Ditch that car, hop a train (or bus)

Ditch that car, hop a train

As the price of gas soars, more and more commuters are leaving their cars in the garage and boarding the train.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/12/news/economy/dumping_the_gas_pump_chernoff/index.htm?postversion=2008051310

Here is a nice safe story concerning Americans realizing that they can save lots of money by utilizing public transportation. 

As if this is some sort of EUREKA moment, when it fact Europe may be looking at us as if it's more of a DUH moment.

Are we that out of touch with the rest of the world?

I've been telecommuting for the past 4 and a half years.

I poop green.

Detroilet should make a car that runs on regular again. Just to put the country on it's ear.

Justin - A Minnesota Star Citizen:

I've been telecommuting for the past 4 and a half years.

I poop green.

That's awesome and is actually something that could be more the norm in the coming futur for many positions. 

I did a report for my Business Management Class concerning FLEX Hours and telecommuting.  It seems we trail Europe in those regards as well. 

I hope someday we can be as great as Europe.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_density

GOOTS:

I hope someday we can be as great as Europe.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_density

So you are saying that Europe is ahead of the game on telecommuting as well as utilizing public transtportation because they have a higher population density?  

That's true Goots, look at NYC, a lot of people do not drive cars there because the expense is so great in comparison to the subway and cabs.  Thus some of America "gets it", what I'm asking is why, if this has been a problem solver in Europe, Japan and in the denser US cities why haven't we been planning ahead versus throwing more and more money into maintaining asphalt for cars?

It's not because we are evil and it is not because we are stupid

GOOTS:

I hope someday we can be as great as Europe.

 THE FINAL COUNTDOWN DOO DOD,  DIT DIT DIT DEE DOOO

 You hippies...

All I know is that countries like Japan and many in Europe as well as our bigger cities here at home have utilized public transportation. 

On the other hand many people that have not and are now more forced to come off like they invented or discovered something new.

What I'm getting at with this is that I think its time that we start investing in a infrastructure that is more focused on Public Transportation versus individual.

I truly believe that individual forms of transportation are a passing fad and are limited in their sustainability. 

Would anyone disagree?

 But what about sweet motorcycles and rollerskates?!

 Rollerskates are always welcome and so are motorcycles, if you can afford one and the gas in the years to come.  This not a ban or an outlawing of cars of any kind. 

This is would be a fading out of money for roads and adding lanes to HWYS and a steady influx of money for trains, light rail, etc.............

I think this would a good idea on many levels:

1. Lower or for many, nonexistent car insurance payments, car payments, repos, debt, etc.....thus more money for other things like wars.

2. Steady drop in DWI's which will save us thousands in tax dollars as well as lives.

3. Lessen our dependence on foreign oil if we can get nuclear power and local coal to fuel the trains.  We dump the waste in ANWR just to appease the republicans. 

4. Less stress due to road rage and managing all those bills

5. Think of all the practice spaces that would open up if people no longer needed to keep their cars in ther garage?

Toodles I don't know how you survive in Minnesota without a car.  Our public transit sucks.  Granted, I do live in a suburb but even when I didn't it was a major pain in the ass not having a car.

It's still cheaper and faster for me to drive to work.  Bus: $2.75 and over an hour each way.  Car: about $2 and 20 minutes each way.

But I am taking the Amtrak to Minot this summer to save a couple bucks.  Well, I might.

Toodles:

 Rollerskates are always welcome and so are motorcycles, if you can afford one and the gas in the years to come.  This not a ban or an outlawing of cars of any kind. 

This is would be a fading out of money for roads and adding lanes to HWYS and a steady influx of money for trains, light rail, etc.............

I think this would a good idea on many levels:

1. Lower or for many, nonexistent car insurance payments, car payments, repos, debt, etc.....thus more money for other things like wars.

2. Steady drop in DWI's which will save us thousands in tax dollars as well as lives.

3. Lessen our dependence on foreign oil if we can get nuclear power and local coal to fuel the trains.  We dump the waste in ANWR just to appease the republicans. 

