Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
Originally Posted by SubieRubyRoo
Jeff, I agree. But my whole point is, if we are not throwing out the system that got us here along with the bathwater, there needs to be a compelling case to make the switch. Like:
Unlimited mass transit rides around the city for say $10/day per person, or something similar, so ~$300/mo. Efficiency of scale would likely make this worthwhile for the big cities, especially when you require up-front payment vs. on-the-spot so they can do trend planning and the like.
Contrast that against even the cheapest car lease of say $150, plus gas, plus plates, plus insurance, plus parking, plus maintenance... probably at least $600/mo, and that's if you're extremely frugal and doing all the maintenance yourself. Even if you bought a 15-year-old hooptie, you're still 50% higher than the mass transit.
I'd think orchestrating trains, buses, and possibly some other mass transit modes is likely easier than figuring out how to deal with all those cars and where to put them. When you don't have to devote 20% of a downtown area to parking spaces, you can fit in a lot more retail or business space, which will drive up revenues even more, and cut down on dangers to foot traffic as well.
Subie, you are just being logical again...
Gee, I wonder how optimizing the traffic lights and certain patterns would affect traffic flow and the smog that comes with it...
But but but the vehicles (Cars, Trucks, SUVs, CUVs) these days are more fuel efficient.... (hybrids, electrics, alternatives)
But but but, not enough taxes to repair roads (while taking more money even accounting for #% annual inflation than some decades ago)
I think the answers (I don't think there is a simple solution and it will be all local/Metro area) will take some very bright lighted heads and ........