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mahatmakanejeeves

(61,302 posts)
Tue Sep 24, 2019, 02:58 PM Sep 2019

This video explains why public transit in America is so bad

RTs do not equal endorsement.

This video explains why public transit in America is so bad
HISTORY | By Dave Murphy (Contributor) September 23, 2019

Our Metro system is well known for its flaws, yet it stands as one of the best subway systems in the US despite them. American public transit was once the envy of the world, with over 11,000 miles of electrified streetcar. Today, all urban transit lines combined equal only about half of that number, despite American population growth. So what happened?

This video by Wendover Productions explains how the rise of the automobile, GM’s purchase of streetcar systems, and suburbanization reducing the densities of our cities led to the downfall of public transit. The dominance of automobility has affected our environment and our economy.

Today, American cities are re-embracing public transit as their ability to drive economic development became more obvious. Will it catch up to the quality of public transport in other industrialized nations? Share your thoughts in the comments.


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