Perhaps we need to STOP funding the airlines and to a certain extent the roadways? Then use the funding for railways?
I have no idea just what the level of subsidy is for the current airline industry, but they obviously have a model that isn't working well and it will be just a matter of time before a few more of the legacy carriers go bankrupt and the industry contracts even more. Currently the service is deteriorating as well as their ability to provide any type of flights from many airports. Every year it gets harder and harder to get flights to and from many areas, without having to drive an hour or more to a larger airport.
We already cannot afford to maintain nor subsidize the current road system without some changes in the way the raise the revenue to pay for it. I have noticed a serious decline in the condition of some of the more heavily traveled roads near my home, when I questioned the local DOT engineer about it, her comment was that their funding had been cut...again and they were just trying to keep them from totally destructing. I have also read several articles where some states are allowing roads to go back to gravel from pavement to save on maintenance costs.
Aaron
