Comments on: Paris Pushes Privately Funded Express Train to Airport http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/04/24/paris-pushes-privately-funded-express-train-to-airport/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:15:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: d http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/04/24/paris-pushes-privately-funded-express-train-to-airport/#comment-1088 d Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:57:41 +0000 http://thetransportpolitic.com/?p=2042#comment-1088 I travel to Paris often and use the Air France bus instead of the RER. Even with non-stop service from the Arc De Triumph it can take 40 minutes. I stopped taking the RER because it can be difficult managing luggage during commuting hours. I travel to Paris often and use the Air France bus instead of the RER. Even with non-stop service from the Arc De Triumph it can take 40 minutes.

I stopped taking the RER because it can be difficult managing luggage during commuting hours.

]]> By: Yonah Freemark http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/04/24/paris-pushes-privately-funded-express-train-to-airport/#comment-1086 Yonah Freemark Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:32:29 +0000 http://thetransportpolitic.com/?p=2042#comment-1086 Manu - Thanks for your point. This is where I get in trouble for my simplifications. Yes, you're right that the Caisse des Dépôts is an arm of the government. That said, it has a number of roles in France, including acting as something close to an infrastructure bank, much like <a href="http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/13/finally_a_serious_proposal_on/" rel="nofollow">that which</a> the Obama campaign proposed. In other words, it leverages funds to provide long-term building projects. Importantly, however, the money does not coming out of taxpayer pockets - so it's not a governmental department. The Caisse des Dépôts doesn't receive a subsidy for its activities, and it maintains an independent budget that is expected to break even, much like an American authority. In short, you're right, but it's more complicated than that. Manu -
Thanks for your point. This is where I get in trouble for my simplifications. Yes, you’re right that the Caisse des Dépôts is an arm of the government. That said, it has a number of roles in France, including acting as something close to an infrastructure bank, much like that which the Obama campaign proposed. In other words, it leverages funds to provide long-term building projects. Importantly, however, the money does not coming out of taxpayer pockets – so it’s not a governmental department. The Caisse des Dépôts doesn’t receive a subsidy for its activities, and it maintains an independent budget that is expected to break even, much like an American authority. In short, you’re right, but it’s more complicated than that.

]]> By: switchingmodes http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/04/24/paris-pushes-privately-funded-express-train-to-airport/#comment-1087 switchingmodes Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:57:24 +0000 http://thetransportpolitic.com/?p=2042#comment-1087 California is about to make a similar mistake. In this case HSR is planned to take a longer route to avoid the airport. There is an article on that <a HREF="http://switchingmodes.com/proposals/hsr-sfo-a-missed-opportunity-for-hsr/" rel="nofollow">here</A>. California is about to make a similar mistake. In this case HSR is planned to take a longer route to avoid the airport. There is an article on that here.

]]> By: manu http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/04/24/paris-pushes-privately-funded-express-train-to-airport/#comment-1085 manu Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:23:06 +0000 http://thetransportpolitic.com/?p=2042#comment-1085 Except that the Caisse des Depots is, well, the investment arm of the French government. It has a hand in most infrastructure projects in France and is basically France's sovereign fund (owning stakes and board seats in most of the CAC 40 companies). Except that the Caisse des Depots is, well, the investment arm of the French government. It has a hand in most infrastructure projects in France and is basically France’s sovereign fund (owning stakes and board seats in most of the CAC 40 companies).

]]>