A new trend in Chinese is to turn an active verb into a passive verb–usually with a sinister context–by prefixing the character “bei” (pronounced “bay”). For example, bloggers who have been censored will say they’ve been bei huh-shyeh, or “harmonized”–a reference to the Chinese government’s efforts to create a “harmonious society.” This new, and formerly ungrammatical, usage of bei has become so popular that Chinese education ministry declared bei to be the “character of the year” for 209.
One frequent use of this character is to combine it with Gao Tie, which means high-speed train (literally, “fast iron”). Bei GaoTie means high-speed railroaded, or “being forced to take expensive high-speed trains” because conventional (and affordable) service is not available. High-speed train fares are typically three times as much as conventional fares, but with high-speed trains taking some of the business of conventional trains, conventional train service is often reduced.
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While the high-speed trains are faster, they are often less convenient than the conventional trains. Rather than build high-speed rail stations in city centers, China has built many of them at the edge of town. This can force many people to add an hour-long bus ride at each end of the trip, negating the speed advantage.
We can hope that America has dodged the bullet trains. But many Americans are used to being bei tie (railroaded); that is, being forced to take expensive trains because transit agencies cancelled their buses and cities let the streets become too congested to drive.
I won’t bei-tie you for your hyperbolic rhetoric today, but I would like a little clarification on where exactly Americans are being “forced” to ride expensive trains.
I can see where they’re being forced to pay for them, but I would argue that more Americans are being “forced” to drive.
Forced or not, Slate has a good discussion about HSR today (though I don’t for the life of me know why only so-caled “conservatives” get credit for being opposed to government spending tax dollars on passenger trains).
Added bonus: some guy named O’Toole gets quoted.
Off the Rails
Why do conservatives hate trains so much?
…but I would like a little clarification on where exactly Americans are being “forced†to ride expensive trains.
They’re not being forced to ride them, they’re being forced to pay for them.
Perhaps, Mr. Antiplanner, the roads have become so congested because the expense of building new ones, both in monetary terms and in terms of destruction of existing communities, has become too great. And perhaps they have become so congested because 1) they are a “free” resource to auto drivers, and 2) our communities and lifestyles are designed so that we don’t have a choice except to drive.
Sort of like the expense of high speed rail lines.
They’re not being forced to ride them, they’re being forced to pay for them.
Just as they are “forced” to pay for vast tracts of single-family homes that require a polluting automobile to go anywhere, which decreases cardiopulmonary health, which forces insurance rates up, which forces other costs up in turn due to auto dependency.
So one surmises that many here assert the subsidies for single-family detached homes should end.
DS
Dan wrote (emphasis added):
which forces other costs up in turn due to auto dependency.
I know of nothing in the United States which is more auto dependent than the mass transit industry, which would cease operations immediately if not for the large-scale diversion of highway user revenues (motor fuel taxes and, in many states, highway tolls) to transit capital and operating subsidies.
Consider New York City, which accounts for a huge percentage of transit patronage in the United States.
According to audited financial statements for 2009 and 2008, $314 million and $347 million respectively in toll revenues were diverted from MTA Bridge and Tunnel to various money-losing MTA transit operations.
MJ says: “They’re not being forced to ride them, they’re being forced to pay for them.”
You’re preachin’ to the choir MJ. Tell that to Mr. O’Toole.
Just as they are “forced†to pay for vast tracts of single-family homes that require a polluting automobile to go anywhere, which decreases cardiopulmonary health, which forces insurance rates up, which forces other costs up in turn due to auto dependency.
So one surmises that many here assert the subsidies for single-family detached homes should end.
That’s a sweeping set of assertions. Would that they were substantiated. Of course, no one is being forced to buy a single-family detached home (even you, Dan). In most large cities it is possible to find different types of neighborhoods, especially in central cities. If people choose to rebuff this option, I don’t think we should second-guess them.
Nor are people required to own a car. Those that do might be surprised to find that emissions levels are falling and have been for several decades. Those who don’t own one might be even more surprised. “Auto dependency” is the planning equivalent of psychosomatic illness. It does not exist, except in the minds of those who believe it should.
I’m not sure what you mean by subsidies to single-family detached houses. The primary subsidies to housing accrue to homeowners in general, irrespective of whether their house is detached or not. As I have argued here before, it is questionable whether these subsidies are justified. But whether they continue or not, they are unlikely to materially affect urban structure.
MJ, the subject of what you italicized is ‘the taxpayers’. Of course they are ‘forced’ to pay for vast tracts of SFD. The HMID decreases the net taxes paid into the system, which is, of course, picked up by everyone else and privileges the consumption of SFD.
And this: “Auto dependency†is the planning equivalent of psychosomatic illness. It does not exist, except in the minds of those who believe it should. well, thanks for the laugh. I needed that.
Thaaanks!
DS
CPZ, even with NYC, it’s the bus side of things that cost the most to run.