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Many areas of the USA have population densities entirely comparable with large parts of Europe. The upper-central midwest (eastern MN, WI, IL, IA) is a good exa
by PaulDavisThe1st 2y ago
Many areas of the USA have population densities entirely comparable with large parts of Europe. The upper-central midwest (eastern MN, WI, IL, IA) is a good example - it compares favorably to most of France or Germany.
This is another example of how it is almost always a mistake to use a unitary description of anything when it comes to the USA. Yes, certainly where I live (New Mexico), population density is extremely low and long-haul rail transportation likely makes little sense. But talk about that as if it applies to "the united states" is a category error.
- hnlmorg 2y agoIt’s common to travel between European counties by rail instead of plane. In fact I’ve done this myself.
- PaulDavisThe1st 2y agoIn the US southwest, it's not the distance, it's the very small numbers of people who are moving around that is the problem.
- hnlmorg 2y agoSorry, I meant to reply to the person before you about how people chose to fly rather than go by rail.
- SpecialistK 2y agoNot to mention the other issue: even if it's easy to get into another city via rail, how do you get from the train station to your final destination? Very few cities have public transit anywhere close to NYC's. Of course flying has the same issue, but the airport has a car rental desk. Or avoid that entirely by driving your own car.
- hnlmorg 2y agoThis is another part of infrastructure Europe generally does better: inner city public transport. There are some European cities that are still car dominated, however quiet a few are easier to navigate via public transport and some have even gone as far as entirely banning private cars from the city centre.
- PaulDavisThe1st 2y agoI remember these things called taxis. But I'm an old, and I think they've been replaced by something called "Ubers" and "Lyfts". But don't mind me ...
- SpecialistK 2y agoWhich are expensive.
- shiroiushi 2y agoIt's fairly common, but even in Europe, it's frequently cheaper to fly than to take a train, unfortunately. I would not point to Europe as a place that does passenger rail extremely well; that honor goes to Japan. Europe might be better than the US at it, but that's not saying much.