4. Less stress due to road rage and managing all those bills

5. Think of all the practice spaces that would open up if people no longer needed to keep their cars in ther garage?

6.  Saving tons of water and money on things like soap.  When you ride the bus you get to stop bathing.

RockinChica78:

Toodles:

 Rollerskates are always welcome and so are motorcycles, if you can afford one and the gas in the years to come.  This not a ban or an outlawing of cars of any kind. 

This is would be a fading out of money for roads and adding lanes to HWYS and a steady influx of money for trains, light rail, etc.............

I think this would a good idea on many levels:

1. Lower or for many, nonexistent car insurance payments, car payments, repos, debt, etc.....thus more money for other things like wars.

2. Steady drop in DWI's which will save us thousands in tax dollars as well as lives.

3. Lessen our dependence on foreign oil if we can get nuclear power and local coal to fuel the trains.  We dump the waste in ANWR just to appease the republicans. 

4. Less stress due to road rage and managing all those bills

5. Think of all the practice spaces that would open up if people no longer needed to keep their cars in ther garage?

6.  Saving tons of water and money on things like soap.  When you ride the bus you get to stop bathing.

 

 HA HA that is priceless.   This is a gradual switch, of course this wouldn't work with our current network but it is possible,

I survive just fine without driving  I do agree that our society is addicted to cars and they are valued here more than they are in other places and because of that attachement it may never see the light of day.

I just thought it would be fun to talk about.

I live in Golden Valley. I work in Burnsville and New Hope. I have taken the bus since October. 

I save about $180 a month with taking the bus. I get to relax, read and reply to emails while bussing. I can catch a quick nap if I need. I walk more but that's good because I wouldn't if I drove. It's good for ya. I can bring my bike if I choose.

If I can bus to Burnsville and back, 5 days a week, from a NW suburb, the transit system isn't that bad. Just my personal opinion.

Toodles:

 

GOOTS:

I hope someday we can be as great as Europe.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_density

 

That's true Goots, look at NYC, a lot of people do not drive cars there because the expense is so great in comparison to the subway and cabs.  Thus some of America "gets it", what I'm asking is why, if this has been a problem solver in Europe, Japan and in the denser US cities why haven't we been planning ahead versus throwing more and more money into maintaining asphalt for cars?

 

 

GOOTS:

Toodles:

 

GOOTS:

I hope someday we can be as great as Europe.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_density

 

That's true Goots, look at NYC, a lot of people do not drive cars there because the expense is so great in comparison to the subway and cabs.  Thus some of America "gets it", what I'm asking is why, if this has been a problem solver in Europe, Japan and in the denser US cities why haven't we been planning ahead versus throwing more and more money into maintaining asphalt for cars?

 

 

 

There are no worng answers Goots so if you have something to say, just say it.  You are more than likely right.

Mass transit works better in denser population centers. 

For example:  You can't have mass transit in Webster, ND.  But it works very well in Tokyo.  We're somewhere in-between, hence little mass transit.  As the metro becomes more dense we will have more mass transit as it becomes more feasible.  Europe doesn't "get it" better, they simply have a lot of people in close proximity.  More people likely traveling from the same place to the same place at the same time.

GOOTS:

Mass transit works better in denser population centers. 

 

For example:  You can't have mass transit in Webster, ND.  But it works very well in Tokyo.  We're somewhere in-between, hence little mass transit.  As the metro becomes more dense we will have more mass transit as it becomes more feasible.  Europe doesn't "get it" better, they simply have a lot of people in close proximity.  More people likely traveling from the same place to the same place at the same time.

True I agree that this is the case but even some of our denses metro areas in the US do not compare to the systems that sustain Europes mass transit systems.  The streetcar scandal of the 1950's shows that automobile manufacturers saw mass transit as a threat and actually physically dismantled it. 

You are missing the point.  Did you read the article?   These are people that live in the state of NY that has a density 100 tuimes that of France.  Here they are acting like they are just now "getting it".

Where our European counterparts have been ahead of the same game.

RockinChica78:

It's still cheaper and faster for me to drive to work.  Bus: $2.75 and over an hour each way.  Car: about $2 and 20 minutes each way.

Is that $2 just an estimate for how much gas you use? Are you including your car payments, insurance, and vehicle maintanence in that number? If not, then that $0.75 disappears quickly.

My guess is that I pay about $9 or more per day to use my car.

We pay a lot for convenience and time.