Why is it so hard for the U.S. to build quality transit?

Post by marssaxman » Tue, Aug 06, 2024, 4:08 PM UTC

conor- wrote: post #98

normalaccess wrote: post #95

America is HUGE... And all of the big cities seem unable to herd their own cats. People often forget that the USA is really 50 small countries wearing a trench coat. Just look the maps linked below. The EU has all its people piled up close where as the US has HUGE tracts of low population areas. That's why you'll never see a high speed coast to coast rail system here. logistically it's just not possible (at least not…

I've seen a lot of suggestions that there should at least be a high speed rail corridor from Chicago to NYC and one from SF to LA because those are 2 of the most highly trafficked domestic flight paths. The fact there isn't really high speed rail connections across large cities in the Midwest is kind of silly considering there isn't much terrain to contend with like there is on the coasts. Even the 1 new route Amtrak…

Post by stocknoob » Tue, Aug 06, 2024, 4:32 PM UTC

HDThoreaun wrote: post #106

Empact wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are various ways to hide an airtag on a bike. Consequences are the way to deter thieves.

Cops here in Chicago will not do anything about bike thefts. Multiple cases of vigilantes getting arrested after they took the law into their own hands when cops wouldnt retrieve their airtagged bike.

Post by rawgabbit » Tue, Aug 06, 2024, 5:14 PM UTC

Jensson wrote: post #114

HDThoreaun wrote: post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> it is much nicer to sit in public transit for an hour than drive for an hour. I agree but the vast majority of people i speak to do not. They would much rather listen to a podcast or music than deal with the crazy people on public transit.

> deal with the crazy people on public transit I've never dealt with crazy people on public transit and have used it daily for decades, everyone else just wants to mind their own business, although I live in Europe. So that problem is something that isn't inherent to public transit. In the end public transit doesn't have more crazy people than a grocery store where I live, and I don't see why there would be in USA ei…

Post by Jensson » Tue, Aug 06, 2024, 5:44 PM UTC

onecommentman wrote: post #80

mitthrowaway2 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's begging the question isn't it? In places with quality transit, even the creme de la creme are riding it.

Not the *real crème de la crème”, unless it is a photo op. Not regularly, and they have access to limos whenever the occasion calls for it. Their staff handles the logistics and staff quite often use automobiles. But an occasional trip to Lincoln Center, sure. Even shopping on 5th Avenue, though the packages will be delivered later by an auto or van or whatever vehicles those sorts of people use.

Post by archagon » Tue, Aug 06, 2024, 9:05 PM UTC

onecommentman wrote: post #79

Kbelicius wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> In the US, if you prioritize the wants of the people, you'll just get wider roads. The people there don't want better public transit; you can see this every time these discussions come up on HN and Americans here respond about how much they hate riding on public transit or walking anywhere. Everybody wants a car because public transit sucks. Do you think that those people would still want a car if they lived somewh…

Absolutely yes. Families with children would want it. People with erratic schedules and demands for travel would want it. The aged would want it. People who highly value their and their children’s personal safety and security would want it. People living in harsh climates would want it. People with last-mile issues would want it. People with certain disabilities would want it. People who value their personal time hig…