So Elon wants to privatize Amtrak, huh? The stupid, it burns. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/7/2308748/-So-Elon-wants-to-privatize-Amtrak-huh-The-stupid-it-burns?pm_campaign=trending&pm_source=sidebar&pm_medium=web #Musk
@RealJournalism Unfortunately if you "look it up" online, you'll get disparate explanations of why the old streetcar/trolley systems were gotten rid of. I've got the straight dope on it because I did the research to tie all those loose ends together.
Rail was already embraced for interstate travel, but the streetcar/trolley was a headache for municipalities to operate and maintain AND the way they were powered caused plumbing infrastructure issues: high power wire overhead whose current ran through the trolley itself directly to earth ground. Cities wanted out of that deal badly. When the auto came around, it was embraced because cities couldn't wait to get rid of that electric safety/infrastructure hazard fast enough.
@claralistensprechen3rd @RealJournalism
It's ironic - in Luxembourg, there was a well developed tram network in the early 20th century, then that was abandoned for whatever reason and replaced by petrol then diesel powered buses. Finally, work has begun on rebuilding the tram network and there are now trams plying their trade from the southernmost business areas of the city right out to the airport in the north.
All public transport; trams, buses and trains have a competitive advantage over the use of private cars here as all are completely free to users (the only exception being 1st class train travel for which there is a modest fee. 2nd class is free).
