> From: "bigverybadtom_at_aol.com [SkunkworksAMA]" <SkunkworksAMA_at_yahoogroups.com>
>
>Streetcars have disappeared from most cities in the 1940's. Reason? Busses are cheaper and easier to maintain and use, and most importantly, are easier to reroute when need be, Also, you might want to watch some old classic comedies about how motor vehicles and streetcars make a dangerous combination.
>
We still have streetcars (or trams as we call them) in several of the major cities in Australia. They are good in the Central Business District, where vehicle traffic is slow and there is a high amount of pedestrians - it is the people doing lots of short trips where trams make sense, plus they put the pollution else where (ie, the power station).
But as Long Tom said, if there is a problem en-route, or you want to go somewhere different, then there are some serious limitations with being 'stuck on rails'. Trains have this problem too, but tend to be going longer distances with greater loads and often higher average speeds.
We had 'window washers' in Australia till they passed a law that you have to get a permit to 'do it as a job' - basically to keep idiots from wandering around on busy intersections (traffic hazard) hassling motorists to spread dirty water on their windows... Charities have to get permits to do 'street collections' or 'bother you at intersections' too; plus they have to wear high-visibility vests and follow strict operating procedures (to avoid people getting run over, mostly).
Wonder if Jim's worlds intended to have public transport. I'm trying to think of any references... I know Jim was a very 'personal transport' type of guy (loved his bikes). Anyone think of any references to JMH's characters using public transport? Skunk sisters going places?
Scrapper, Black Dragon, thinking this is not one (of many) we'll be able to 'ask the creator'.
Received on Wed Nov 26 2014 - 02:51:45 CST