DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Unveiled: China's 245mph train service is the world's fastest

**ZZipZZipe** · 12-30-2009, 12:56 AM

adam's point isn't entirely accurate, of course, many factors influenced development of our transportation network. In europe deregulation of the air industry is more recent. OTOH, airlines haven't found it particularly fruitful to challenge HSR service (where HSR service has been launched, air service is generally reduced around 70% AFAIK).

Well, keep in mind I said "one of" and didn't give it all the credit. It's a mighty tough sell saying that a cheap 2 hour flight to Chicago doesn't hurt 12+ hour train to Chicago.

moreover, the feds made it as difficult as possible for railroads to change with the times. abandonments were highly regulated as were prices, often without regard to the economics of the situation. Sort of like the auto industry and dealerships now?

air service today is much cheaper than it was pre-deregulation, passenger rail is still managed in a dysfunctional model. government monopolies who are ultimately run by political cronies rather than people with a transportation background or directive. that's largely true for transit was well as intercity rail. And yes, other reasons why passenger rail is the way it is today in the US.

12-30-2009, 12:56 AM	#38
ZZipZZipe Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 482 Senior Member	adam's point isn't entirely accurate, of course, many factors influenced development of our transportation network. In europe deregulation of the air industry is more recent. OTOH, airlines haven't found it particularly fruitful to challenge HSR service (where HSR service has been launched, air service is generally reduced around 70% AFAIK). Well, keep in mind I said "one of" and didn't give it all the credit. It's a mighty tough sell saying that a cheap 2 hour flight to Chicago doesn't hurt 12+ hour train to Chicago. moreover, the feds made it as difficult as possible for railroads to change with the times. abandonments were highly regulated as were prices, often without regard to the economics of the situation. Sort of like the auto industry and dealerships now? air service today is much cheaper than it was pre-deregulation, passenger rail is still managed in a dysfunctional model. government monopolies who are ultimately run by political cronies rather than people with a transportation background or directive. that's largely true for transit was well as intercity rail. And yes, other reasons why passenger rail is the way it is today in the US.
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