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Stable 1.2 Gigabit/s Internet achieved in moving train in Switzerland

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Re: Stable 1.2 Gigabit/s Internet achieved in moving train in Switzerland

#221

Post by taurath »

wpdev_63 wrote: post #53
singhrac wrote: post #4

I would honestly pay significantly higher taxes if we could get Swiss-quality train service in parts of the US (and especially if they have good internet). When I traveled Boston to NY in the past, compare my flight experience vs Amtrak. Flight: - Take $25 Uber to airport and get there 1 hour early to go through security and wait. - Fly to JFK (1h 20m) - land, wait to get off, go through terminal again, then take $50…

The main problem with the US interstate train system is that it's run on freight train lines. Amtrak and Acela do not actually own the railway they use and they can only go a certain speed due to the grade of the track. I don't think you would be willing to pay the amount of taxes you would need to, to completely redo the railways haha. Anyways Amtrak are barely turning a profit as it is and while it would be great t…

When we built the interstate highway system the top income tax rate was 87%.

Re: Stable 1.2 Gigabit/s Internet achieved in moving train in Switzerland

#222

Post by Retric »

dtwest wrote: post #195
ggm wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I don't think you would be willing to pay the amount of taxes you would need to, to completely redo the railways haha. This premise feels wrong: The Swiss, German, Chinese, Spanish experience is that people pay to have high speed rail services, and the G20 economies in that list pay high marginal rates of taxes just fine, for this outcome. The "you" here is conditionally the "you" of current social mores America. I…

Building such a network is less economically feasible in America compared to Europe or China because of America's suburban sprawl. First, it'll cost more to build because you'll need to clear out a route of suburban housing to get between any two cities. Second, the population density of the US is less concentrated, which makes getting to the station take longer, and improves the relative attractiveness of other tran…

US population density is hardly the issue for two reasons, first nobody wants high speed rail in Alaska. But secondly high speed rail is between cities not every little podunk town. Linking Richmond, DC, Baltimore, NYC, Boston is a single 550 mile high speed rail line, which connects over 10% of the entire Americana population.

Re: Stable 1.2 Gigabit/s Internet achieved in moving train in Switzerland

#223

Post by flexie »

singhrac wrote: post #4

I would honestly pay significantly higher taxes if we could get Swiss-quality train service in parts of the US (and especially if they have good internet). When I traveled Boston to NY in the past, compare my flight experience vs Amtrak. Flight: - Take $25 Uber to airport and get there 1 hour early to go through security and wait. - Fly to JFK (1h 20m) - land, wait to get off, go through terminal again, then take $50…

As for a): That might be true for a coast to coast flight vs. a coast to coast train ride. But most travelling is not that distant.

The population density in America as a hole is far smaller than in Switzerland, but the population density in NY State is almost double that in Switzerland. In fact, the population density on the US coasts, where most of the infrastructure is, is in the same range as in Europe. The cost of laying and maintaining a few train tracks over the sparsely populated US interior is not the reason it's more expensive in the US.

Railroads in Switzerland are built in extremely mountainous terrain with lots of expensive tunnels etc. and in expensive urban areas.

Re: Stable 1.2 Gigabit/s Internet achieved in moving train in Switzerland

#224

Post by GoOnThenDoTell »

ClumsyPilot wrote: post #169
SnowProblem wrote: post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think if you want a high-quality train service, you should pay for it through higher fares. Saying you would pay higher taxes is sly language for saying you want to others to subsidize you.

We tried this "subsidise nothing" approach in britain in the 1800, people had to pay for being in jail, and for being judged. There was no public police, investigation or fire service. It was miserable, corruption was massive, streets were dangerous, and whole towns burned to the ground. Penatly for the smallest crime was death, and it didn't help. Either you accept that civilisation needs infrastructure to function,…

Do you happen to know where I can read more about how that came to be the situation, or is it more that it’s the default and anything else is gravy?

Re: Stable 1.2 Gigabit/s Internet achieved in moving train in Switzerland

#225

Post by mafuy »

Aeolun wrote: post #156
umvi wrote: post #145

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From what I understand other countries (especially EU) essentially contract out defense to the US for economical reasons (i.e. so they can afford to spend more of their budget on social services and less on military). If US cuts military budget it means EU will have to increase military budget by more than the US cut to make up for it.

Yeah, so there’s some positive externalities too ;) It’s not healthy for Europe to be so dependent on the US, as has been proven over the past 4 years.

Europe also does not stir up as much conflict in the world as the US does, isn't it? So they are less in need of defense.

Re: Stable 1.2 Gigabit/s Internet achieved in moving train in Switzerland

#226

Post by [deleted] »

himlion wrote: post #164
joejohnson wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The US is certainly not cheaper for two products that everyone has to buy: healthcare and housing. Switzerland is significantly more affordable than the US because the price of these two goods (which are human rights) are regulated.

Housing in Switzerland is more expensive than the US if you exclude LA, SF and NY.

[deleted]

Re: Stable 1.2 Gigabit/s Internet achieved in moving train in Switzerland

#227

Post by asdfasgasdgasdg »

singhrac wrote: post #4

I would honestly pay significantly higher taxes if we could get Swiss-quality train service in parts of the US (and especially if they have good internet). When I traveled Boston to NY in the past, compare my flight experience vs Amtrak. Flight: - Take $25 Uber to airport and get there 1 hour early to go through security and wait. - Fly to JFK (1h 20m) - land, wait to get off, go through terminal again, then take $50…

Slightly confused by your complaints r.e. jfk > manhattan via mass transit. You get on the LIRR and you end up in penn station. It's not the same as grand central but from a connectivity perspective it's similar. I've taken the train from Zurich airport to Zurich HB and while I recall it being fancier it's not like it's materially different (both go from point A to point B in a reasonable period of time at a reasonable cost).

Re: Stable 1.2 Gigabit/s Internet achieved in moving train in Switzerland

#229

Post by ludston »

gruez wrote: post #87
dbetteridge wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is all accurate, but people still expect reception and speed when travelling between those dense population centres by road or rail. Much like Australia, this means providers build the infrastructure to supply those areas but then the cost is recovered from the dense population areas. Theres also some capatilism nonsense oligopolies thrown in there, but that's the core issue.

> This is all accurate, but people still expect reception and speed when travelling between those dense population centres by road or rail. Why doesn't the consumer have a choice? I'd be willing to sacrifice coverage in rural areas in exchange for 50-80% discounted tariffs, for instance.

Because you don't want to increase the class divide between rural and non-rural areas. Or maybe you do, but most of us don't, and you have to conform to our values if you want to live with the benefits that a society of those values have produced.
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