Quote:
Originally Posted by Brupal
I’m hesitant to wade in,given how much flack I will inevitably receive but sometimes things need to be pointed out. You could build a train that started in Downtown Las Vegas (or even in North Las Vegas to serve some locals), and then run it along the strip, stopping about twenty times along the way while passengers with luggage struggle to board an increasingly crowded train and after about half an hour it would be ready to make its final leg to the airport and everyone would complain and say that they could just take their own Uber or cab and get to the airport without the crowding and hassle. The problem is those thousands of cabs have to deal with traffic lights and general congestion so it takes just as long as a train and costs comparatively more. So a hybrid solution is to offer everyone a more direct point to point form of transportation (ie from YOUR hotel with just YOUR luggage) at a cost lower than an Uber (yes Fuzz, I believe strongly that it would be easy to undercut Uber or cabs that charge $25 for a 10 mile trip)and by building dedicated tunnels you bypass the congestion of the surface system. There are plenty of things to object to, but can you not see the advantages as well? Claiming it can’t be done or will never work or will be slower and more expensive than projected is all so simple when it hasn’t even been rolled out. Let’s revisit this discussion a year from now and see how the reviews are after implementation. And by relieving much of the surface congestion, it will undoubtedly make it better for those who choose to continue to use the old system. Everyone benefits.
Surely enough of CP participants visit Las Vegas frequently to see that tunnels from various hotels to the airport is an IMPROVEMENT over what exists currently, no? What would YOU suggest that is better, keeping in mind the cost of building tunnels for trains are far more expensive than the ones being built for EVs.
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The question you're asking is:
"Would you rather be on a crowded train, or waiting in line forever".
There's a "Why not neither?" solution already invented here - a rail line with mandatory seat reservation. Then the train is never crowded, and you are waiting in line for significantly less time because a train can carry like 10 times as many passengers per hour through a tunnel compared to a bunch of electric jellybean pods.
Also - when one of those Teslas breaks down (which they always do) the tunnel is screwed. Trains have redundant systems and a far better reliability track record to keep the tunnel moving.