Re: Brisbane Light Rail,Briztram - questions

[techscan@gte.net (Robert Coté)]

In article <36E3C706.19AD@ozemail.com.au>, neumannc@ozemail.com.au wrote:

} qldspeed wrote:
} > 
} > 
} > Read this and weep....
} > 
} > "Capital projects: Experience has demonstrated that there is no more
} > expensive way to improve transit than urban rail. Virtually all new
} > rail systems have attracted so few drivers from automobiles that it
} > would have been less expensive to lease each a new automobile every
} > two years. In spending more than necessary to implement urban rail,
} > opportunities for more effective improvement are forgone, to the
} > detriment of the greater number of new riders who would be served. Too
} > often urban rail is driven by a desire to become a "world class city,"
} > a civic pride that manifests itself in construction of publicly
} > financed convention centers, domed stadia and urban rail. To put it in
} > Freudian terms, urban rail in America has more to do with
} > "infrastructure envy" than transportation. "
} > 
} > from:
} > http://www.publicpurpose.com/21stcent.htm
} > 
} > This is exactly what Brisbane has been sucked into.
} 
} Oh dear! Here is someone who thinks that extreme right wing American
} paid lobbyists have credibility.  Consider the following points:
} 
} 1. "publicpurpose" is funded by the fuel, highway building and
} automobile lobbies in the US.

And?  Actually this is a condemnation when you think about it.  A group
of private concerns needs to fund studies that debunk publically funded
transit studies.

} 2. The Americans are so far behind the Europeans in sustainable (and
} practical) cities and their transport needs (ie quality of life) it is
} not funny.

Or Americans are so far ahead in transitioning away from the outmoded
city model that is is funny.

} 3."qldspeed" has no understanding of the political process in the US and
} its inherent "how do we get maximum federal dollars for employment (not
} practical development) in our town/state".

"qldspeed" seemed to get it straight and agree with you when he called
urban rail; "infrastructure envy."  You only insult because you object
to the conclusion not because you refute the content.

} 4. Like most of the right wing extremists in the US he cannot let facts
} get in the way of a good story.

That's real obvious from the post.  [sarcasm]
There is an extremeist here however.