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Detroit, 8:29 AM
Fri Nov 27
1 posts in the last 24 hours
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07/06/09
One does make money moving freight! - CSX Exec ???
I would love to see monorails to/from towns. But that isn't profitable...
07/05/09
Except I drive a Dodge.
07/04/09
It was like a game of Clue to figure out where the train would be at what time and some stations are only "stop on demand"--oh, and in DC, they take off the fast engines and put on the slow ones for the Crescent (a.k.a. "Sidewinder" for its frequent derailments) and other south-bounders. But it's still cost competitive against driving and flying--like 80 bucks from Richmond VA to New Haven CT. I would gladly take a commuter train to my job--except there isn't one.
My European friends are always shocked that a country this size has so little rail service.
07/04/09
07/04/09
07/05/09
07/04/09
Who do you think pays for roads?
Who do you think who pays for war in the middle east to keep the oil coming?
But trains aren't in style. So THAT mode of transportation alone should stop receiving subsidies.
07/04/09
One of these things is not like the other. One of these things makes sense.
Motorists pay for the roads on which they travel through on-road fuel taxes and tolls.
Air travel and railways actually cost the traveler less than the cost involved in operation.
The war is about ideology, not oil. Regardless of how ruthless the dictator is in any oil producing country, if we keep paying for the oil, they'll keep sending it over. Starting a war is counter productive, capitalistically.
07/04/09
A quick look at Wikipedia (admittedly, not the best source) indicates that the interstate highway system is not fully funded by gas taxes but relies on general government revenues as well.
You seem to be indicating that not only is it completely paid by motorists, but that motorists also fund rail and air?
Do you have a source for that information supporting your statements?
Just interested in knowing one way or another.
07/04/09
07/04/09
Roughly speaking, most years, the total revenue would be about equal to highway spending if you take Highway patrol out of the equation.
However, records wise, the revenue falls short, and is subsidized primarily by property taxes (presumably by those businesses and residences that benefit from the roadway)
The taxes from fuel are mostly reserved for transportation, and most of that goes toward roadways, but officially, some goes toward public transit.
Most statistical data supports the perception that fuel taxes equate to a near net-zero use tax.
Back to your citing Wikipedia: I have no real issues with what is stated there, but while it mentions generous public funding, (what I assume you are referring to), it ignores that the vast majority of those public funds are from fuel tax (which is mostly earmarked specifically for transportation spending).
So, I guess the answer is yes and no.
07/04/09
07/04/09
07/04/09
07/04/09
In my opinion, rail needs to be fast, efficent and most importantly, run by people who are NOT tied down by the the government looking over their shoulder. Because me, when the government gets involved in the world of business, things never turn out well.
07/05/09
07/05/09
03/18/09
03/18/09
03/18/09
03/18/09
Will a purple rose be placed on the hood during the Fit's eulogy?
/stupid reference needing local Chelsea knowledge
03/18/09
She's kinda handsome, we kinda look the same
She was pretty, from Chelsea city
I'm walkin down that old fair lane
I'm in heat, I'm in love
But her Honda Fit couldn't go
I said train kept a-rolloing all night long
train kept a-rolling all night long
train kept a-rolling all night long
train kept a-rolling all night long
With a "heave" and a "ho", that little Fit wouldn't go!
03/18/09
03/18/09
03/18/09
03/18/09
03/18/09
You drive up over a berm-type crossing. You misjudge the "landing" on the other side and a wheel drops off between the pavement and the tracks. It's like a 2'-3' no-man's land. With an open diff, you just sit there spinning a wheel in midair. Part of why it's hard to judge the angle is because the steep breakover provides zero visibility.
I've seen this happen and helped the person get out of the situation. I may or may not be married to this person today.
03/18/09
03/18/09
What kind of car was the future Mrs. Ash driving? I wouldn't like to think the regal Ash married a car commoner.
03/18/09
Also, there's a reason why she has AWD with electronic wizardy now. Shhhhhh.
03/18/09
03/18/09
03/18/09