Private transport companies are typically under crushing regulations
dictating when, where, and how they may (or MUST) offer service, what sort
of vehicles they may (or may NOT, or MUST use), and how much (or how
little) they can charge.

When faced with rigid rules like that, it's no wonder they go out of
business, or end up surviving on subsidies.

On 3/30/06 7:23 AM, in article Xns97965580724D9tegger@207.14.113.17,

I don't buy that argument.  Where I came from (Chicago 'burbs), the local
private mass transportation companies all died natural deaths in the '70s
when everybody started driving themselves. Ridership went down below
profitable levels and that was it.

The regional government transit monopolies that we saw (and continue to see
in many places) were started because the numbers didn't add up and the
citizens demanded busses anyway, not because of some insidious government
plot.  When no one rode those busses either, mass transit simply went away
in the smaller towns.

I think if you could demonstrate a viable business model for mass transit,
you would have some.

If governments weren't obsessed with outlawing private companies from
offering mass transit, and weren't so obsessed with legislating transit
monopolies for themselves, we might see more mass transit so you wouldn't
spill your drink.

A couple of years ago we had an example of this bizarre government mindset
at work in my community. As a result, we still have no mass transit of any
kind.

HUH? Ok here goes my random babbling:

In my family we have three coffee drinkers. When the kids were younger
I was the only one but they started as they got older (one is a Junior
in HS and one is just out of college). I pick up a cup of coffee on my
way home and drink it with a straw because the roads have many potholes
in them and don't like to get coffee on my clothes. My commute is 7
miles.

If I lived in a large city with mass transit, I might bring a thermos
with me so I can refill my cup while commuting.
Remco

(I always wanted to get that off my chest and since we're telling
random stories, this seemed like a good time to do it :)

In my family, we have one car for 4 licensed drivers.  We brought up our
children cycling, and now that they're older (one is a Junior in
High School and the other is a Freshman in college), they have continued
the good habit.  I commute by bicycle to work year round, regardless of
weather, unless the roads are treacherous.  My commute is 8 miles.

Nowadays, if I lived in a large city with mass transit, I would combine
mass transit with a nice folding bicycle.
Jim Gagnepain
http://home.comcast.net/~oil_free_and_happy/