Fair-Weather Transportation

Some of the Antiplanner’s faithful allies are chortling over the closures of rail lines — advertised as “all-weather transportation” — due to snowstorms, including parts of the the Washington Metro system, the The study, which was viagra generic uk done in Finland, followed 989 men for five years and questioned them about any ED symptoms. Testosterone is additionally in charge of the bone thickness, muscle quality and the vitality level generic cialis without prescription of the body. Penegra is usually substituted by men who are also prescribed to take other types of medications. cialis generic pills If you are suffering from heart diseases or if you have not encountered one yet, then viagra ordination http://www.slovak-republic.org/zilina/ it is advisable to follow eating this drug after the consultation with the health expert. href=”http://www.mtamaryland.com/status/index.cfm?service=Light%20Rail”>Baltimore light-rail system, and New Jersey light rail.

And don’t forget the shutdown of the Eurostar high-speed trains through the Channel Tunnel. How does weather shut down train service in a tunnel?

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About The Antiplanner

The Antiplanner is a forester and economist with more than fifty years of experience critiquing government land-use and transportation plans.

32 Responses to Fair-Weather Transportation

  1. Spokker says:

    Heavy snow wreaks havoc on both railroads and airplanes but airplanes are grounded by fog and trains are not 🙂

  2. the highwayman says:

    Ice too & black ice is really bad.

    A couple of years ago I hit ice on the road while crossing a bridge, the car spun and I went into the on coming traffic lanes. Luckily there happened to be no body in those lanes at the time & was able to regain control. Still scary though.

  3. C. P. Zilliacus says:

    Washington’s Metrorail routinely shuts-down for all major weather events that strike the national capital, be they snowstorms or hurricanes.

    I recall being stranded by Metro thanks to a large snowstorm in 1983.

    Every major snowstorm dating back to 1979 (the first part of the system opened in 1976) and Hurricane Isabel (the only hurricane to score a direct strike on Washington since 1976) has resulted in at least a third (and sometimes all) of the system being turned-off.

    I also recall the claims made by WMATA in the early 1970’s, when the assurances by the rail system’s sales staff were that it would be an all-weather system and would not be impacted by foul weather.

  4. hkelly1 says:

    How utterly predictable. I knew when I stopped by here today that I would see the AP’s typical hypocrisy post-snowstorm. He makes no mention of the major highways that were shut down, folks stuck and stranded in their cars, a snowplow driver on Long Island who died stuck in a snowbank, the fact that major malls on Long Island were closed because of the local state of emergency shutting down the roads…

    No, instead he does the usual flagrant cherry-picking. And he calls transit people biased.

  5. Andy says:

    So what if trains are halted by weather every few years. We humans should be humbled by weather. Our daily work is really not that important that it can’t be put off a few days by the weather.

  6. the highwayman says:

    C. P. Zilliacus said: Every major snowstorm dating back to 1979 (the first part of the system opened in 1976) and Hurricane Isabel (the only hurricane to score a direct strike on Washington since 1976) has resulted in at least a third (and sometimes all) of the system being turned-off.

    I also recall the claims made by WMATA in the early 1970’s, when the assurances by the rail system’s sales staff were that it would be an all-weather system and would not be impacted by foul weather.

    THWM: I know you guys are crooked, but hurricanes? Come on.

    Tornadoes have derailed trains in the midwest, though they’ve toppled cars & trucks too.

  7. the highwayman says:

    Andy said: We humans should be humbled by weather. Our daily work is really not that important that it can’t be put off a few days by the weather.

    THWM: That is part of life, not every one is a firefighter or a paramedic.

  8. blacquejacqueshellac says:

    Good morning AP, and also you angry lefties. If AP lies so much, why don’t you go elsewhere?

    As for “No, instead he does the usual flagrant cherry-picking. And he calls transit people biased.”, that’s sheer genius. Roads get shut down by mother Gaia all the time, but that’s not news because they never claim otherwise.

    But rail ‘advertised as “all-weather transportation”’ (Did you not see that? Angry lefties can’t read?) does claim otherwise. The AP does not hate rail, he just rails against claims that rail can solve problems that it cannot. Righties sometimes use rail subsidies to fill their pockets. Lefties want rail subsidies for no sane reason whatever.

    You lefties should be cheerful this AM, as of last night you are well on the way to wrecking the Republic starting with corporatist ‘health’ care. Be happy.

  9. Mike says:

    blaquejacque:

    Lefties want rail subsidies because transit infrastructure is built by unions and transit operation is performed by unions. Unions, which exist solely to introduce a coercive element into the demand side of the labor supply, are quintessentially Democrat/left-liberal.

  10. the highwayman says:

    Baltimore did NOT shut down their light rail or subway system, NJT’s light rail ran too, though delayed.

    He doesn’t mention that I-81 was also shut down and it was a record breaking snowfall. One of the worst December storms in recorded history in some areas.

