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Title: Railways face radical overhaul to give 'better deal for all'
Source:
Guardian
URL Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/m ... railways-face-radical-overhaul
Published: May 20, 2011
Author: Guardian
Post Date: 2011-05-20 10:16:01 by go65
Keywords: None
Views: 57003
Comments: 75
Commuters face the biggest shakeup of the railways since the ignominious Railtrack era after a government-commissioned report called for £1bn in costs to be stripped out of the industry – and for it to give all involved a "better deal". An overhaul of the fares system was the most eye-catching recommendation in a study by Sir Roy McNulty, former chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority. The report into rail industry costs also outlined changes to slash the £5.2bn state subsidy, including phasing out ticket offices in small stations, removing conductors and giving train operators control of maintenance on some routes. McNulty said fares in the UK were 30% higher than in France, Holland, Sweden and Switzerland, with operating costs running 40% higher than those countries. "There is a clear imperative to give both farepayers and taxpayers a better deal," McNulty said. "This industry has a serious cost deficiency issue to address. Everyone concerned must be aware that passengers are paying above the odds."
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#35. To: jwpegler (#33)
I don't know where you get your info: that's more than the Obama stimulus spent on infrastructure in the U.S. I agree with respect to power, telecom, but not for roads-rails or any other monopoly service. You keep arguing against public sector investments in rail by citing countries who have public rail systems? Do you not realize that?
"Thats because your basically and idiot." Sure. The stuff of legends! List of those unable to think: Bumper sticker on DwarF's car: I missed something, when did we ever start arguing about light rail in suburban America? I'm really not sure what point you are trying to make here.
"Thats because your basically and idiot." Hong Kong is the most densely populated place on earth. They have double the population density as Singapore. Almost everyone lives in high rise apartments / condos. Same thing with Tokyo -- a densely populated city with very few single family homes. Ok, so why do you argue then "Passenger rail is an inflexible, cost prohibitive, and obsolete concept."
"Thats because your basically and idiot." I have been there. I've seen it myself. That's where I get my information. First hand experience. Sure, they might be spending more money. But it's being wasted on government corruption, not the roads. That's how the India government works. Do you know what the toilets in India's major airports look like? They are just holes in the ground (like some Southern European countries and much of Asia). But there isn't any toilet paper. There is just a bucket of water. Oh my god... Fortunately, India has the most extravagant hotels for western business people I've ever seen. But if you have to take a dump, you better do it at the hotel or office because the government facilities are gruesome. Do you want me to really blow your mind? I just signed a new contract last week. Everyday this week I've been on GoToMeeting conferences between 6am and 8am with a company in Pakistan. At some point if I have to go there, I'll give you a report on their rotten infrastructure.
All airports are subsidized.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
I guess Jesus was a commie
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
I have relatives in Germany. How did you like our European socialized roads? Makes America look like a third world shit hole, right? America is Upper Volta with nukes.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Yes, let's be less like Europe and be more like Somalia.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Jesus didn't force anyone to do anything, so no he wasn't a commie.
So do I. The difference is that I've actually been there (20+ times), while you only have your textbooks.
Your analysis on India is a joke. India is EMERGING and has a long way to go to catch up but as we speak they are trying to create new infrastructure. Yea, life goes on in those cities but it is not ideal. Why do you want America's cities to look like Calcutta?
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Now you know how many times I have been there also? Your delusions explain why Republicans make stuff up all the time. So you visit Germany 20 times and still think America is better? How stupid are you?
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Wrong again. London City Airport’s profits are flying high Major Australian airport profits soaring Shenzhen Airport's profits surge You are living in the 1950s. The world has changed.
All airports are subsidized. That they make profit is besides the point. American oil companies are subsidized for example.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
China and India are booming today because they moved to the free market. China and India are booming and both recognize a large segment of their populations are being left out of the boom; both governments know that they have a limited amount of time to "spread the wealth around" if they are to avoid big trouble. From a report by HKSAR Government: Job and Income Insecurity: Poverty and Disparities of Wealth: The number of people earning low wages is rising and the disparities between the wealthy and the poor are at its greatest. Poverty will continue to be a critical problem facing the significant population mass. Increasing Competition and Decreasing Life Chances: The belief that one could succeed if he/she tried hard enough is being challenged in this generation. Disadvantaged groups are at considerable risk under increasing competition, impairing their chances of improving their lives and moving up the social ladder will be increasingly difficult. The ideological purity you seek doesn't exist in the real world.
The Republican budget goes after children and the poor. Courage would be going after defense and the rich. Bill Maher
Where did I say that? No where. What I said is that the right solution is somewhere in between India (not much investment) and China (wasting money on shiny new things). The right approach is functional infrastructure that is cost effective. The left is all about shiny new things, just like my 3 year old.
