[foxfire_ga79]

I sure hope so!

FOXNews.com - Can America Get on Track?

I've thought about this a lot. I was watching Casino Royale I think last week (the new one, with the oh so drool-worthy Daniel Craig) and in the scene where they're on the train I was wondering why it's not like that here in the States.
I think this would be good for us in many ways. Less car travel will be good for the environment. This will most certainly create jobs. Good ones at that. It will boost the travel/tourism industry. We want to go to the Grand Canyon this year and it's a 2 day drive. It sure would be nice if we could get there in a couple of hours and not have to terrorize me by putting me on a plane. And I think train travel will be less of a PITA than flying.
The only thing I don't like about it is that I despise eminent domain. My land in Virginia and my land here in Georgia have both been devalued thanks to eminent domain taking a claim. But I guess for the greater good it's something that has to happen.

In short, I think it would be wonderful for us to get going on a good rail system. This really is one thing I don't mind saying "it works in Europe and it can work here too."

[*Jillian*]

I actually think it is a fabulous idea too.

Originally Posted by *Jillian*

I actually think it is a fabulous idea too.

Agreed.

I can't stand to fly though, so any option other than flying works wonderfully for me LOL.

[~Kris~]

I don't think it is a good idea. Maybe things are better in other areas of the country, but here the state begs and begs the feds for more money to support failing public transportation systems. I'd hate to see the money spent to build it, only to not be used enough.

[Poncho06]

They do have the Acela Express from Amtrak that runs from Boston to DC with a stop in NYC and one or two others. I've ridden it several times (I live outside of NYC but am originally from the boston area). It's a nice ride but even with the federal subsidies it is very expensive and most times costs more than if I flew.

Acela Express - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Jarheadwed]

I would love to see a high-speed rail system. Minnesota has implemented a commuter rail, and although I didn't get to use it when I lived in the state, I think its a great idea. Public transportation is a good thing, IMHO.

[foxfire_ga79]

Yea I've looked up Amtrak things before and the prices are way too steep. But I'm thinking if this becomes a norm then the price will fall to where they will be reasonable. Anything that's rare will cost a lot. If trains were more available then more people would use them and with more paying customers they won't have to charge high prices to cover their running costs.

[mayandsofiasmommy]

Originally Posted by irishxrose

Agreed.

I can't stand to fly though, so any option other than flying works wonderfully for me LOL.

Ditto to this!!!

[Quantum_Leap]

I started to reply and then realized that I don't really know enough about this to say anything intelligent. Does anyone else know how these trains would be powered? Do they run on fossil fuels, like the airplanes do, or are they powered by clean energy?

[TheOtherMichelle]

They've been trying to get this put through in both my state and city, and to me neither one seems like a realistic option. Maybe because I don't know that many commuters?

I have to add, the whole thing makes me think of the monorail episode of the Simpsons.

[BonitaAppleBomb]

And how would this be funded? So we can all agree to have an alternate form of transportation when we already have enough transportation as it is. But we cannot ever agree to have an alternate form of health insurance so that everyone will be covered? Makes so much sense to me. We can't allow you the necessary insurance to see a doctor but let's give you a high speed rail as a consolation prize..how 'bout that?

Please excuse my rant...I just finished reading the UHC thread.

[fluffycheeks]

Originally Posted by ~Kris~

I don't think it is a good idea. Maybe things are better in other areas of the country, but here the state begs and begs the feds for more money to support failing public transportation systems. I'd hate to see the money spent to build it, only to not be used enough.

Originally Posted by Poncho06

They do have the Acela Express from Amtrak that runs from Boston to DC with a stop in NYC and one or two others. I've ridden it several times (I live outside of NYC but am originally from the boston area). It's a nice ride but even with the federal subsidies it is very expensive and most times costs more than if I flew.

Acela Express - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Big fat ditto to both of these posts. We live in DC, but DH often works up in NYC, so he takes the Acela here and there. It is usually more expensive than taking a plane, even with federal government subsidies of $1.3 Billion per year! Totaly waste of money, IMO, and the amount of money it would take could be used SO many other, better ways.

[DollBabyKG]

I don't mind the idea in theory but I'm not so sure it would work in practice. At least in terms of reducing every day driving, and pollution, and things like that. I know, for me, regardless of how ubiquitous public transportation may become one day, I'm never giving up my car. I love the freedom it provides me, and to be quite honest, public transportation makes me nervous. And most of the people I know feel the same way, so I'm just not sure if it would be used enough to justify the cost. If we're talking about just another option for cross country travel outside of airplanes, maybe that would be more feasible, but for everyday use, I just am not sure it would be utilized enough.

But, I could be wrong, and be in the minority here. I don't know enough about it to make a truly intelligent response.

And I agree with a previous comment regarding imminent domain and property values.