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{A} I doubt seriously that among any given group of people having transportation needs, the majority of them (who will not be rail enthusiasts/hobbyists) will not find any one mode to be more "fun" than the other. Suggesting that the fun of riding rail would be a material benefit over and above bussing, has got to be one of the more (*ahem, trying to be polite*) CREATIVE suggestions I've seen on this forum in a while. [2c] {B} I'd really like to see the heavy passenger rail option mentioned in Mr Klepper's analysis manage to board 80,000 passengers an hour through a single point of entry. Just envisioning the logistics of trying to empty a sports stadium in 60 minutes with everyone exiting in an orderly path in the same direction, sorting their change to buy a ticket, then finding a seat, challenges believability. [2c] {C} At least those children receiving government subsidized education will grow up to become <s>slaves</s> ERR, I mean TAXPAYERS to help pay into social security to pay for my retirement. Some hobbyist special interest streetcar will only rust away eventually, until some fool preservationist will get the crazy idea that the past must be preserved, and seek a government grant ($tax dollars) to restore the thing. Big difference in payback potential, if you ask me. one is a bottomless pit while the other at least presents SOME premise of payback. (teach a man to fish, etc) [2c] {D} Those of you who think that rail will ride better than tires on pavement are really overlooking how bad aged / neglected railway rides, as well as overlooking the benefit of pneumatic tires in cushioning the road. If what you are trying to argue is that brand new rail supporting brand new equipment rides smoother than busses on existing city streets, well, sure, but i'll bet we could fix an awfull lot of bumpy streets for the cost it would take to install new rail systems. and, at least by putting that money into streets, it would benefit everyone, not just a few thousand rail enthusiasts trying to pretend it's 1927 all over again [2c] {E} No good analysis would be complete without examining opportunity cost...if we dedicate more land to limited use commuter rail , we are forever taking that land out of other productive use. No parades, ice cream wagons, moving vans, concrete delivery trucks, or stretch limosines will EVER be able to benefit from the us of that land again. the value of that land is effectively removed from potential use by ALL but a narrow swath of potential users. [2c] There's my dime, keep the change [8D]
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