Why cant this country,U S A,build an outstanding mass transit rail system?

Question

it would be nice to get on the train & sit down & let someone else do the driving.This would cost a fortune "true" but we have already spent billions of dollars on prisons,wars,(we have not always been the good guys)corruption & damage to the enviorment to pay for such a system.Just think of the productive jobs this would create & the safe traveling across country.It would take a lot of work but its a plan i think this country should look at.We could use diesel electric to power the system wind power in areas where it can be used effectively in conjunction with the diesel electric.What do you think?

Answer 1

Trains would be too slow in most of this country.  We can drive just about anywhere we want (with the exception of the northeast) faster than any train can take us.  If we go cross country - fly.

My city - Memphis - is trying to get a light rail line to the airport.  There is no way I would take public transportation anywhere in this city.  Its unreliable, dangerous, and slow.  I used it for about a week when my car was in the shop...never again.  However I have been in some cities that had excellent rail systems (Chicago, Boston, DC).

Answer 2

unlike many countries the USA is very large, the cost of building and operating such a system would be in the trillions of dollars and would take 50 - 75 years to complete

Answer 3

The answer is simple; government money is not prioritized, therefore leaving us to pay; instead of helping us such as giving us a beneficial commuting system, our money is spent on war and defense technology while our oil is sold overseas, leaving us to have to pay $95 a barrel.

If you're fortunate, we can always ride a bike.

Answer 4

country is too big and people want the freedom to come and go as they please...if u want mass trans move to NY city or boston

Answer 5

It's not that it can't be built, at one time we had it, but that no one will use it. It isn't very smart to build and operate something no one uses. When I was a kid I rode from Knoxville, TN to Oklahoma City to spend the summers with my grandparents. The passenger cars even then, late 40's early 50's were nearly empty. I have ridden trains all over Japan and the trains, for the most part, are nearly full. Even so they barely break even or lose money on the system year after year and the tickets are not cheap.

Answer 6

Because they are addicted to SUV's, trucks and multiple vehicles and driving where they want and where they want. They refuse to acknowledge that the U.S. consumes more fuel than anywhere else in the world yet whine about the price of fuel. I believe that the majority of U.S. drivers haven't travelled overseas to experience what other peoples of the world pay to drive a personal vehicle or better yet to use public transportation. In the U.S. public transportation seems to be a dirty word. They have yet to experience the efficiency and convenience of jumping on board a train and being let off at a location that is an easy walk to get to there destination. Oh wait, have you ever noticed those U.S. people that will drive or idle their vehicles endlessly to obtain a parking spot close to the store/shop that they want to spend time & $ in?