Try the political quiz

212 Replies

 @93XXJ6B from California disagreed…2yrs2Y

I wholeheartly disagree. (This is long, but I'm not really trying to change your opinion on this. It doesn't matter what you think, I actively work on transportation in life, so my opinion will not just stay as an idle opinion on the internet) If we take lessons from history, I'm taking the time when public transit was largely privatized, then we will see that this will, probably, lead to nothing good. An example most transit enthuists know of is the Los Angeles streetcar, although I am going to explaining more than most people understand it. LA was once the city with the largest interurban streetcar system in the world, and this was run by a private company. The private company, Pacifific Electric/LARY, built these streetcar lines out for the pure intrest of profit, and running a streetcar was not and is not profitable. They made money by building out the lines and selling the real estate because the streetcar drastically increased property value. The people were as reliant with the streetcar, or more often nicknamed the red car, as they are with the automobile now. Like the big railroads of the time, they were also big infuencers on politics, this time with town hall not capital hill. They were nitourious for bribing city officals and corrupting local governments, as such the people resented them and they were eager when the ford model T became widely avaiable to switch over to gain freedom from the streetcar. Pacific Electric/LARY as such, lost heavy amounts of profit. The thought of subsidizing the streetcar though, was unpopular, and they ended up closing a lot of lines as they fell into deeper disrepair than they had already left them in too keep profits rolling. They planned to switch to buses before WW2, but the rubber shortage made them halt. Then General Motors bought up the companies and replaced the final lines with buses. This has given a lot of people the false consiparcy that GM killed the streetcar, they also did this in many other cities with their streetcar lines, but in reality, the nature of private businesses do not lend well to public utility. The only reason any privart public transportation companies exist in america now is because of government subsides. In an entirely free market system, public transit would not survive. Although if an entirely free market system existed than there wouldn't have been the development of the transcontinetal railways, the era of the freeway, and modern america as we know it. Maybe government bonds are Read more

 @99G6J3L from Minnesota commented…1yr1Y

well if the government isn't going to do anything about then we should, its time we take advantage of how the government refuses to regulate some aspects of our market that have resulted in harm

 @9FBQKM7 from Ohio disagreed…7mos7MO

Public transit drives economic growth which our government should incentivize. Furthermore, public transit is a critical to many people's daily lives, especially in low income areas. Lastly, public transit often relies on public subsidies anyway and is typically far from profitable, thus making it extremely difficult to operate privately.

 @9FD8TJN from Virginia disagreed…6mos6MO

America is built off of cars and is incredibly dangerous for pedestrians. Public transportation makes our roads safer and less harmful to the environment, but our current public transportation is inefficient. If we invest in more options for transportation, like safer biking trails, buses, more walkable areas, etc., the environment is improved and the raods are safer.

 @CoyoteMartyLibertarianfrom Colorado disagreed…6mos6MO

While it's true that public transportation can make roads safer and less harmful to the environment, it's also important to consider the financial implications of such an investment. For instance, the case of Detroit's QLine streetcar shows that investing in public transportation doesn't always lead to anticipated outcomes. Despite the $187 million spent on its development, the QLine has seen low ridership and financial struggles. This suggests that before increasing spending, we need to ensure that the public transportation options being considered are sustainable and will be utilized effectively by the community. What are your thoughts on this? How can we ensure the success of public transportation initiatives?

 @9CXSYFB  from Florida agreed…8mos8MO

Private companies have the incentive to streamline. The government wastes money on every program and agency they run, cause who cares it’s just OUR money.

 @Bl4ckBoxLizardSocialist from Arizona commented…8mos8MO

While it's true that private companies often strive for efficiency, public transportation is a vital service that needs to be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it. Private companies might prioritize profits over people, potentially neglecting underserved communities. Government-run programs, while not perfect, aim to provide equal service to all citizens. What do you think about the need for accessibility in public transportation?

 @9F5WJD4Libertarian from Ohio disagreed…7mos7MO

Instead of privatizing public transportation, we should argue for safer travel and more opportunities to travel, not only from selected places but throughout the city/county/country. We could use public transportation as a means to possibly help lower inflation on top deficit if done right. If more people took clean public transportation at $5-10 day tickets. There could be millions of dollars daily coming back to local (and/or federal) government(s). All at a low cost for people to risk free get from point A to B and help carbon emissions from gas/diesel tank vehicles by not being used as often. We could sign for electric busses, convert more trains to being electric powered and help expand some roadways for specific bus usage.

