Beyond the automobile

Abstract

The Problem: Over-use of the automobile, in transportation jobs for which it is neither technologically nor economically qualified. This over-use causes land-waste, safety problems, air pollution, property-damage, and tremendous public and private costs.

Solutions are available in the form of new and attractive forms of public transportation — forms which can be installed and operated at less cost than automobiles and their related facilities.

But don't people prefer autos? Wouldn't they have to be ‘educated’ out of them and into alternative transit? Doesn't public transit require massive subsidies? Can we afford it? These are among the common misconceptions that have to be cleared up.

Discuss the history of public transit in the U.S., with emphasis upon the Bay Area — where there was a comprehensive system of electric traction lines and other services, all provided by private enterprise. Discuss the effects upon this system of competition from socialized roads and highways - whose users have no way of sensing the real cost of the facilities which they necessitate.

Under such conditions, there can be no valid conclusion concerning real public preference — since the auto did not displace the railway in a normal competitive system.