Study: Public transit may not be as 'green' as you think

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

But the question is, is public transportation cheaper than private transportation.

No, the only real question is personal preference. We can talk cost till we're blue in the face but most people won't do their lesser preferred option unless the cost savings is high. So for our situation, we prefer our cars for certain things and our train for others. I explained it in detail in the post you replied to, so I will not repeat.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

But the question is, is public transportation cheaper than private transportation.

No, the only real question is personal preference. We can talk cost till we're blue in the face but most people won't do their lesser preferred option unless the cost savings is high. So for our situation, we prefer our cars for certain things and our train for others. I explained it in detail in the post you replied to, so I will not repeat.

You have a train? Wow.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

But the question is, is public transportation cheaper than private transportation.

No, the only real question is personal preference. We can talk cost till we're blue in the face but most people won't do their lesser preferred option unless the cost savings is high. So for our situation, we prefer our cars for certain things and our train for others. I explained it in detail in the post you replied to, so I will not repeat.

You have a train? Wow.

Yea and it's mine!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

But the question is, is public transportation cheaper than private transportation.

No, the only real question is personal preference. We can talk cost till we're blue in the face but most people won't do their lesser preferred option unless the cost savings is high. So for our situation, we prefer our cars for certain things and our train for others. I explained it in detail in the post you replied to, so I will not repeat.

You have a train? Wow.

Yea and it's mine!

That's mighty impressive.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I know. I bought it when I realized I would never measure up to Eric.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I know. I bought it when I realized I would never measure up to Eric.

You are a wise man indeed.

[Texanadian 10]

I wonder if their study takes into account that typical automobile commuters spend much of their time idling their engines stuck in traffic on congested freeways and other traffic arteries. Even if your SUV is crammed to the gills with passengers, but you spend anywhere from 20-50% of your commute time just breathing fumes in stop & go traffic, I can't imagine that that is "efficient". In contrast rail based transport has rights of way along its tracks and (barring signal failures) can motor along.

Ahhh, but your car is turned off when you're not driving it. The rail, subway, skytrains run all day and night even if there are no passengers. A metro rail car weighs about 100,000 lbs. Not that efficient unless they're packed like sardines.

Rail may not have traffic to deal with like cars. But on the other hand, it has to stop over and over along the way. But I do know what you mean. I've taken skytrain into Vancouver from the suburbs and smiled as I see gridlock down below. Meanwhile we're zipping along at 50 mph.

Edited June 9, 2009 by Texanadian