Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

[Plutonic Panda]

By the same logic, why should the state provide the highways all over town? If there was demand private companies can put them in.

Exactly. Infrastructure is for the greater good not profit. It could be viewed as a loss loser if you want to look at it that way. Private companies are in for the money. There is no direct profit to be made for bus service let alone HSR. It needs to be built for the people but most of approved by the people.

[Mesta Parker]

Exactly. Infrastructure is for the greater good not profit. It could be viewed as a loss loser if you want to look at it that way. Private companies are in for the money. There is no direct profit to be made for bus service let alone HSR. It needs to be built for the people but most of approved by the people.

This “mini discussion” is not about infrastructure and requiring infrastructure to make a profit. JosefromTulsa proposed for the state to run a subsidized bus service between Tulsa and OKC. That is not infrastructure. That is creating a government entity that will compete with private bus companies. Should the Fed’s start a subsidized airline and compete with United, American, Delta and others? Before someone mentions AMTRAK, it was created because private rail service had become unprofitable and was disappearing in the US. AMTRAK filled that void. There is no bus service void that I am aware of.

[cinnamonjock]

I mean, there are dozens of state-owned airlines all over the world, as well as state-owned passenger and freight rail services. Pretty much all airports and highways are state-owned. Intracity busses are pretty much all government-owned. It isn't a big leap to suggest a state-owned intercity bus service.

[VeggieMeat]

This “mini discussion” is not about infrastructure and requiring infrastructure to make a profit. JosefromTulsa proposed for the state to run a subsidized bus service between Tulsa and OKC. That is not infrastructure. That is creating a government entity that will compete with private bus companies. Should the Fed’s start a subsidized airline and compete with United, American, Delta and others? Before someone mentions AMTRAK, it was created because private rail service had become unprofitable and was disappearing in the US. AMTRAK filled that void. There is no bus service void that I am aware of.

Many bus routes across the nation are subsidized. The legacy airlines receive substantial subsidies just to keep operating. Even LCCs and ULCCs receive subsidies to service underserved and unprofitable areas.

Better connectivity between OKC and Tulsa could boost the state economy as a whole.

[Martin]

greyhound already makes two trips between okc and tulsa every day of the week. as far as i know, it's not subsidized. so... this service already exists and doesn't require tax dollars to do it.

[josefromtulsa]

greyhound already makes two trips between okc and tulsa every day of the week. as far as i know, it's not subsidized. so... this service already exists and doesn't require tax dollars to do it.

Why did the state build the turner turnpike when Route 66 already existed?

[josefromtulsa]

This “mini discussion” is not about infrastructure and requiring infrastructure to make a profit. JosefromTulsa proposed for the state to run a subsidized bus service between Tulsa and OKC. That is not infrastructure. That is creating a government entity that will compete with private bus companies. Should the Fed’s start a subsidized airline and compete with United, American, Delta and others? Before someone mentions AMTRAK, it was created because private rail service had become unprofitable and was disappearing in the US. AMTRAK filled that void. There is no bus service void that I am aware of.

You should see how much governments spend on airports... OKC alone is spending tons of money to try to just get a few more flights a week and maybe one or two international flights. Do you think those will make the city money?

Every form of transportation in this country receives subsidies in one way or another. It just depends on how much.

Edit: Some example of state supported intercity bus systems
Oregon - https://www.oregon-point.com/
Virginia - https://virginiabreeze.drpt.virginia.gov/
Colorado - https://ridebustang.com/
Ohio - https://ridegobus.com/