The perfect public transportation system
One of my most un-American (even more so, un-Californian) tendencies is how much I love public transportation. I was stoked to buy my first car at 16 (I’d been saving virtually all my Christmas and birthday money since I was 12), but the initial joy and sense of independence slowly wore off. Traffic, repairs and insanely high gas prices all became more of a burden than a convenience.
Add in the environmental consideration and the fact that I can get lost in a book when someone else is driving, and I’ve always been a proponent of taking public transport when possible–and abroad, it’s my only option. I just can’t wrap my head around paying for a taxi while traveling alone!
I’ve taken public transportation in several countries. I adore the Paris metro, the Melbourne trams and the Cote d’Azur buses. I never fail to get turned around on the London tube or the complicated Munich underground system. The Sydney bus network was a constant headache, while the all-night service in Stockholm quickly won me over. A few of the ups and downs of public transport around the world:
- Map it out: One thing I hated about the Sydney bus system was the complete absence of maps at stops. How, as a newcomer or tourist, are you supposed to figure out where the bus is going? Eventually, as I got the lay of the city down, I started to figure out if I needed to go via City or Circular Quay–but it was tough whenever I wanted to go to a new destination. I particularly like very clear and color-coordinated maps, like the Paris metro, that are posted throughout stations.
- Be nice: Helpful and knowledgeable staff make all the difference. In Sydney, no driver seemed to know anything other than their own route–and even then, they weren’t that familiar with the surrounding areas. In Melbourne, the bus driver made sure to tell me when my stop was coming up after I asked about a transfer–just that little bit of friendliness was much appreciated!
- Announcements of the next stop: I hate it when you’re just expected to know the route. This is the main reason why I get so anxious about taking buses. Train systems are much better about having it posted. However, I love the new technology in the buses in San Francisco that digitally announces what the next stop! In-transport maps–especially of that particular route–are also super helpful.
- Keep it cheap: In my experience, the cheaper the service, the more likely people are to pay. If you charge outlandish prices and then don’t police the stations, plenty of people are going to fare jump. I always bought a ticket when I took public transport in Nice because it was only a Euro: well worth it for my peace of mind when the transport police hopped on board.
- All night long: The thing that impressed me most about public transport in Stockholm is that it ran all night. It stinks when you have to cut a night short to catch the last train or when your only options are a super-long, intoxicated walk or an expensive taxi ride. Even if frequency is drastically cut—say, one train an hour from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m.—public transport that continues through the night is incredibly helpful.
- Be on time: Even if services are incredibly infrequent and inconvenient, at least stick to the time schedule. If you aren’t going to stick to a time schedule, don’t post one! This is another reason why I prefer trains and trams to buses: they’re much less likely to be held up by unavoidable traffic, accidents or road construction.
- Easy connections to other transport: Buses that go to the train station, trains that go to the airport: affordable and efficient connections make life easier for both travelers and locals.
What are your must-haves in a public transportation system?
