The fact that 98% of Americans have never been on an intercity train says a ton about why so many folks think high-speed trains are a waste of money. They've never experienced the joy and simplicity of going from one city center to another one 200 mi away in two hrs. They have no frame of reference.
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Then come back to New Jersey and think putting up reminders to peds about jaywalking makes a walkable downtown.
I could have rented a bike since I flew in and out of Brussels I guess but I wanted to be cool ;-)
Connects to sweet light rail lines.
Electric buses at every station, just hop on. I'm in heaven.
Bikes welcome.
I'd bring a book, but looked out the window instead.
That ~hour long ride was so enjoyable, besides paying less for the monthly pass than the parking fees alone.
Didn't need the high speed.
When I was a kid, the light rail system was 4 blocks from my house, quite a network throughout the county.
It was abandoned when the Interstate came in.
The space for work etc. and the fact passenger density so much lower is another plus.
Had to carry luggage on
I'm flying next time
From experience driving from Chicago on a weekend or Holiday will add 3 to 4 hours to your trip vs a 5 hour train trip total time
Amtrak would be unsustainable if it only did high speed trips from major city to major city most of the passengers on my routes get off at Universities
It is what it is
We'll never be Europe we're America 🇺🇸
Combine that with convenience, space, $$$ and the Borealis line is the clear 🏆.
There is no better place in NA for bicycle transit.
It's no Amsterdam and saying it's the best is a lot like being the tallest Hobbit in the Shire. But it's pretty remarkable considering the climate.
We really need better regional mass transit
A cab from O'Hare to Downtown Chicago at times will take you 90 minutes to go 17 miles
Metro airport is 20 miles from downtown Detroit
It's the same or more
It's easy to get almost everywhere without one just a few miles by car met at the station
During off season 250 miles can be done for $30 ticket
And you are right, without knowing how great trains are, how can you appreciate them.
My love for transit really comes from my visits to the UK and Europe which is ironic as folks in London love nothing better than to complain about the tube
(I support high speed trains. Just saying that Europeans underestimate our vastness)
The only trains we have carry freight 😅
The dense clusters of the past were a much better model cast aside by the smart people of the day and still not turned right.
Why are we surprised a mom is arrested for letting a 10 yo walk alone (something every 10 yo is capable of)?
Car only investment for decades has harmed the USA in many ways.