CNN Money (http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/04/news/economy/gaprices/index.htm?postversion=2007110415?cnn=yes) I don't know about everyone else, but I'm sick and tired of these gas prices. Do they want Americans to be poor? Is the cure to global warming make gas prices so high people can't drive? When is the US goverment going to step up and do something about this? I just can't take it anymore! I heard on the radio today that the only reason gas prices are on the rise again is because of investors, as crude oil goes up so do are gas prices, but there is no reason it should be going up according to some analysts. Let the bitching and complaining about gas prices commence!
We import a lot of oil yes, although we do have our own North Sea oil fields and refineries it only accounts for maybe 10% of our use. About 70% of that price per gallon goes on tax.
No - it is massively inferior in all but the most populated of cities (London, Birmingham, Manchester etc.) The government like people to think that fuel duty is spent on things like the environment and public transport - it isn't. The price of fuel is also subject to a 'fuel duty escalator' - basically this means the tax on it increases by 5% above the rate of inflation each year.
Really? The CTA, Chicago Tranist Authority is great in Chicago. But, due to rising fuel costs and lack of state officials agreeing on funding its about to fall apart, get massive cuts, etc. Its sad, it was the best in the nation. They keep calling it the CTA Doomsday Senario lol, thank god I depend on my car and not public transportation.
Confusingly, it's a mix. The infrastructure (stations, tracks and signalling) is government owned and operated, the trains are owned by private companies and operated by other private companies.