ROTFLMAO. Neither of these countries is spreading any wealth around. They are fostering environments in which entrepreneurs can create new wealth.
As I recall, their trains were very good.
The Republican budget goes after children and the poor. Courage would be going after defense and the rich. Bill Maher
I don't suppose that you'd considered that those toilet facilities represented cultural preferences from your own and not primitive infrastructure. BTW, I found the WCs in the airports at Santa Cruz and Delhi to be quiet western.
The Republican budget goes after children and the poor. Courage would be going after defense and the rich. Bill Maher
Oh please. Spashing your rear end with the same bucket of water that was used by the last dozen people is not a cultural preference. It's unsanitary.
Yep. That first picture is exactly why Indian corporations have to spend so much money on gas-powered backup generators. They would be out of business if they relied on the government power grid.
That picture of the power pole in India is what unregulated limited govt looks like. yea, stuff will still get done but......
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Sure they are... Wrong again Bozo. Most of the power companies in India are government owned and run through the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal and Ministry of New Renewable Energy and administered locally by various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) This is what incompetent government looks like. People who live in tin hovels in India splice into the power lines themselves so that they can watch TV. Tax payers foot the bill. Private enterprise needs to serve their customers to stay in business. They can't stay in business with constant blackouts. The government is a monopoly so they get to stay in business through FORCE and without any consideration whatsoever to the customer.
That's right. Socialism works in Finland and Germany very well. GOP screws up and then blames the screw up on bog govt they are running.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Amtrak will get it's funding increased...They know how to lobby.
And yet there is a large and rapidly growing private sector presence in providing power. People who live in tin hovels in India splice into the power lines themselves so that they can watch TV. Tax payers foot the bill. I'm not going to respond to that - it speaks volumes without my comment.
The Republican budget goes after children and the poor. Courage would be going after defense and the rich. Bill Maher
Dude - you're not supposed to wash your bum IN the bucket.
The Republican budget goes after children and the poor. Courage would be going after defense and the rich. Bill Maher
The govt is not a business.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Nice suit!!!! "I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning
Did they make you get a German drivers license before they let you lease a vehicle??????
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning
In Italy all of the road side rests I visited had "Bombsights" not toilets..... In Sudan the shower and "bombsights" were all in one cubicle, only time I ever took a shower wearing combat boots..... LOL.....
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning
But if she is responsible for getting them funding, they won't be able to take fat people anymore or serve cookies......
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning
That's for damn certain.
Nope. American licenses work in most European countries. I've rented cars and driven in Europe dozens and dozens of times. No problem. I don't drive in the third world. When I go to India I hire a driver. When I go to the Philippines I use the Jeepneys. When I go anywhere else in the third world I rent taxis. I won't drive in Japan. They drive on the left side of the road. Almost none of the street signs are in English.
Nope. American licenses work in Europe. I just wondered.... when I was there back in the 80s I had to get a German drivers license before I could drive any vehicles, even military... Looks like some things have changed since I was there last....
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning
My understanding is that it's on a state by state basis. Some states have drivers license agreements with foreign countries. I live in Washington. Boeing and Microsoft make Washington the #1 exporter in America. We have driver's license agreements with most of the major countries that Boeing and Microsoft do business with.
I just looked it up because I was curious. If you have a license from one of these states, you can drive in Germany: Alabama Arizona Arkansas Colorado Delaware Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Michigan New Mexico Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah Virginia West Virginia Washington State Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico
Alabama Arizona Arkansas Colorado Delaware Idaho Illinois Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Michigan New Mexico Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah Virginia West Virginia Washington State Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico I had an Ohio license back then.... ohhh well .... Guess I can drive then the next time I go.....
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning
You ever notice how the biggest losers always try to talk about how wealthy they are, or how much tail they can get? Psychologists would call such statements manifestations of an inferiority complex. Where gobsheit is concerned, it's not a complex. (((smirk)))
List of those unable to think: Bumper sticker on DwarF's car:India is not growing its investment in public infrastructure to any great degree. Their infrastructure is a disaster.
India plans US$ 308 billion infrastructure investment
http://www.khl.com/magazines/international-construction/detail/item61858/
The right solution is somewhere in between -- functional infrastructure that is cost effective. That means that the private sector has to run the power plants, tele-communications, etc. because governments are simply incapable of doing so.
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#36. To: jwpegler (#32)
India is not growing its investment in public infrastructure to any great degree. Their infrastructure is a disaster.
mcgowanjm, ferret mike, skippy, fartboy/yukko, white sands, bucky, lucys idiot mom, e_type_jackoff, go56, badlie, wreck, calCON, mininggold, war, Banjo Boris, Biff, Godwinson and meguro. If you're on the above list, you're too fucking stupid to hold a real conversation.
