So Why Public Transit?

Two transit advocates explain the need for high quality public transit in the United States.

1 minute read

February 15, 2005, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"For the 21st century, we think the suburban 'ideal' will by necessity--dealing with congestion and dwindling energy supplies--revert to strings of towns and cities connected by high quality transit, such as the Pacific Electric, interurban electric railway-based pattern pioneered in Southern California 1900-1920. This is something many of us 'urban chauvinists' would be happy with. In this fashion, 'suburbia' and its preponderance of single family housing can survive and even prosper after the world reaches 'peak oil,' i.e., that point between now (2005) and 2020 where exactly half of all oil ever to be used will have been pumped out of the earth. Indeed, most places have at least the basic outline needed since many suburbs have established 'downtowns' that usually developed when railroad commuting was invented."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Monday, February 7, 2005 in Public Transit

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