Comments on: high-speed government (this is not about the budget)

By: Young

Young — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:35:22 +0000

I ride the BART more and more often for obvious reasons. I saw a guy using a mouse(?) on his lap with a notebook the other day and am just curious if anyone knows what that may be? I would like to use my notebook during the ride, if that is convenient (for me) and not too intrusive (for others.)

Thanks in advance.

By: Capricious Commuter

Capricious Commuter — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:21:40 +0000

And Martin, I’m sorry I didn’t get around to saying hi today and asking, just what was in that picture you showed the CHSRA board today? A trench?

I was kind of surprised you didn’t use up even half of your allotted three minutes. Has it all been said already, or was this just an exercise in futility, in your opinion?

By: Capricious Commuter

Capricious Commuter — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:16:59 +0000

So what you’re saying is what high-speed rail needs is some company from Bangalore to step in?

By: Reedman

Reedman — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:01 +0000

The reason the government builds rail lines is simple: only the government can force people to sell a 100 foot wide by 800 mile uninterrupted piece of land. The reason the government builds airports is: only the government is allowed to make that much noise. In a less litigious society like India, there are private airports. The main airport of the high tech capital of India (Bangalore) is owned by HAL (India’s equivalent to Northrop or McDonnell). The political friction of all those landing fees not going into government coffers and not to government employees caused a new public airport to be built – up to a three hour drive from parts of Bangalore notwithstanding.

By: murphstahoe

murphstahoe — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:55:03 +0000

http://www.teslamotors.com/buy/resyourcar.php

Base price $109,000
Availability – 12 months.

Bass-o-Matic!!!

By: Capricious Commuter

Capricious Commuter — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 02:47:51 +0000

Sorry, Martin, but I’m with Robert on this one. High-speed rail is not a Bass-o-Matic.

By: Robert Cruickshank

Robert Cruickshank — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:20:25 +0000

You have got to be joking. HSR is a “gadget”? You have to ignore over 40 years of success in Japan, nearly 30 years in France, over 15 in Spain – just to name a few examples – to call it a “gadget.” HSR is mainstream technology. Nothing gadget-like about it.

But then the HSR deniers have to deny such realities if they are to have a chance of convincing Californians a few wealthy peninsula homeowners are more important than the transportation needs of 36 million people.

By: david vartanoff

david vartanoff — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:09:26 +0000

of course we have the electric car tech Say Ford Ranger three times! That does not change the inherent land waste of millions of SOV cars NO MATTER HOW GREENWASHED taking up huge multilane freeways going forty miles from home to work.

As to HSR, the issue is similar, It is a huge energy waste to fly SFO-LAX or their subsidiaries. Beyond that the air traffic control, runway clogging, etc cry out for eliminating these short flights to use the capacity for routes where air IS the best option. As such, the undoubtedly bogus cost estimates are as irrelevant as the DOD or any other Federal pump priming ##. The real issue is the cost of not building this infrastructure.

By: DensityDuck

DensityDuck — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:55:10 +0000

Murph: Nope. The Tesla is real, and it is here, and it is a viable solution. The Volt is on the way. I understand that you very badly want HSR to be the only solution, but you can’t deny facts.

You’re complaining that the infrastructure doesn’t exist–well hell, which do you think is easier, installing electrical plugs near parking spaces or BUILDING AN 800-MILE TRAIN TRACK?

You “believe” that we lack the technology for electric cars. I do believe that the facts don’t support your belief.

By: david vartanoff

david vartanoff — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:22:45 +0000

Air France looking at HAR for short hops. 25% fuel differential
http://trains4america.wordpress.com/2008/07/06/air-france-considering-entering-hsr-business/