cities.. But the US has been lagging behind in modern methods of public transportation.

Recent reports suggest that American cities rank among the worst for transit systems.

So, why is US transit so bad?

Well, after World War 2, countries like Japan and Germany invigorated their economies through

federally-sponsored rail construction. But the United States chose to invest in their

Interstate Highway System. Beginning in the 1950s, the government paved tens of thousands

of miles of road all over the US. This road network helped encourage the popularity of

automobiles, and more spread-out city planning, called “sprawl.”

But the effects of city sprawl on commute times, the rising cost of gasoline and oil,

and growing traffic, have become a problem. In major cities, like Los Angeles, car traffic

constantly clogs the freeways. Even the New York city transit system, which can serve

up to 6 million commuters on a busy day, is known to many as being dirty, unreliable,

and underfunded.

On the other hand, London, England has the oldest subway in the world, and is significantly

more efficient. The “Tube” was constructed in the mid 1800s, and serves a billion people

per year, covering an area of 600 square miles. London also has a great rail infrastructure,

with high speed trains reaching out to Scotland and France.

Another success story is Seoul in South Korea. Its subway system is the longest in the world,

with 315 miles of track. The transit stations are high-tech and modern. Free wifi, heated

seats, and TV are available for riders. In many Asian and European countries, trains

are almost always on time, whereas New York’s subway, for example, sticks to the schedule

about 75% of the time.

Part of the reason for the America’s transportation deficiency is the difficulty in passing spending

legislation. Republicans in particular have been reticent to raise taxes to federally

fund transit programs. And a high speed rail could potentially cost $150 billion dollars.

But soon, legislators may have no other choice but to invest heavily in newer, better forms

of public transit. In 2014 the White House reported that up to 65% of America’s major

roads were rated in “less than good condition.” Also, nearly half of American citizens lack

access to public transit. Clearly, if the US wants to keep pace with other nations,

public transportation needs to be a higher priority.

China is making a great deal of investment into many sectors of the American economy.

To learn about how much of the US China actually owns, check out our video now. Thanks for

watching TestTube! We’ll see all of you subscribers tomorrow!