost efficiency.

[endthematrix]

If the automobile is disdained and disparaged as an “energy waster” the various government transportation agencies should be called on the hemorrhage of taxpayer cash.

FYI here in Illinois:

“Doomsday” averted!
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today commended the General Assembly for accepting his improvements to a long-term mass transit funding bill that provides free public transportation to Illinois seniors. The CTA, Metra and Pace had planned for drastic service cuts, fare hikes, and layoffs if no solution was passed by Sunday.

$494 million in new, recurring funding for the Regional Transportation Authority, which includes the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace; and another $50 million for transit agencies in other parts of Illinois.

[SIDENET]

Reducing automobile use and encouraging public transportation is said to have other benefits as well: less traffic congestion; less air pollution; and a more-satisfied workforce, as fewer people start the day frustrated or angry from the morning commute.

Let's not forget the "benefit" of riding next to someone who probably hasn't bathed in a week.

Seriously though, I wonder how long it will be until some liberal utopia like SF tries to force public transportation on its people. Just like with "no fireplace" days, could "no private auto days" be in the cards?

[SIDENET]

WOW! What a ride. After several bus changes and riding all over the place, I finally got there an hour and a half later.

My observation is that public transportation is great, if a person wants to wait around for their ride.

My (and obviously your) time is worth more than that.

[blackbart.223]

"I have to think that $3 or $4 gasoline is going to make the Phoenix light rail system a lot more attractive when it opens this year than when it was started seven years ago."

I'll pay the gas price as opposed to being forced to ride a cattle car.

[durasell]

I haven’t owned a car in 20 years, and don’t miss it a bit.

On the other hand, a friend recently told me that it costs $80.00 a week to fill up the family SUV. $320.00 a month. For an awful lot of people that’s a budget-buster.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I'll pay the gas price as opposed to being forced to ride a cattle car.

I think most people will simply reconsider their priorities and spend less money on less important things.

[blackbart.223]

"Let's not forget the "benefit" of riding next to someone who probably hasn't bathed in a week."

Another benefit of liberal utopia. You can be sure the advocates of this won't be on that bus.

[dr_lew]

I say $10 a gallon would do it. In the 40’s, the trains were packed. People rode hundreds of miles standing in the aisles. You can get used to anything.

[blackbart.223]

"I think most people will simply reconsider their priorities and spend less money on less important things."

Maybe. I'll just work harder to afford the gas and not give up my lifestyle on the whim of some turd politician. The more freedom we give up the more they will take. They can all kiss my ass.

[blackbart.223]

"I say $10 a gallon would do it. In the 40’s, the trains were packed. People rode hundreds of miles standing in the aisles. You can get used to anything."

I hope you said that in jest. If you didn't then you get used to it. I won't.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Socialists would hope so, as the more a person is
forced to depend on government for safety, food,
housing and transportation, the more likely they
will vote more liberal.