You have some interesting concepts. I also take the bus, from Maricopa to Tempe.I agree regarding your statement about changing habits. But your statement regarding "pooling resources" is exactly what I am talking about. You call it pooling because it takes other peoples money and benefits you directly. However, if the government were to steal money for other purposes, that don't benefit you, then it would be a completely different situation. Additionally, when you see how much money the city governments subsidize your bus system, and now light rail system, your $/mile or $/day is very high. Additionally, while city governments subsidize  bus systems, they also prevent other systems from entering the market through licensing and lack of subsidies. The end result is a very poor system that has no market forces forcing it to be 2 of the 3, better, faster, or cheaper. For example, I wanted to take a bus from i-10 and Elliot to ASU. The bus route would take just over an hour. I rode my bike the seven miles in 30 minutes. Your favored subsidies, your pooled resources, create (financially, timely, and environmentally) extremely inefficient mechanisms, in this case a crappy, smelly, rude, late, slow, bus system. So, no, pooling (read stealing) resources for special interest groups is rarely a good idea, as demonstrated by light rail systems throughout the US and our bus system as well.

On a side note, I really enjoy exchanging ideas with you Alex. Please don't read this with a tone other than informative. Additionally, if we should take this off the plug list, lets do that so we don't pester anyone else...

Eric

On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 8:20 AM, Alex Dean <alex@crackpot.org> wrote:
Eric Cope wrote:
I wouldn't be too excited about 32 mpg (I saw the 37s and 38s, thats better). Over 40 and thats good... (side note, have you *safely* aired up your tires to 40-45psi, that will get you 1-3 more mpg). The true metric is not $/mile, but $/day.


My $/day is pretty awesome.  I ride the bus or work at home.

No, doesn't take long.  Express from Tempe to downtown Phoenix takes about 20 min.  Stuck in traffic?  Read a book, let the driver worry about it.

Not everyone can do that.  But what I'm saying is it's not all about finding better cars.  It's also about finding things that are better THAN cars.  Changing habits is as important as changing technology.


let me know what your solar experiences are. I found they take 20+ years to pay for themselves with warranties under 20 years. Are you familiar with the maintenance of solar?

Have you looked into solar hot-water?  Between federal and state tax credits, you can install a brand new system (~$5000), and it will end up costing you about $1000.  Think of the amount of power that goes into running your water heater.  I'm not inventing those numbers.  I've got a written installation quote and rebate forms that use those figures.



And you didn't answer my second question. If we as a population are willing to do it ourselves (which is always better), why do we require our leaders to bully us into doing it ourselves?

Well, government isn't all about bullying.  A government that provides incentives for people to make choices which benefit us all is doing a good thing.  2 things I've commented on here, solar hot water and public transit, are viable alternatives because they are partially subsidized.  I don't feel bullied.  I feel glad that, at least some of the time, our leaders are putting our money into good programs.

I love doing things myself.  I also love pooling resources with others to take advantage of economies of scale.  I wouldn't run my own bus, but I'm happy the city operates a bus service.  I could drive if I wanted to, but I don't want to, and I'm glad I don't have to.

alex


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