Comments on: John McCain vs. Amtrak http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/07/01/john-mccain-vs-amtrak/ Moving Together, Faster Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:46:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: John McCain Running Mate http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/07/01/john-mccain-vs-amtrak/#comment-9578 John McCain Running Mate Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:08:54 +0000 http://www.transitmiami.com/?p=2523#comment-9578 check out this post on John McCain\'s Running Mate http://dirtyelection.com/colin-powell-as-john-mccains-running-mate/mccain/ check out this post on John McCain\’s Running Mate http://dirtyelection.com/colin-powell-as-john-mccains-running-mate/mccain/

]]> By: serial catowner http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/07/01/john-mccain-vs-amtrak/#comment-6969 serial catowner Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:15:26 +0000 http://www.transitmiami.com/?p=2523#comment-6969 It's understandable that McCain, who can fly in his wife's private jet to a publicly-funded airport when he wants to visit one of their seven homes, isn't feeling any pain in the transportation department. However, this doesn't make '100 Years' McCain a model of fiscal probity. It's simply not true that America is "too large" for rail transportation or that planes always get you there in "a fraction" of the time. There are at least five and more probably ten corridors where high-speed rail would take market share from air travel, largely because these are places where rail would be quicker than flying. Because so many flights are commuter flights, this would take a huge load ff our runways and air controller systems, which the Bush administration has consistently refused to fund or staff adequately. At the bottom line, there is no evidence that McCain has ever given any thought whatsoever to our transportation needs, or to AGW, which is forcing us to re-evaluate the outcomes we're looking for in transit. If elected, he would probably convene a secret transportation policy meeting, just as Cheney in 2001 convened a still-secret energy policy meeting. I think we can all see just how well that method of doing business has worked out. It’s understandable that McCain, who can fly in his wife’s private jet to a publicly-funded airport when he wants to visit one of their seven homes, isn’t feeling any pain in the transportation department.

However, this doesn’t make ‘100 Years’ McCain a model of fiscal probity. It’s simply not true that America is “too large” for rail transportation or that planes always get you there in “a fraction” of the time.

There are at least five and more probably ten corridors where high-speed rail would take market share from air travel, largely because these are places where rail would be quicker than flying. Because so many flights are commuter flights, this would take a huge load ff our runways and air controller systems, which the Bush administration has consistently refused to fund or staff adequately.

At the bottom line, there is no evidence that McCain has ever given any thought whatsoever to our transportation needs, or to AGW, which is forcing us to re-evaluate the outcomes we’re looking for in transit. If elected, he would probably convene a secret transportation policy meeting, just as Cheney in 2001 convened a still-secret energy policy meeting. I think we can all see just how well that method of doing business has worked out.

]]> By: Armando http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/07/01/john-mccain-vs-amtrak/#comment-6967 Armando Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:30:46 +0000 http://www.transitmiami.com/?p=2523#comment-6967 First off, train transportation works in Europe because geographically Europe is much smaller and major cities are all within a reasonable distance. This makes train travel cost effective and reasonable as a matter of time. However, the US is too large of a country to be viable for a pervasive passenger train system. Major cities are too far from each other. This makes train travel times too long compared to air travel and the distance causes train tickets to be prohibitively expensive. Airfare is comparably cheaper and gets you to your destination in a fraction of the time. To an urban planner or regional official, issues like this are very important, regardless of their economic viability or common sense. However, Sen. McCain has to look at this from a different perspective. Economically, Amtrak is a disaster. First off, train transportation works in Europe because geographically Europe is much smaller and major cities are all within a reasonable distance. This makes train travel cost effective and reasonable as a matter of time. However, the US is too large of a country to be viable for a pervasive passenger train system. Major cities are too far from each other. This makes train travel times too long compared to air travel and the distance causes train tickets to be prohibitively expensive. Airfare is comparably cheaper and gets you to your destination in a fraction of the time.

To an urban planner or regional official, issues like this are very important, regardless of their economic viability or common sense. However, Sen. McCain has to look at this from a different perspective. Economically, Amtrak is a disaster.

]]> By: G http://www.transitmiami.com/2008/07/01/john-mccain-vs-amtrak/#comment-6948 G Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:26:37 +0000 http://www.transitmiami.com/?p=2523#comment-6948 Here come the threadjoack.... Have you seen this interview about transit from the junior senator of Md? http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/6/30/111047/774 Here come the threadjoack….

Have you seen this interview about transit from the junior senator of Md?

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/6/30/111047/774

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