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That depends how many people you need to move and how often you need to move them. Rail has a high capital cost, but lower operating cost due to the fact that
by Johnny555 9y ago
That depends how many people you need to move and how often you need to move them.
Rail has a high capital cost, but lower operating cost due to the fact that a single engineer (and maybe a conductor) can run a 2000 passenger train while a bus driver carries 50 - 100 people so you only need about 1/20th the number of operators.
Another drawback of buses on the road is that unless they have dedicated lanes, they are stuck in the same traffic as cars.
BRT kind of blurs the gap between the two.
- tabeth 9y agoThese are excellent points, but I reckon boring tunnels, dedicated lanes and self driving can mitigate the disadvantages you mention.
- Balero 9y ago> Boring tunnles >> high capital cost Apart from this one?
- innocenat 9y agoSteel-on-Steel rail are generally also most energy efficient compared to rubber-tyred vehicle. And IIRC, one of the most expensive part of rail building is the dedicated right of way, so if you are also doing that for self driving vehicle then might as well as go for rail (if there's demand, that is)
- Pxtl 9y agoBRT in the English speaking world is hamstrung by the BRT creep as drivers demand their lanes back. In Latin America, BRT is proven out as a cost-effective approach to mass transit. Rail mainly offers comfort, a small incremental improvement in speed, lower manpower costs for drivers (offset by the massive capital costs) and greener running. Comfort and speed should not be underestimated. There's a reason middle class people avoid buses.
- tbihl 9y agoBuses are great for getting people to the train, but probably only provided that the bus is a no- or low-cost addition to the train pass or fare. And middle class people will absolutely take buses that come reliably and frequently, especially once you get a plurality of them to feel comfortable together. Just like gentrifying a neighborhood.
- adrianN 9y agoAre you sure that the operating costs are lower? Buses share the infrastructure maintenance costs with all other road users, whereas train infrastructure is extremely expensive and the maintenance has to be paid for by the train companies alone.