#37. To: jwpegler (#34)
Shiny new light rails won't work in sprawling suburban America because they can't possibly be convenient given our environment. Philippine Jeepneys can work. It's just a fact.
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#38. To: jwpegler (#34)
Singapore is the second most densely populated place on earth. Almost everyone lives in a high rise apartment / condo.
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#39. To: go65 (#35)
(Edited)
I don't know where you get your info
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#40. To: jwpegler (#14)
#41. To: jwpegler, lucysmom (#16)
There is no such thing as the "greater good". It's a leftist delusion.
#42. To: jwpegler (#17)
I've actually driven on the Autobahn many times.
#43. To: jwpegler, capitalist eric, lucysmom, mininggold (#23)
(Edited)
The roads are congested. So, let's build a fancy new train that is inconvenient for most people to use, so it stays 90% empty most of the time.
#44. To: Godwinson (#41)
(Edited)
I guess Jesus was a commie
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#45. To: Godwinson (#42)
I have relatives in Germany
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#46. To: jwpegler, go65, capitalist eric, CZ82 (#32)
#47. To: jwpegler (#45)
So do I. The difference is that I've actually been there (20+ times), while you only have your textbooks.
#48. To: Godwinson (#40)
All airports are subsidized.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#49. To: jwpegler (#48)
(Edited)
#50. To: jwpegler (#26)
Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan rose to prosperity during the 80s and 90s because of the free market.
The new mode of business operation due to technological advancement and globalization causes structural job displacement and leads to high rate of unemployment. Jobs are no longer stable and secured in all levels. Life-long careers are replaced by casual and contract jobs. Fast and continuous changes in job market warrant quick alignment of job skills and retraining of workers.
#51. To: Godwinson (#46)
Why do you want America's cities to look like Calcutta?
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#52. To: lucysmom (#50)
(Edited)
"spread the wealth around"
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#53. To: jwpegler (#32)
India is not growing its investment in public infrastructure to any great degree. Their infrastructure is a disaster.
#54. To: jwpegler (#39)
Do you know what the toilets in India's major airports look like? They are just holes in the ground (like some Southern European countries and much of Asia). But there isn't any toilet paper. There is just a bucket of water. Oh my god... Fortunately, India has the most extravagant hotels for western business people I've ever seen. But if you have to take a dump, you better do it at the hotel or office because the government facilities are gruesome.
#55. To: lucysmom (#54)
(Edited)
I don't suppose that you'd considered that those toilet facilities represented cultural preferences from your own and not primitive infrastructure.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#56. To: Capitalist Eric (#36)
(Edited)
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#57. To: jwpegler, lucysmom (#56)
#58. To: lucysmom (#53)
As I recall, their trains were very good.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#59. To: Godwinson (#57)
(Edited)
That picture of the power pole in India is what unregulated limited govt looks like
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#60. To: jwpegler (#59)
This is what incompetent government looks like.
#61. To: jwpegler (#58)
#62. To: jwpegler, Goodwinson (#59)
The government is a monopoly so they get to stay in business through FORCE and without any consideration whatsoever to the customer.
#63. To: jwpegler (#55)
Spashing your rear end with the same bucket of water that was used by the last dozen people is not a cultural preference. It's unsanitary.
#64. To: jwpegler, lucysmom (#62)
The government is a monopoly so they get to stay in business
#65. To: Godwinson (#9)
I can see myself riding in one of these in my Italian business suit
#66. To: jwpegler (#17)
I've actually driven on the Autobahn many times. How about you?
#67. To: jwpegler (#39)
Do you know what the toilets in India's major airports look like? They are just holes in the ground (like some Southern European countries and much of Asia).
#68. To: socalv8 (#61)
Amtrak will get it's funding increased...They know how to lobby.
#69. To: Godwinson (#64)
The govt is not a business.
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#70. To: CZ82 (#66)
(Edited)
Did they make you get a German drivers license before they let you lease a vehicle??????
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#71. To: jwpegler (#70)
Did they make you get a German drivers license before they let you lease a vehicle??????
#72. To: CZ82 (#71)
(Edited)
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#73. To: CZ82 (#71)
"Everything that can be invented has been invented."-- Charles Duell, Commissioner of US Patent Office, 1899
#74. To: jwpegler (#73)
I just looked it up because I was curious. If you have a license from one of these states, you can drive in Germany:
#75. To: CZ82 (#65)
can see myself riding in one of these in my Italian business suit.
mcgowanjm, ferret mike, skippy, fartboy/yukko, white sands, bucky, lucys idiot mom, e_type_jackoff, go56, badlie, wreck, calCON, mininggold, war, Banjo Boris, Biff, Godwinson and meguro. If you're on the above list, you're too fucking stupid to hold a real conversation.
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