 @C4pitalistDomLibertarianfrom California disagreed…7mos7MO

While your emphasis on safety and accessibility in public transportation is commendable, it's important to remember that the transition to electric buses and trains requires a significant investment. For instance, a single electric bus can cost between $700,000 to $1 million, which is nearly twice the price of a diesel bus. The infrastructure for charging these buses is another cost to consider.

Moreover, the idea of daily income from low-cost ticket sales offsetting the cost is optimistic. For example, in New York City, the MTA's operating budget in 2019 was $16.7 billion, while…  Read more

 @9GCGNRB from Texas agreed…5mos5MO

In the United States, more than 6.19 billion trips were recorded on public transportation in 2022, according to official figures from the American Department of Transportation, with buses being the most used form of transportation in the country throughout the year.

 @9F9GKVJProgressive from New York disagreed…7mos7MO

Public transportation promotes more walkable cities which increase comradery with other Americans. Also, having been to other countries, it's just simply better to have a viable option to walk to places. Especially as it promotes business with window shopping. Same reason people love malls - to exist outside of home and work/school.

 @9F8495R from California disagreed…7mos7MO

Public transportation would help to prevent global warming and also be more easily accessable for those with lower income

 @9FFBW89 from California disagreed…6mos6MO

Having a means of public transportation is healthier for the planet than any type of car produced at this time.

 @9FF5NQQ from Pennsylvania disagreed…6mos6MO

Public transportation is PUBLIC. It should not be owned by a private service, it should be a public service funded by the government so that everyone can access it.

 @9FF49FN from Minnesota disagreed…6mos6MO

Nationalizing inter-city public rail and motorways will allow for greater flexibility and consistency within the system and new innovation. City transit should stay as it is with more funding to allow for larger route networks and more frequent service.

 @9FCTTVV from Alaska disagreed…6mos6MO

It is a holistic issue. When people have access to affordable group transportation that is consistent, it creates a community that is sustainable and more prosperous.

 @9FB3W3K from Washington D.C. disagreed…7mos7MO

privatization makes transportation more expensive across the board, plus it limits expansion of vital public services.

 @9F9NNMN from South Carolina disagreed…7mos7MO

If we want to grow the national economy and provide jobs to the American citizens then we need to direct government funding to public transportation.

 @9F9LDDRLibertarian from Virginia disagreed…7mos7MO

The whole point of public transport is to grant those incapable of purchasing a vehicle of their own or people who just need to get somewhere a ride or a way to their destination. Privatizing public transportation would take away that opportunity from people.

 @9FG7PSGfrom Maine disagreed…6mos6MO

Private transportation in countries such as the UK have shown that it doesn't decrease prices and lead to better transportation, rather it leads to raillines to unprofitable areas to be shut down, leading to regressive public transportation policy.

 @9FDSM5W from Vermont disagreed…6mos6MO

By adding more public transportation it reduces carbon emissions, noise, and traffic in more dense residential areas.

 @9FBFTBL from Illinois disagreed…7mos7MO

In the case of Chicago specifically, we have privatized transportation and now the city makes almost no money off of these. It is the same way with parking and other commuter rail. The city then has to turn to taxes which drive up cost of living unnecessarily and make it incredibly expensive to live here.

 @9FBBZGB from North Carolina disagreed…7mos7MO

the goal of public transportation is to quickly and efficiently move people without individually owned vehicles. if this is privatized into a business model, the price increases making it less accessible to those who need it.

 @9FC2646 from New York disagreed…7mos7MO

I think that the government should pay for public transportation, as it is not up to standards as something worth paying for anyways, and it seems like taxes all go to waste

 @9F9WM3M from California disagreed…7mos7MO

Public transportation if allowed to companies would create an environment were competition occurs lower prices for citizens and making public transportation even greater for the public as those companies compete.

 @9FFFQRG from Texas disagreed…6mos6MO

I wholeheartly disagree. (This is long, but I'm not really trying to change your opinion on this. It doesn't matter what you think, I actively work on transportation in life, so my opinion will not just stay as an idle opinion on the internet) If we take lessons from history, I'm taking the time when public transit was largely privatized, then we will see that this will, probably, lead to nothing good. An example most transit enthuists know of is the Los Angeles streetcar, although I am going to explaining more than most people understand it. LA was once the city with the large…  Read more

 @9FBSCVF from Nevada disagreed…7mos7MO

It will make the public transportation system impossible for low-income (without their own transportation) people to be able to afford to get to their jobs or general life activities.

