tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097293516411888153.post5584726597439393212..comments2023-12-04T10:02:29.445-06:00Comments on Mark's China Blog: High-Speed Train DevelopmentMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00967364257656897151noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097293516411888153.post-72298080949970737042010-03-17T05:39:24.346-05:002010-03-17T05:39:24.346-05:00You say that your time is too precious, but what a...You say that your time is too precious, but what about our natural resources? <br /><br />I agree with Hogfrog: "the only environmentally responsible way for China to solve its mass transit problem". At loco2travel we think that the development of high speed trains is a fantastic step towards green travel, and I am delighted that China is giving the rest of the world the kick it needs to question our reliance on flying. I wonder if the US can rise to the challenge.loco2travelhttp://loco2travel.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097293516411888153.post-52674553362303781932010-01-14T14:51:09.920-06:002010-01-14T14:51:09.920-06:00I love trains; I think the chugging along tracks r...I love trains; I think the chugging along tracks riverside watching the cities, towns and nature blur by is amazing, in a cozier bigger space than available on a plane flight. <br /><br />That said trains are often just not practical compared to other options. Case in point, target of stimulus dollars Chicago to Minneapolis route. I have taken this Amtrak train and currently it takes from around 5am leaving the Minneapolis area and arriving in Chicago's Union Station at approximately 5pm. Even with a higher speed train at the cost of many billions of tax payer dollars, the time could not possibly improve airplane ranges. Only one of these superfast ones or maglev Shanghai style could even approach it and they are even less financially feasible. A fare of several hundreds of dollars for a long train ride is just not comparable to a $69 dollar Southwest one way that gets you there in 1.5 hours. Security you say at the airport? Trains will have that one day as soon as one incident occurs.<br /><br />Any of these projects are market distortions, taking money from all taxpayers to divert to the preferences of some. Sure, I'd be happy with the Minnesota to Chicago train occasionally wasting a Saturday but not for many others, time is too precious.Taylor Onoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097293516411888153.post-69096022554171944632010-01-03T19:29:34.691-06:002010-01-03T19:29:34.691-06:00I agree, NPR is the best.
I see where the critici...I agree, NPR is the best.<br /><br />I see where the criticism on only catering to the wealthy comes in, but I would imagine that these trains would lighten the load on normal trains. As more and more Chinese are getting wealthy, more and more will be able to afford these high-speed rails.<br /><br />Sure, the percentage of people who can afford these new trains is small. But having been on packed cheaper trains before, any easing will be a great benefit.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00967364257656897151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4097293516411888153.post-78531708923353071752010-01-03T19:17:55.401-06:002010-01-03T19:17:55.401-06:00I love NPR as well and heard the same story today....I love NPR as well and heard the same story today. What impressed me the most is when the Chinese Engineer cited that it was the only environmentally responsible way for China to solve its mass transit problem due to the size of its population. China has justly gotten a lot of criticism over its environmental track record, but the positives should be pointed out as well.<br /><br />Also its nice to see China find its own way as it develops economic strength and not just act "western" and start mass producing airplanes.<br /><br />One of the criticisms is that these solutions really only cater to the wealthy and that migrant workers will still be forced into crammed trains to commute back and forth for holidays and work. A valid criticism, but at least the highspeed rails will ease the burden a bit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com