Pains, Trains, And Automobiles
Keep the car parked--experts say gridlock is harmful to mental health (that's right, another reason to visit the eco-shrink). Perhaps it is mental anguish (or the pain of high fuel costs) that's driving Americans to consider public transportation. According to Time, bus and train ridership has reached record levels. Amtrak reports that its ridership has risen 12.3 percent since last year. What would it take to convince more people to embrace the train? Sierra contributor Bill McKibben advocates Theodore Kheel's radical proposal: charge automobile drivers entering Manhattan and use the revenue to fund free subway and bus rides for all New Yorkers.
--D.W.
Sources: Time, New York Times, Plenty, L.A. Times
I love my suv.I will not change my driving habits due to high gas prices. we stop spending exta money on going out such as restaurants,movies,clubs.Let the government suffer with less sales taxes!I live in New Orleans,buisness are starting to close.Broadway South will never happen because locals have no money!
Posted by: zap Louisiana | June 14, 2008 at 01:54 PM
p.s save energy stop the use of computers!
Posted by: zap Louisiana | June 14, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Going green means stealing the green from the poor mans pocket!Just like the democrats did with cigeretts and lumber!
Posted by: zap Louisiana | June 15, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I feel that ways to get more people to ride trains is to include benefits such as gifts and other tactics that could bring more people to go on it like reducing taxes and much more.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 16, 2008 at 01:41 PM
save more energy than curly light bulbs,Tax all computer use!
Posted by: zap Louisiana | June 16, 2008 at 02:20 PM
For much of the country riding a train is not a possibility.It is cars or nothing! Recently I drove across the US. It was an eye-opening experience in these days of 4 dollar gasoline. My ride is a 1979 242 Volvo. I have done the repairs and maintenance necessary to maximize fuel economy. I have been experimenting to find the most practical and fuel conserving driving practice. With current prevailing conditions, 60-65 mph delivered a round-trip average of 27.2 mpg for some 8200 miles. People familiar with these cars usually do not get mileage as good.
The point of this is that I was trying to drive as conservative as is practical and seeing that most drivers do not. I have also noticed that there may be fewer vehicles on the road and that some large semi-trucks seem to be traveling at lower speeds. The worst offenders seemed to be the drivers of 4x4 Dodge Ram pickup trucks pulling large trailers. These drivers must be rich or don't care.
I think that a national speed limit of 65 mph such as the states of Illinois and Ohio have should be the rule for the country. A national limit of 55 like we had in the 70's would probably be resisted. 65 seems better and it would certainly lower overall fuel consumption. As I have read and observed some large trucking companies now require their drivers to slow down to conserve fuel.
This is a step that could be immediate and could really reduce fuel consumption.
Posted by: james koger | June 18, 2008 at 09:41 AM