handofdave
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Rail Economics
Nov 04, 2009, 00:38
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Warren Buffet makes giant investment in US Rail
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Buffetts-Berkshire-buying-apf-3016566039.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=2&asset=&ccode=
Europe and the UK, as well as some other industrialized nations are a bit more versed in continuous, efficient rail services.
I'd be curious to know how private vs. public transport is represented here on the forum. When I've lived in the country, I've had to drive a car to reliably get where I've needed to go. When I've lived in the city, the subway/trolley/bus services served.
Where I live now, there used to be, a century ago, an extensive network of small-rail commuter rail systems that was phased out and replaced by paved roads and highways. Now, there's some talk of bringing something of that back, at least between major commuter veins.
I have a love/hate relationship with my car... it's a schismik freedom/enslavement thing.
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stray
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Edited Nov 04, 2009, 02:07
Re: Rail Economics
Nov 04, 2009, 02:06
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handofdave wrote:
Europe and the UK, as well as some other industrialized nations are a bit more versed in continuous, efficient rail services.
Well, we used to be but.. (Actually I thought when I saw the thread title you were going to be talking about this..)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8340561.stm
Our Public transport has in general gone to shit very very rapidly in the last ten years. Lack of investment caused by a piss poor privatisation model. Can't speak for the rest of Europe but Spains public transport (especially the trains) blew my away, and France has always been ok to get about in too. Mind you, I'm from the UK, so I'm easily impressed.
Its always been Public transport for me, or bicycle. I gave up my motorbike habit years ago and never learned to drive. This means my life is fucking miserable whenever I want to go anywhere here in the UK, and it's getting worse year on year.
Edit :damn good news about the rail investment at your end though. I've never been on a train when I've been to the US (apart from metros) but definitely want to give your system a go sometime.
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sanshee
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Edited Nov 05, 2009, 11:10
Re: Rail Economics
Nov 05, 2009, 10:39
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That fare remember is first class poncy stuff and from almost the very top to the very tip of the country.
And it sez:
*Someone wanting a first-class return would be likely to book a saver return in advance and pay £561."*
If you be so inclined.
Me and three other family members managed to travel return in all from just outside Edinburgh to Essex, all tubes etc included for just over £150.
We bought the friends and family ticket, which costs about £30, but ot more than paid for itself with the savings (was included in the £150 price).
And you get a huge discount all year!
The trains up here are always very clean, very modern, more or less reliable, but I was amazed to see some of the East Coast lines down there still have those doors you can open yourself!
Bring them back into public ownership, don't make the mistakes of the past, and we'll all be alot better off.
Hopefully we're getting out station back, there's talk. The buses are smelly horrible rustbuckets and dead expensive.
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Moon Cat
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Re: Rail Economics
Nov 05, 2009, 18:20
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It's a bit Russian roulette using the trains in the UK depending on where you're going. I actually enjoy using the Manchester to London line - it's mostly been pretty pleasant and comfortable. Other services on other routes can range from ok to pretty basic to say the least.
Same applies to some of the smaller routes that service the suburbs and smaller cities.
The pricing is bonkers though. I usually get pretty good deals, but at one point there were something like forty different tariffs for the London Manchester journey depending on when you booked, who with, what colour trousers you were wearing etc. Mental! Sometimes it has actually been cheaper to sniff out a first class deal than go for the standard depending on the time and how busy the train is!
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sanshee
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Re: Rail Economics
Nov 06, 2009, 11:13
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Yes, the fares are confusing. When I went internet shopping for our tickets last year the prices changed almost by the hour!
I read the the 'East Coast service' (which I bemoaned earlier) is going into public ownership, which sounds promising, if they do a good job.
I love travelling by train. I'm involved in a bit of 'mini canvassing' for our station to be reopened. Let's gee it up wherever we can.
:-)
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