4 ms·

I feel the article is talking about the top 10 percent in the city not the top 0.01% who can afford a helicopter. And these people would use the subway if it w

I feel the article is talking about the top 10 percent in the city not the top 0.01% who can afford a helicopter. And these people would use the subway if it would get them from point A to point B faster than a car.

yongjik 5y ago
Exactly. Talking about the top 0.01% is a distraction, because whatever they're doing won't move the needle a bit on transportation (unless they're blocking a highway construction or something). Don't think of billionaires. Think of your average Google engineer.
6510 5y ago
Faster and more comfortably. Back when trains were only for the rich (just after private cabins) they looked like high end restaurants. This gradually went away but I imagine a great breakfast to be a much more appealing activity than driving in rush hour. Decent seats, tables/desks and fast internet (without a portal page) so that one can plant down the laptop and get to work would also be more interesting than driving.
- herbst 5y ago
  This. The business lines here in Switzerland even sometimes have a Starbucks on board. And are comfortable and classy as fuck for only like 20 or 30% more cost than the cheap seats. I've had colleagues who would actually write down the travel time as work hours.
  - 6510 5y ago
    I don't like the idea but perhaps the service level needs to be adjusted more accurately to the audience. The rich are getting richer while everyone else is losing purchase power. I really don't like paying 2 or 3 times what a trip by car would cost. I'd prefer a 3rd class cabin with simple seats or non at all if it means I can travel where I like cheaply. Others might prefer to do more of a business class commute, at much higher rates, in comfort, with some actual service.
    - herbst 5y ago
      It doesn't cost 2-3 times as much. Especially as business traveller you pay a flat price lower than semi-nice car would cost per year. Many 'normal' travellers use this too. I often travel first class when I find tickets on sale. Sometimes I plan my travel around good ticket offers. 6.5 hour train ride first class for 30€ is a thing. Normal price is ~€100. Gas would be about 60€ so it is cheaper anyway as soon as you are two people.
cafard 5y ago
I assume that our household is in the top 10 percent in our city. I ride the bus because it is more convenient and better for my temper. It is also less expensive, by about $75/week.

yongjik 5y ago

Exactly. Talking about the top 0.01% is a distraction, because whatever they're doing won't move the needle a bit on transportation (unless they're blocking a highway construction or something). Don't think of billionaires. Think of your average Google engineer.

6510 5y ago

Faster and more comfortably. Back when trains were only for the rich (just after private cabins) they looked like high end restaurants. This gradually went away but I imagine a great breakfast to be a much more appealing activity than driving in rush hour. Decent seats, tables/desks and fast internet (without a portal page) so that one can plant down the laptop and get to work would also be more interesting than driving.

herbst 5y ago
This. The business lines here in Switzerland even sometimes have a Starbucks on board. And are comfortable and classy as fuck for only like 20 or 30% more cost than the cheap seats. I've had colleagues who would actually write down the travel time as work hours.
- 6510 5y ago
  I don't like the idea but perhaps the service level needs to be adjusted more accurately to the audience. The rich are getting richer while everyone else is losing purchase power. I really don't like paying 2 or 3 times what a trip by car would cost. I'd prefer a 3rd class cabin with simple seats or non at all if it means I can travel where I like cheaply. Others might prefer to do more of a business class commute, at much higher rates, in comfort, with some actual service.
  - herbst 5y ago
    It doesn't cost 2-3 times as much. Especially as business traveller you pay a flat price lower than semi-nice car would cost per year. Many 'normal' travellers use this too. I often travel first class when I find tickets on sale. Sometimes I plan my travel around good ticket offers. 6.5 hour train ride first class for 30€ is a thing. Normal price is ~€100. Gas would be about 60€ so it is cheaper anyway as soon as you are two people.

cafard 5y ago

I assume that our household is in the top 10 percent in our city. I ride the bus because it is more convenient and better for my temper. It is also less expensive, by about $75/week.