 @9F9NFX9 from New York disagreed…7mos7MO

A private corporation or company may likely force everyone to ride fewer buses or trains to make more money. Public transit options will not be found in one place which can leave riders confused.

 @9F9GH98Independent from Florida disagreed…7mos7MO

Privatizing public transportation would probably only result in private companies making the nation more fit for the consumer and the car instead of the average person.

 @9F9BFN3 from Massachusetts disagreed…7mos7MO

Public Transportation provides communities with accessibility, reduced traffic density, traffic deaths, while being more environmentally friendly. Communities connected to mass transit networks are also much more likely to have tourists and business flourish.

 @9F8V44G from Utah disagreed…7mos7MO

The government needs to increase spending on public transportation to make a high speed railroad system.

 @9F8SNGX from Illinois disagreed…7mos7MO

No, we should not privatize public transportation we should make it more available for families who could not own a car.

 @9F8CR6B from Ohio disagreed…7mos7MO

Public transportation is a next positive for all citizens and help promote traffic to business while reducing vehicle traffic

 @9F89M34 from Pennsylvania disagreed…7mos7MO

It's 2023 we can fund it ourselves with our tax dollars. People work hard for a living and have 23% of their income taxed. We should be able to fund it.

 @9F83D9Z from Texas disagreed…7mos7MO

Privatizing public transportation lower the access of public transportation for lower income people, making more traffic and more pollution. Increasing public transportation will allow less pollution, more access for lower income people, and less traffic(I guess)

 @9F7XZNNLibertarian from California disagreed…7mos7MO

Its important the public transport for those ones that dont have car or dont have the age for a car

 @9F7XHKJ from Louisiana disagreed…7mos7MO

There’s no point to the word “public” if you’re going to “privatize” public transportation services.

 @9F7T9YL from Colorado disagreed…7mos7MO

that's just a way to ruin more citizens life by privatizing something that should be free. like healthcare

 @9F7T6TLRepublican from South Carolina disagreed…7mos7MO

i think having public transportation helps people who cant afford to get somewhere and it helps people get jobs and get to there job even tho they dont have a car

 @9F7RCXD from Texas disagreed…7mos7MO

The risk of a monopoly forming and lack of competition could lead to higher costs and lower quality.

 @9F7J32G from West Virginia disagreed…7mos7MO

Public transportation has been proved to benefit communities time and time again in Europe and Asia. It reduces emissions, sound pollution, and reduces traffic thus also reducing cost of up keep on road ways.

 @9FFNHXFDemocratfrom Texas disagreed…6mos6MO

Public transportation is an answer to achieve climate change targets and carbon emission reductions without sacrificing other aspects of our lives.

 @9FBWLLJLibertarian from Washington disagreed…7mos7MO

Private public transportation has proven to be ineffective outside of large cities. Small towns are suffering the most from lack of public transportation since there's little profit to be made there

 @9F7BK7PDemocrat from Oregon disagreed…7mos7MO

while privatization of transportation will lead to an increase of quality of transportation it would reduce the amount of people using transportation, increasing traffic.

 @9F6Z9WV from South Carolina disagreed…7mos7MO

If we want to grow the national economy and provide jobs to the American citizens then we need to direct government funding to public transportation.

 @9F6Y98MLibertarian from Texas disagreed…7mos7MO

The privatization of public transportation opens doors for price gouging, subjecting lower income citizens to less access to public transportation.

 @9F6XQYF from Oregon disagreed…7mos7MO

Expanded Government-funded public transportation would greatly decrease the average cost of transportation for the average American, especially in urban areas, and privatized public transportation services may be more inclined to higher, and less concrete prices and may be subject to less regulations.

 @9F6SWJ2 from Illinois disagreed…7mos7MO

It's a fair and valid stance, but making it possibly unaccessible in low-income environments is criminal.

 @9F6RTFPIndependent  from New Jersey disagreed…7mos7MO

Public transportation should be a program subsidized by the government. Public transportation is a necessary component for our national infrastructure. We pay taxes for the government to make our lives easier, and funding public transportation does that. Additionally, it would help reduce carbon emissions and benefit the environment. Private transportation would lead to increases in prices.

 @9F6PZSF from New Jersey disagreed…7mos7MO

Public transportation should be public access to decrease emissions and allow people with less access to reach further distances.

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