Quote:
Originally Posted by M II A II R II K
The BEST Mode for transforming US Transit in the next 4 years - Regional Rail
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Thanks for video and I totally agree that regional rail is the answer for most NA cities. It's premise is basic...............make the most use of the infrastructure you already have. As you live in Toronto, I think the large Eglinton LRT project will be just a footnote compared to the monumental transformation that will COULD result from RER.
That said, I think you missed a couple major points:
First, fare integration. Suburban/RER services MUST be priced at the same level as the buses/LRT/Metros etc and be part of the standard transferable transit fare in order to make them financially viable for most of the population. Most people who ride transit are price sensitive being more working class, students, disabled, unemployed, and seniors. A doubling of fares by taking a RER is simply not optional for many.
Second, electrification. Electrification does provide cheaper operational costs than standard diesel but that depends on the context. Canada has some of the cheapest hydro rates in the Western world and are cheaper than in the US and conversely diesel/gas is cheaper in the US so the cost benefit is less. Even so, electric trains offers environmental benefits, faster de/acceleration, and are much quieter. The problem is the initial cost, construction, and time needed to build all those thousands of km of catenary is prohibitive. You should present viable options that are not just catenary but also battery and hydrogen. There is no such thing as a 'one size fits all' transit technology. If a city has 300 km of commuter rail, that does not mean they have to string 300 km of wires.