  11. the highwayman says:

    Mike said: Lefties want rail subsidies because transit infrastructure is built by unions and transit operation is performed by unions. Unions, which exist solely to introduce a coercive element into the demand side of the labor supply, are quintessentially Democrat/left-liberal.

    THWM: Unions have their good points and their bad points.

    Though I’m not against freedom of assembly and freedom of association.

    “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” 1st Amendment of the US Constitution

  12. Mike says:

    Highwayman:

    You were right up until governments passed crooked laws requiring certain jobs to be performed by union labor. The right to unionize is supposed to be balanced by the right of employers to refuse to hire unionized workers if they don’t wish to be subject to coercive collective bargaining terms. Because that right of employers has been violated, the right to unionize becomes a violation of rights by proxy.

    The only justifiable application of a union even in a corrupt business landscape is to oppose a cartel. The union and the cartel are mortal enemies, you see. But if the governmental court system was doing its job of dissolving cartels and protecting individual rights, the union would become completely unnecessary even for that one justifiable purpose.

  13. gecko55 says:

    Snowed in my part of old Europe this weekend as well. While it was doable, more hassle than it was worth to cycle to work today. Had to resort to the train / tram. I guess I shouldn’t complain about the extra 15 minutes that option takes.

    And while heavy snow will sometimes cause the trams to run a few minutes behind schedule, it’s extremely rare for weather to affect either suburban or inter-city rail service.

  14. prk166 says:

    @hkelly1 –> Unfortunately a common claim by some but not all backing rail transit projects is that they are **NEVER** impacted by weather. The original post may not have made that clear enough. It’s unfortunate that so much of the public discourse needs to be devoted to obviously incorrect claims. Another one is the implication of infinite capacity.

  15. the highwayman says:

    Mike said: You were right up until governments passed crooked laws requiring certain jobs to be performed by union labor. The right to unionize is supposed to be balanced by the right of employers to refuse to hire unionized workers if they don’t wish to be subject to coercive collective bargaining terms. Because that right of employers has been violated, the right to unionize becomes a violation of rights by proxy.

    The only justifiable application of a union even in a corrupt business landscape is to oppose a cartel. The union and the cartel are mortal enemies, you see. But if the governmental court system was doing its job of dissolving cartels and protecting individual rights, the union would become completely unnecessary even for that one justifiable purpose.

    THWM: Like I said before, unions have their good points and their bad points.

    “Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.” Plato

  16. the highwayman says:

    prk166 said: Unfortunately a common claim by some but not all backing rail transit projects is that they are **NEVER** impacted by weather. The original post may not have made that clear enough. It’s unfortunate that so much of the public discourse needs to be devoted to obviously incorrect claims.

    THWM: Just as I don’t like the incorrect claims about transit that come from O’Toole, Cox, Rubin, auto makers, big oil, Cato, Reason & etc for that matter.

    Though there are plenty of incorrect claims envolved with cars, trucks, boats & planes too. Pardon the pun, but it’s a two way street.

  17. ws says:

    prk166:“Unfortunately a common claim by some but not all backing rail transit projects is that they are **NEVER** impacted by weather. The original post may not have made that clear enough. It’s unfortunate that so much of the public discourse needs to be devoted to obviously incorrect claims. Another one is the implication of infinite capacity.”

    ws: Is there a evidence that these systems were built under the premise that they would withstand any and all weather conditions — including blizzards and hurricanes?

  18. Mike says:

    Highwayman,

    Plato was an idiot. “Philosopher kings” — enough said. Responsible for more death, suffering, and stagnation than every other philosopher until Immanuel Kant.

    Aristotle was the man. Read what he had to say, and then you’ll be on the right track.

  19. Frank says:

    “A couple of years ago I hit ice on the road while crossing a bridge, the car spun and I went into the on coming traffic lanes. Luckily there happened to be no body in those lanes at the time & was able to regain control. Still scary though.”

    Luckily for you. Not so lucky for those who have to read your non sequitur and stark raving rantings. You’re the village idiot who’s so stupid he can’t figure out he’s the village idiot. Get a clue. Get lost. Go drive on some icy bridge. Or at least stop spewing your vomit and crap here. Really. Seriously. Want me to draw you a picture?

    “…the fact that major malls on Long Island were closed because of the local state of emergency shutting down the roads.”

    Oh my god! The malls on Long Island were shut down! The travesty! The injustice! My Long Island Italian ex-girlfriend must have been beside herself! Hopefully the power wasn’t out, because if so, she wouldn’t have Internet or TV and might actually have to read a book!

    “If AP lies so much, why don’t you go elsewhere?”

    Yeah, go troll under someone else’s bridge and stop fouling up this blog. Seriously. What’s wrong with you people?

    Seriously.

  20. Dan says:

    Is there a evidence that these systems were built under the premise that they would withstand any and all weather conditions — including blizzards and hurricanes?

