So maybe government is learning that gigantic mass-transit infrastructure projects are a complete waste. Need I cite Miami's Metromover? The projected ridership for Metromover was 240,000 daily passengers, though actual ridership is closer to 50,000. According to an old polysci textbook I have laying around, it would have been cheaper to buy each regular passenger a Rolls Royce instead of building Metromover.
For mass transit to work in the United States it needs to be affordable, comfortable, competitive in travel time, and include a network broad enough to supplant private auto transport.
As it stands I doubt the typical middle class commuter would pay a fare higher than their gas tab to ride the bus/monorail/whatever in tight quarters with others (savoring the body aromas, no doubt) and lengthening their commutes by a factor of 2 - not to mention they cannot travel to every destination they desire to go.
After all, why not use your car if you're already paying for depreciation, insurance, maintenance, & cetra? Driving a car has a high monthly overhead cost and a low marginal cost per mile driven, which encourages use of private transport.
Slashdot Mirror
For mass transit to work in the United States it needs to be affordable, comfortable, competitive in travel time, and include a network broad enough to supplant private auto transport.
As it stands I doubt the typical middle class commuter would pay a fare higher than their gas tab to ride the bus/monorail/whatever in tight quarters with others (savoring the body aromas, no doubt) and lengthening their commutes by a factor of 2 - not to mention they cannot travel to every destination they desire to go.
After all, why not use your car if you're already paying for depreciation, insurance, maintenance, & cetra? Driving a car has a high monthly overhead cost and a low marginal cost per mile driven, which encourages use of private transport.