[zachsnow]

I am from Minneapolis. I’m trying to imagine a fast rail connect to Chicago as being better than driving. Once in Chicago I think I’d like to have a car? It’s only a day’s drive away so I imagine I’d rather drive. Basically the net is that the US is car centric and it will be a lot of work to change that. (Which I’m on board for, it’s just not easy or quick.)

[UserIsUnused]

I had a few friends that commuted 1 hour by train each day, and they simply decided to buy and share an old car in the destination station. Just to make the 3 miles between the station and workplace. Bus were disfunctional, so they couldn't be relied on. They huge amount of money saved in tolls and gas (gas here is not as cheap as in the US), plus the free time and more comfortable trip in the train, made the old crap car investment quite a no brainer.

[jessaustin]

If the rail line were really straight, Milwaukee would be right at 300 miles from the Twin Cities. (I agree, Des Moines doesn't really count as a "major city".)