Because when you live 75 miles from the nearest major city, in a township of a couple hundred, a bus line or really any sort of infrastructure for that matter isn't practical?
I think a lot of people forget how sparse much of the country really is.
I think a lot of people forget how sparse much of the country really is.
Is it better to construct and maintain 75 miles of roads (and all the other infrastructure) for a couple of hundred folks?
I highly recommend this video on the finances around urban sprawl and their long term consequences:
He really cherry picked the least flattering angle on modern Front Street. Here's a better angle - https://goo.gl/maps/CBnqs6i9YLG1mSEG6
It's a very strange town to pick to make an argument about sprawl with - Brainard is a pretty densely packed small town as far as towns in Minnesota go.
Trains would allow kids, elderly, people without a driver's license or the financial means to afford a car to participate in society as well.
That meant while I could take the train to downtown, it wasn't practical (at least for a night of bar hopping) unless I wanted to spend a hefty sum on a return Uber at the end of the night.