Re: Amtrak Horror


"Keith W" <keithnospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:dq2f0e$lod$1$8300dec7@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> "Bill in Schenectady" <billnech@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:y1%wf.3511$Ca4.2999@xxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>
>>
>> The amount of oil in the world is fixed. Yes, as price goes up, they
>> will develop supplies that are not yet profitable. But, don't you see,
>> that leads to increased prices for everyone. I'm not saying that the gas
>> pumps will run dry tomorrow...only that the price will continue to rise
>> and will price many people out of the car based economy. Combine that
>> with a large probability of supply disruptions, and you'll really see
>> some "omygod" scenarios.
>>
>
> Perhaps but cars wont disappear, there usage pattern will alter.
>
>>> Are prices going to rise? Of course. A lot? Probably, but over a
>>> period of time. Will people respond to this by changing their
>>> transportation options? Surely.
>>
>> As I've been arguing. People will change their options. Many people
>> will conclude that they can no longer live 40 miles from work. I was
>> just having this discussion with my wife. She thinks that it will spike
>> suddenly in fits, as it did last fall. I thought it would go up
>> steadily...perhaps 50 cents a gallon per year. I think the reality will
>> be someplace in between.
>
> If you want to see what happens when gas reaches $6 per gallon
> look at western Europe and Japan. There are more cars here
> than ever before, the difference is that the latest car adverts
> are for smaller diesel engined vehicles doing 60mpg
>
> This is coupled with out of town park and ride sites and better
> public transport to avoid people cominng into cities
>
> As for suburbs they arose LONG before the car became the
> favoured form of transport. The London suburbs grew uo
> along the railway lines as did those for NYC
>
> Keith

The early suburbs were either playground for the rich, or basically towns
outside the cities linked by good transportation. Today's U.S. suburbs are
immense sprawling entities dependent on the automobile. Much of that will
not be sustainable with $6 to $10 a gallon gas.

I do hope that there will be demand for better mass transit and more park
and rides. I think that's necessary. I've had a debate with my own
employer about liberalizing their car pooling policies with respect to
access to the much sought after parking garage (as opposed to the remote
parking lot) in order to help foster more car pooling; and to liberalize
their tele-commuting policies. In my job, I can't telecommute every day,
but once or twice a week would certainly work out.

I think the inner suburbs will do fine. It's those country estates, 50 or
miles out, that will have their problems...particularly the places that lack
the density to support mass transit and park and ride options.

I do think our car market will change drastically in the short term and, as
usual, Detroit will be the last to hear about it.

I also think that people will place a higher value on living closer to their
work destinations and that the market for the far off McMansions will drop.

One thing I know: the 33% annual oil price hikes of the last two years will
only continue. And this is compounded by the fact that natural gas is also
in short supply.



.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Page layout for tubie pages on the net Re: Deep Space 845 55WSETamps.
    ... I dont know of any Ausy bikes that last the Brittish weather. ... Dont forget all the Formula 1 cars are built in England. ... more useful than better from anything made in the UK at the price. ... I got an ex NSW Police Dept side car which had a width to take two ...
    (rec.audio.tubes)
  • Re: Mac takes bite out of Windows
    ... The point is that I do not buy on price. ... Porsche-philes don't pay them any mind), showing-off in a car doesn't ... realize that restoration costs for a car with no ... >>jibe with your ideas of Conservatism, ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
  • Re: Have my insurance company commited fraud?
    ... dishonesty against his insurer! ... gave them the price from LRO Magazine as being independent, ... I accept my car doesn't appear in the CAP guide they prefer to use, ... their statement that these are 'representative' of mine, and refuse to ...
    (uk.legal)
  • Re: Atheism is Unnatural?
    ... Theists can?t prove that God exists. ... I can help you choose the right device to your car. ... If ECU, does it have OBD-II interface Port? ... Our Price: $474.95 ...
    (rec.arts.sf.written)