3 ms·
it will be more interesting if we ever get down the costs of energy, then we can focus on really fast tech. its also worth noting that trains between philadelp
by autokad 7y ago
it will be more interesting if we ever get down the costs of energy, then we can focus on really fast tech. its also worth noting that trains between philadelphia and nyc (Acela Express) go ~135-165 mph.
if it takes 6 hours and ~ 450$ to get from nyc to sf, it would be more revolutionary to reduce the cost by 50% than than cut the time in half I think.
- dmix 7y agoWhy are train tickets so expensive? I get long distances but it always seemed so expensive to me. For example I could go between Toronto-MTL by bus for $20-30 but by train its $100-120.
- nkoren 7y agoMany reasons, but for a start, the roads are much more subsidized than the rails are.
- snowwindwaves 7y agoFreight pays better than passengers. They don't want passengers. They might be obligated to maintain passenger service.
- jazzyjackson 7y agoIt's a good question, but having seen bus upkeep compared to train upkeep, it seems like it takes a lot more labor to keep a train moving. Might have something to do with how expensive replacement parts are. Bus engines are of course highly commoditized, where as a lot of trainsets are one-off manufactures, maybe replacement parts have to be special ordered? Just speculating.
- stuaxo 7y agoI'm guessing the average speed is lower due to sharp curves?
- jazzyjackson 7y agoThat and just the condition of the tracks. Same problem as the NYC subway -- everything is 100 years old, but when can you stop train service to replace it?