Mass Transit in America - Time for a New Dawn

The history of this country is rich with ambitious, nationwide transportation projects.  One might argue that transportation has enabled much of the growth that has fuelled the rise of the US as a global superpower.  Transporting materials, supplies, finished goods and people across the nation with speed and efficiency is a hallmark of American accomplishment.

Sadly, with the completion of the interstate highway system in 1992 (at a cost of 4x the original estimate and 3x longer than planned) transportation has taken a vacation when it comes to public policy.

The World Has Changed
A lot has changed since 1956, when the Federal Aid Highway Act was written.  Smog, congestion, oil-dependency and highway fatalities are a fact of life now for virtually every American.  While the highway system accomplished it's grand objective, the consequences can not be ignored.  Each day, tens of millions of people wake up, get in their cars, and waste an average of an hour each day driving to and from their place of employment.  Risking life and limb, the gainfully employed venture out onto the interstate highway system so they can afford to pay for the vehicles and fuel that make it possible for them to do the same thing the next day.

Count the Cost
With the average price of a new vehicle hovering around $30,000, few Americans can afford to directly purchase a new car.  Instead they turn to the benevolent finance companies (aka banks) who will ensure that the actual cost will nearly double.  Given that a car typically will be out of warranty within 3 years and nearly worthless after 10, it's not unusual for the capital cost of a vehicle to come to $7,000 - $8,000 per year.

Add on the compulsory insurance coverage for another $750 or so per year.

With the average round-trip commute at 32 miles per day, an average fuel economy of 25 MPG, we add another $1,200 - $1,300 per year in fuel alone.

Add to that the cost of regular scheduled maintenance, tires, brakes and repairs, it's easy to see that operating a car solely for the purpose of getting to work can easily run $9,000 - $11,000 per year.

News Flash: For nearly 1/2 of American households, that represents 20% or more of total pre-tax income.  When you look at after-tax income, vehicle expenses can easily exceed 30% of the average family's take-home pay. 

I'm convinced most people don't see that.  We've been conditioned not to.  Advertising works, people.

Oh, and that's before we even consider the more than 250 hours each year lost by the average commuter on their way to and from work.  At an average rate of $25 / hour, there's another $6250 down the drain.

It's time for change.  I thought that's why we hired this guy for President. . .