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DixieGal · 06-13-2008, 09:56 AM

Nobody wants public transport in the US more than me, but even if a train system were to become possible - Amtrak is useless and doesn't count - then there is another infrastructure hurdle to meet: Urban Sprawl.

Say I were to somehow have bus service from my suburban home 11 miles outside of Bham, how would I get to work from the bus station? Our city buses are practically useless also, becuase they are old and stay broken down on the sides of the roads. The city is too spread out to walk from the station, which is located in a very bad part of the city. The city center is dead and scary, and businesses and homes are spreading farther afield every year.

Paris, on the other hand, is perfect for public transport. It is a big city, but everything is centered within the city. They spent a century getting the Metro just right, and have maintained it well. A person can go from point A to point B, and point B will be within walking distance of wherever you may need to go.

06-13-2008, 09:56 AM	#32
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Nobody wants public transport in the US more than me, but even if a train system were to become possible - Amtrak is useless and doesn't count - then there is another infrastructure hurdle to meet: *Urban Sprawl*. Say I were to somehow have bus service from my suburban home 11 miles outside of Bham, how would I get to work from the bus station? Our city buses are practically useless also, becuase they are old and stay broken down on the sides of the roads. The city is too spread out to walk from the station, which is located in a very bad part of the city. The city center is dead and scary, and businesses and homes are spreading farther afield every year. Paris, on the other hand, is perfect for public transport. It is a big city, but everything is centered within the city. They spent a century getting the Metro just right, and have maintained it well. A person can go from point A to point B, and point B will be within walking distance of wherever you may need to go.