2007-09-15 13:33:45 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
If you want an example of an efficient and all inclusive public transport system then go to somewhere in mainland Europe like Germany, France or Holland. Don't take the example of the UK with its decaying railways that are extortionately expensive to travel on for one thing and its public transport system which is rarely "joined up".
2007-09-15 13:45:31 · answer #1 · answered by PRH1 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm from the UK, and find it amusing that you call our system efficient!! It is inclusive however (apart from the prices...which are among the highest in the world!!).
I'd say that your health service would be a better place for you to focus first though. One thing about the UK that I am incredibly proud of is the National Health Service. It ain't perfect, but the idea of free healthcare for all should be at the heart of any great civilised society. The fact that the US was overrun by business interests and away from totally inclusive social care is a travesty.
2007-09-15 13:45:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
There are 2 main reasons:
1. Over the last 50 years or so, Congress and the state governments have chosen to invest heavily in freeways and roads, while spending very little on public transport. This is due to a number of factors, such as lobbying by oil companies that want to create demand for gas, etc.
2. The US is much less densely populated than Europe, so public transit is less feasible, especially in rural areas.
2007-09-15 16:24:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
For any Americans reading this question, it is a joke! It's not a serious question.
The British public transport system is slow, expensive, dirty and unreliable.
Buses often don't turn up, trains frequently get delayed due to snow or leaves on the track (yup, it's that bad!!) and our subway drivers often strike, because they feel the equivalent of $70,000 a year for 35 hours a week isn't enough.
Don't worry, our public transport system is a mess. At least the U.S. has a decent highway network, unlike Britain.
2007-09-15 21:40:23 · answer #4 · answered by Nightworks 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, if we were willing to spend about 30 billion dollars and the next 20 years on construction it could be done. The problem is no one would use it. Americans love their independence more than anything and taking a subway or elevated rail to buy furniture, food, visiting grandma or rushing your sick child to the ER at 1:00 am will never fly here. Our free market system is set up in such a way that if Americans ever want mass transportation you can bet someone will step in and fill the need much better and faster than the government can. And to the person that thinks our health system is inferior to the UK you better wake up...you all pay dearly for your health services in the form of massive taxes and substandard (by our standards anyway) health care. Ever needed an MRI? There are more MRI machines in the state of Florida than in the entire UK -- and the list is endless. Can our system be improved? Damn right it can. The idea that health care can bankrupt a family is insane but I wouldn't trade our QUALITY of care for any country in the world and socialized healthcare would wreck it.
2007-09-15 13:46:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
There are many reasons why the U.S. can't, and won't, build a public transportation system like that of the UK. Sorry, the U.S. simply isn't made for those modes of transportation.
2007-09-15 13:41:42 · answer #6 · answered by Ratchet 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Considering the difference in size, and population density, you woud be looking at adding millions of miles or roads and rails, at a cost probably higher than the economic output of the whole western world.
Why Coastcowboy feels it is necessary to bring health care into this thread I don't know, but he should know the average life expectancy of Britons and Canadians is higher than that of Americans.
2007-09-15 18:08:45 · answer #7 · answered by Fred C 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
when did the UK get an efficient transport network? this is news to me lol
2007-09-15 13:46:28 · answer #8 · answered by L 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Several reasons including the size of the country, the oil-auto-tire industries, and the fact that our government doesn't tax us at the rate of UK citizens.
2007-09-15 13:39:03 · answer #9 · answered by mommeof3 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Too much land between us. You'd have to get the entire population to move to a small state like Delaware, then it would be efficient.
2007-09-15 13:43:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