Trains

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/362107

Two things strike me about this article.

1. Of course it's Dr. Teeth to suggest this plan, he has a reputation from his Senate days of taking the Amtrak commute every day from Wilmington to DC.

2. Why is our train system so outdated?  It's everywhere too, not just the nationwide Amtrak system.  Rail based public transit systems haven't been updated in decades in most places.  Philadelphia's El doesn't even reach city limits at its north, south, and east (northeast) limits (yes, it is shaped as a cross -- the backbone of public transport for a large area'd city and the 5th most populous metro-region in the nation is essentially a cross).

The way I see it, the rail system, at least for people transport, should be based around the nation's densely populated areas, and then there should be smaller networks to connect these to one another.  It doesn't really matter the cost incurred because of the boost it will give economically.

-- Knuttel