Another " First " for the Month of April .

This year seems also to be on the fast track , as it is April already . Now I know I have written about many of Qing's firsts , but this one is different . It belongs to myself this time . As you know , with the rising Gasoline Prices and all that is effected by it becomes more expensive . So to counter that , I had done something .. that is really a true "First " for me . The last couple of Month's , Qing and I have looked into .. me going to Work by Train . Ohhh .. even though this sounds not unusual , it is the first time I get on any Public transportation .. other then an Airplane . This only is true of course here in the States , as I have ridden Public Trans. many time back in the old Country . So here I convinced myself to try it , as the times .. leaving and going back home are pretty much the same .. as by Car . Am I excited ? Yes of course , I will get off only about two Blocks from my Work .. about a two minute walk from the Station . I have to change my Working hours a little on both ends , but overall .. I leave and arrive home about the same time as before . Now , does this really save me a Bunch of " Green " ? Not really , I have figured out it will do my little Truck more good then me . It will safe some 500 miles a Week , just going to work . I save between $ 60 - $ 70 a Month . Not much , but if you look at it on a yearly bases .. it pays for the Insurance on both Cars easily . It's something and my poor Car gets a rest and that in itself saves " Green " too . Tell you what though , the Train is sooo much more expensive here compared to China . Just last month , we checked the Prices for a Monthly Pass and it was $ 248 then .. now it was $ 275 already . I know , these Trains are not Electric and run on Diesel still and on can expect the Prices to go up as the Gasoline goes up . The difference though , is quite large comparing it with Shanghai .. where you can just about ride across the City for 4 yuan (rmb) . That is .. $ 0.65 , where you Pay $ 10.50 One-way from my Work to Palmdale alone , without a Monthly Pass . Here they are talking about a " Fast Train " from LA to Frisco .. ? I most likely will not see that day it is completed ( if ever ) and what are going to Charge for it One-way ? Looking at the Cost to build it , it should be in the neighborhood of about $ 150 - $ 200 each way .. at the Rate of other Train Ticket's . This is really convenient , as Flying is cheaper and faster . It does not make any sense to me , to even start this . This might work in China/Japan , but here in America .. No Way ! Besides , who is going to watch over all that Track and make sure it is 100% safe for the Rider's ( Passenger ) from those Idiot's ( Terrorist's ) that like America so much . Just the Talk of this , properly has got them interested already .. how to .. ? I feel , this is something they should have started about 30-40 years ago , not just now . All they do is follow other and they are way ahead of that Game . Anyhow , I will take the " Slow " Train ( 1hr. 15 min. for a 35 mile ride ) next Week and will see for myself .. how far we here are behind ? I really don't want to sound like I'm putting down my new Home-Country , but I don't think I'm too far off what I feel/said about the Railroad . Either way , I like to hear feedback on this Issue .. agree or disagree .