http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/03/20/the-most-railway-friendly-country-in-the-world-is/ News & commentary on sustainability, activism, urban planning, politics, and our world. Wed, 23 May 2012 06:36:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/03/20/the-most-railway-friendly-country-in-the-world-is/comment-page-1/#comment-55417 sm hudson Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:02:45 +0000 http://ecoworldly.com/2008/03/20/the-most-railway-friendly-country-in-the-world-is/#comment-55417 Your article touches on some very relevant points with regard to the choices people make in their preferred mode of transportation, and by extension, the amount of public and private monies spent in different countries to build and maintain public transportation systems. Having just revisited London and Paris after many years away, I was struck by the efficiency of their underground rail services. I know that between the London Underground and British Rail services, there are still gaps, but compared to what we have here in the United States, they are both extraordinary. Attendants are polite and helpful. Efforts are made through recorded and real time public announcements, as well as excellent signage to guide passengers through any scheduling and logistics difficulties. The major difference between the London and Paris systems and the one I have experienced twice in Germany is cleanliness. The Parisian system used easily to be able to laud its clean, comfortable stations over those experienced in London. Sadly, not so any more. People we spoke to also generally appreciated the efficiency of point to point travel, but also really hated the hot, stuffy, dirty environment of the underground railway system. The realities of traffic in central London have caused the City legislators to put in place a pay-as-you-use it vehicle tax, which is very helpful to the health and safety of the city streets, buildings and citizens. The motorways, however, are a lot busier and more treacherous than they were thirty years ago, which speaks to the obvious preference of people wishing the independence of personal vehicles. It also indicates that more people are commuting from outside the major centers to work, a phenomenon we are all too familiar with here in the U.S.A. I think, over time, it would be a good idea to try to restructure work/living areas, to reduce the time and distance spent travelling to work. For the time being, finding a way to fund the maintenance of cleaner and therefore more comfortable public transportation might encourage more people to use it. Your article touches on some very relevant points with regard to the choices people make in their preferred mode of transportation, and by extension, the amount of public and private monies spent in different countries to build and maintain public transportation systems. Having just revisited London and Paris after many years away, I was struck by the efficiency of their underground rail services. I know that between the London Underground and British Rail services, there are still gaps, but compared to what we have here in the United States, they are both extraordinary. Attendants are polite and helpful. Efforts are made through recorded and real time public announcements, as well as excellent signage to guide passengers through any scheduling and logistics difficulties. The major difference between the London and Paris systems and the one I have experienced twice in Germany is cleanliness. The Parisian system used easily to be able to laud its clean, comfortable stations over those experienced in London. Sadly, not so any more. People we spoke to also generally appreciated the efficiency of point to point travel, but also really hated the hot, stuffy, dirty environment of the underground railway system. The realities of traffic in central London have caused the City legislators to put in place a pay-as-you-use it vehicle tax, which is very helpful to the health and safety of the city streets, buildings and citizens. The motorways, however, are a lot busier and more treacherous than they were thirty years ago, which speaks to the obvious preference of people wishing the independence of personal vehicles. It also indicates that more people are commuting from outside the major centers to work, a phenomenon we are all too familiar with here in the U.S.A. I think, over time, it would be a good idea to try to restructure work/living areas, to reduce the time and distance spent travelling to work. For the time being, finding a way to fund the maintenance of cleaner and therefore more comfortable public transportation might encourage more people to use it.

]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/03/20/the-most-railway-friendly-country-in-the-world-is/comment-page-1/#comment-55415 ReGeneration - ReGeneration Round-up: 2008-04-24 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:58:09 +0000 http://ecoworldly.com/2008/03/20/the-most-railway-friendly-country-in-the-world-is/#comment-55415 [...] here.  This is especially welcome considering the United States’ dismal showing in an international report on rail use around the world.  [...] [...] here.  This is especially welcome considering the United States’ dismal showing in an international report on rail use around the world.  [...]

]]> http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/03/20/the-most-railway-friendly-country-in-the-world-is/comment-page-1/#comment-55416 Marine2171 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:34:25 +0000 http://ecoworldly.com/2008/03/20/the-most-railway-friendly-country-in-the-world-is/#comment-55416 I think if we (the USA) were to put in light HS rail between major cites, light med speed rail around major cities, and low speed intercity rail we could increase tourism and decrease fuel consumption. I think if we (the USA) were to put in light HS rail between major cites, light med speed rail around major cities, and low speed intercity rail we could increase tourism and decrease fuel consumption.

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