China to build high-speed rail link to Europe

[mawilson 2,133]

What's going to be really embarrassing is when AUS starts building a high speed network themselves.

A high-speed link to where? You're in the middle of nowhere.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Now there we go again. People promoting things that cost money, yet don't make money......

Rail = Fail now days.....

[Revenesque 2]

I thinks it's rather pathetic that US have aging Amtrak and old rusty trains, while Japan & Souh Korea boastss high speed bullet trains, China boasts high altitude trains...dang, even Bangkok got a nice skytrain.

[mawilson 2,133]

I thinks it's rather pathetic that US have aging Amtrak and old rusty trains, while Japan & Souh Korea boastss high speed bullet trains, China boasts high altitude trains...dang, even Bangkok got a nice skytrain.

Americans don't like trains. Americans don't like buses. Americans like CARS.

It's as simple as that.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I thinks it's rather pathetic that US have aging Amtrak and old rusty trains, while Japan & Souh Korea boastss high speed bullet trains, China boasts high altitude trains...dang, even Bangkok got a nice skytrain.

How's Canada's rail system?

[Revenesque 2]

Americans don't like trains. Americans don't like buses. Americans like CARS.

It's as simple as that.

No doubt! Big SUVs, Hummers...and now, high oil $ an economic recession damn brought the automobile industry to its knees.

How's Canada's rail system?

Don't know about Canada...but we got a sweet skytrain system in Vancouver.

[Ali G. 37]

Now there we go again. People promoting things that cost money, yet don't make money......

Rail = Fail now days.....

Maybe we should get rid of roads then. How about the military or schools?

One way or another, everything has a cost - yes even doing nothing. The reason people can drive big azz trucks here is because the gas tax is ridiculously low. Since the taxes are low and the actual user of the roads barely pay an excise, the roads are ridiculously shitty by first world stands, in many cases, by second world standards as well. Not only does this result in vehicles being damaged more frequently (repair costs) but it's also extremely dangerous. Hence the United States super high road toll rate.

Hence:

US Fatalities 2008: 34,017

AUS Fatalities 2008: 1,464

** US has 13.8 times Australia's population.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/saf.../pdf/rsr_04.pdf

http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

[MrsCat 6]

How's Canada's rail system?

The hobos like it just fine thank you.

[Ali G. 37]

Americans don't like trains. Americans don't like buses. Americans like CARS.

It's as simple as that.

I can see that, particularly in NYC. Most clearly have two or three cars there right?

Good luck trying to drive from NY to Boston or DC. Don't even mention flying..

Who said anything about getting rid of cars? Cars have their purpose, as does efficient high speed modern transit. Anyone who thinks that you can simply build more roads in a country of 305 million is deluding themselves. I'd like to see you build more roads in the NE corridor. I'll be right behind you with the bulldozer.

PS By the way, NYC has some of the crappiest pothole ridden bumpy roads I have driven on.

Edited March 10, 2010 by Booyah

[mawilson 2,133]

I can see that, particularly in NYC. Most clearly have two or three cars there right?

NYC is not USA. You're usually the first one to point it out whenever I mention anything about NYC.

Good luck trying to drive from NY to Boston or DC. Don't even mention flying..

Done it many times. What's the problem?

PS By the way, NYC has some of the crappiest pothole ridden bumpy roads I have driven on.

True

Cars have their purpose, as does efficient high speed modern transit.

I agree, but why do you think Amtrak is bankrupt? Trains are unpopular.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

No doubt! Big SUVs, Hummers...and now, high oil $ an economic recession damn brought the automobile industry to its knees.

Don't know about Canada...but we got a sweet skytrain system in Vancouver.

And I always thought that Vancouver was part of Canada.

[Revenesque 2]

And I always thought that Vancouver was part of Canada.

It is...but don't tell that to me

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I can see that, particularly in NYC. Most clearly have two or three cars there right?

Trains are very popular in certain parts of the country. Geographically small parts with huge economic impact.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Maybe we should get rid of roads then. How about the military or schools?

One way or another, everything has a cost - yes even doing nothing. The reason people can drive big azz trucks here is because the gas tax is ridiculously low. Since the taxes are low and the actual user of the roads barely pay an excise, the roads are ridiculously shitty by first world stands, in many cases, by second world standards as well. Not only does this result in vehicles being damaged more frequently (repair costs) but it's also extremely dangerous. Hence the United States super high road toll rate.

Hence:

US Fatalities 2008: 34,017

AUS Fatalities 2008: 1,464

** US has 13.8 times Australia's population.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/saf.../pdf/rsr_04.pdf

http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx

And how many more vehicles and miles driven?

[Ali G. 37]

And how many more vehicles and miles driven?

Dude are you actually going to sit there and pretend the US has good roads. Even you cannot be that self-centered.

Otherwise you could take that as saying certain people cannot drive for ######..

Edited March 11, 2010 by Booyah