    No.

    This has been another service of Simple Answers to “Should I Suspect the Gullible Have Chosen to be Duped by a Strawman Again?”.

    DS

  21. the highwayman says:

    Frank said: “A couple of years ago I hit ice on the road while crossing a bridge, the car spun and I went into the on coming traffic lanes. Luckily there happened to be no body in those lanes at the time & was able to regain control. Still scary though.”

    Luckily for you. Not so lucky for those who have to read your non sequitur and stark raving rantings. You’re the village idiot who’s so stupid he can’t figure out he’s the village idiot. Get a clue. Get lost. Go drive on some icy bridge. Or at least stop spewing your vomit and crap here. Really. Seriously. Want me to draw you a picture?

    THWM: Scratch a “libertarian” find a fascist?

    Frank: “If AP lies so much, why don’t you go elsewhere?”

    Yeah, go troll under someone else’s bridge and stop fouling up this blog. Seriously. What’s wrong with you people?

    Seriously.

    THWM: Some one has to stand up to your bullshit.

    I’m a live & let live guy, yet if you want to tread on others then expect them to fight back.

  22. the highwayman says:

    Mike said: Plato was an idiot. “Philosopher kings” — enough said. Responsible for more death, suffering, and stagnation than every other philosopher until Immanuel Kant.

    THWM: Ayn Rand was an intelectual trouble maker just like Marx.

  23. C. P. Zilliacus says:

    prk166 wrote:

    > @hkelly1 –> Unfortunately a common claim by some but not
    > all backing rail transit projects is that they are
    > **NEVER** impacted by weather. The original post may not
    > have made that clear enough. It’s unfortunate that so much
    > of the public discourse needs to be devoted to obviously
    > incorrect claims. Another one is the implication of
    > infinite capacity.

    Recall that the Washington Metrorail system was “marketed” by its proponents (including, among others, the late Cody Phanstiel, the very capable public relations director for WMATA in its early days) as being a replacement for the planned urban freeways of the District of Columbia (and the federal taxpayer dollars that would have been spent in D.C. on those freeways were diverted to fund construction of part of the Metrorail system).

    One of the pitches repeatedly made for Metrorail by Phanstiel and others was that unlike streets and highways, its operations would never be impacted by Washington weather.

  24. C. P. Zilliacus says:

    ws asked:

    > Is there a evidence that these systems were built under the
    > premise that they would withstand any and all weather
    > conditions — including blizzards and hurricanes?

    In the case of the Washington Metrorail, the answer is yes.

    Do I have evidence for a court of law? No. But I was in the D.C. area then, and recall very well the marketing that went on for rail transit.

  25. C. P. Zilliacus says:

    You can read much more about these subjects at Doug Willinger’s A trip within the Beltway and Zachary Schrag’s fine online exhibit about the planning for Metrorail.

  26. the highwayman says:

    It’s fine CPZ, I know it’s a deadlock.

    You highway lobbyists only want roads and us transit activists don’t only want roads.

    You want control & we want freedom.

    Our objectives are diametrically opposed.

  27. Frank says:

    “…far right psychos…”
    “What you guys do is bullshit. You just have this jihad against railroads & transit!”
    “You guys are crooks!”
    “…O’Toole is a auto/big oil lobbyist…”
    “I think you’re a bigot!”
    “O’Toole you’ve got to be f*cking joking again!”
    “O’Toole you’re just lucky that you get paid to write bullshit.”
    “…you ran for office you jack ass!”

    “I’m a live & let live guy…”

    Right.

    You’re a spammer spewing vomit and flinging loose stools all over this site. You have made thousands of nonsensical and ad hominem comments on hundreds of posts.

    What’s wrong with you?

  28. prk166 says:

    In regards to the my rail/wx comment, the key part that wasn’t quoted by others was “@hkelly1 –> ”

    It was only in response to hkelly1.

    As for WS’ question, it would depend on who you were talking about. I doubt anyone in a decision making capacity would do so. However, it is common for referendums to occur to vote on financing projects. In the limited situation where people are voting, then yes, such misinformation has been used.

  29. the highwayman says:

    Frank said: What’s wrong with you?

    THWM: Compared to you, pretty much nothing.

  30. msetty says:

    On December 22nd, 2009, the highwayman said:

    Frank said: What’s wrong with you?

    THWM: Compared to you, pretty much nothing.

    Boys! Boys!

    I know a good boxing gym in Vallejo where you two can duke it out, if you both happen to be in the S.F. Bay Area at the same time.

    But I reserve the right to set up the betting pool from members of Randal’s blog, of course taking the bookie’s cut of the action! Let’s be entrepreneurial about this, in a way Mike the Objectivist would approve!

  31. Mike says:

    Setty,

    Obviously there is no reason a competing bookie cannot set up shop offering a lower vigorish and a broader array of wagering options than you are. 🙂

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