We shall get some hints from China high speed rail. Singapore is too small. China rebuilt its railroad system in less than a decade. Now China has the longest and arguably fastest high speed rail in the world.
The construction of China new high speed rail system was totally under the control of central government. Contribution from private sector was minimal. Of course there were waste and corruption, which will happen in almost any public infrastructure work. But the project was finished ahead of schedule and the effect on Chinese economy was very positive.
I don't think US high speed rail shall be done by private companies. We may end up with one or two "too big to fail" construction firms that tax payers need to bail out in the future.
Re: Job "Training"
tokyogai
4/4/2012 9:04:04 PM
I agree that it can be done. it is really not all that difficult- after all, we have very powerful computers.
@Phoenix, Singapor is also much smaller than than the US and will not have to deal with all the state and federal laws and codes that we would here in the US to make the same system work.
Re: Job "Training"
Phoenix
4/4/2012 1:03:29 PM
@telecomfreq It's used in Singapore. You can load credit in and use the card for trains and buses. The same card can be used for transport to some sightseeing attractions also. You can also get cards which act as store discount cards in addtion to working on all the public transport. So then you get additional discounts rewards etc for the use of that card. Basically it's a lot of multi tasking with just one card. The majority of the people in Singapore use this card system. Of course I don't know how well it will work for USA like you say. The initial cost of getting the system underway must be huge.
@Phoenix,
I think that the logistics behind a one card system might be a bit much to take on. its doable, but making a system like that work across many different platforms would be a business in itself.
Re: Job "Training"
Phoenix
4/4/2012 12:12:32 PM
Private investments do look like a good avenue of funding but investors will have to wait a long time for profits so it would be a long term investment. As for ticketing systems one card for all type of a system would be more customer friendly. Trains, buses all with one card. Even if two or three different operators operate the rails and buses they could offer this.
@Noreen
"The thing is he is doing just fine right now hauling freight, so not sure he would be that intrigued with passenger rail."
I think he realizes that people are higher maintenance than rail cars full of coal.
"Yes, Amtrak is just a living, breathing advertisement for privatization, isn't it?"
Ha!
Re: Job "Training"
Tenacious
4/4/2012 11:36:10 AM
A private company could do so much more with Amtrack, including develop a more efficient boarding system and ticketing system. We know government enterprises are always bogged down by overly complex regulations. free it up-and imagine how much better it could be run.
Yes, Amtrak is just a living, breathing advertisement for privatization, isn't it?
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