And We Have Amtrak
China is looking into Extending the world's first operating Maglev system, an ultrafast train that travels 430 kph [267mph]. Initially, the high cost of tickets was detracting riders.
Meanwhile, the united states is still struggling with Amtrak. The "high-speed" Acela trains running from DC to New York to Boston are still really slow and far too expensive. And there is not much talk of making Acela part of the national network soon.
At the same time, Air travel in the United states may have gotten cheaper, but Security seems to discouraging travels as patdowns become groping and some travel times are doubled by security lines.
Why is Maglev not in the United States?
The technology China used for its Maglev comes from Germany, so its not like the communists are controlling it. Maglev technology could see a reduction in cost if used on a large scale, and it could enourage economic growth while reducing things like traffic congestion.
For instance, Atlantic City is 130 miles from New York; at 260 mph, the two and a half hour car trip along the crowded NJ parkway would become a half hour commute for gambling, drinking, womanizing, and sinning. Isn't that what New Yorkers want?
Easton PA is 58 miles from New York. Thousands of commuters clog i-78 everyday coming from Easton and places further West to work since housing is much more affordable. The commute can take up to 2 hours by car. By Maglev, the commute could take as little as 20 minutes. And you thought Brooklyn was a convient place to live without New York city prices.
A few years back, New Jersey was actually being considered as a test bed for one of the first Maglev tracks. Unfortunately, state budgetary concerns prevented its construction. This of course is the problem here: no one wants to spend the money on new technology.
So instead we'll continue taking the China town bus to Boston.
Meanwhile, the united states is still struggling with Amtrak. The "high-speed" Acela trains running from DC to New York to Boston are still really slow and far too expensive. And there is not much talk of making Acela part of the national network soon.
At the same time, Air travel in the United states may have gotten cheaper, but Security seems to discouraging travels as patdowns become groping and some travel times are doubled by security lines.
Why is Maglev not in the United States?
The technology China used for its Maglev comes from Germany, so its not like the communists are controlling it. Maglev technology could see a reduction in cost if used on a large scale, and it could enourage economic growth while reducing things like traffic congestion.
For instance, Atlantic City is 130 miles from New York; at 260 mph, the two and a half hour car trip along the crowded NJ parkway would become a half hour commute for gambling, drinking, womanizing, and sinning. Isn't that what New Yorkers want?
Easton PA is 58 miles from New York. Thousands of commuters clog i-78 everyday coming from Easton and places further West to work since housing is much more affordable. The commute can take up to 2 hours by car. By Maglev, the commute could take as little as 20 minutes. And you thought Brooklyn was a convient place to live without New York city prices.
A few years back, New Jersey was actually being considered as a test bed for one of the first Maglev tracks. Unfortunately, state budgetary concerns prevented its construction. This of course is the problem here: no one wants to spend the money on new technology.
So instead we'll continue taking the China town bus to Boston.
Labels: Technology
2 Comments:
Cost of round trip ACELA ticket to Boston: $130
Travel time, 3.5 hours
Cost of round trip plane ticket to Boston: $200
Travel time, 38 minutes
ACELA is teh suck
Even better: China Town bus - $15 4.5 hours.
[rumor has it the other bus lines have met that price too]
So indeed, wtf is Acela thinking.
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