http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/2008/07/bitter_bus_passengers.html
Wooley and I had a slight taste of rural Texas this weekend and it was the touristy side of things as well, but we still found that to be somewhat remote, (urban dwellers that we are!) so I cant imagine what being really rural is like, the distances are so vast, its amazing! Even more amazing is the far reach of immigration hundreds of years ago and how the immigrant communities have made a lasting mark on the present day culture. Travel back then was slow and dangerous but so many risked it for the promise of a "better" life. To restrict travel now is both dangerous and a step in the wrong direction. Travel enriches individuals and the world. Its harder to vilify people when you have been to their homes, eaten their food and bought their goods.
You can see how heavily reliant people are upon their cars in the vastness that is some parts of America, and why they have to be. There are no alternatives, and that is scary. The vast open space is great and awe inspiring. The need for physical travel to cover these vast distances has to be re-thought, todays environmental, economic and cultural concerns demands changes in the way we travel and cover these vast distances.
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4 comments:
I really couldnt agree with you more.
I read that piece in the Observer on sunday about the States and car travel. I must admit i was impressed with the train, bus and tram system in dallas simply because i just do not associate the USA with public transport - other then aeroplanes.
In the UK whilst we are somewhat ahead of the US on this agenda in some respects, (and of course way way way smaller geographically) we do still need to invest and rethink transport too - whilst I'm no expert on this issue, I am certainly an expert passenger and the trains are horrendously overcrowded (and expensive) the tube is worryingly aged and can get to ridiculous temperatures, buses are sometimes fab (i love the night bus) BUT in rural areas (hell, even in non London urban areas) its a very different story.
to end this comment on a positive note, I did hear something about plans for a cable car system over the thames and east london (mostly for the olympics no doubt) but still its a lasting transport legacy and much needed investment in a deprived part of the city. also quite fun and if designed right i'm sure it would be pleasing too! But again its London, which is great for me but not the rest of my countrymen and women.
There is no public transport that is perfect or none that I have experienced, the DART in Dallas is very specific to a very small area. I think transport has to be rethought on a mass scale......love the cable car idea.
ok - i understand what you mean about the need to rethink on a mass scale. but the problem with that is in the developed world we dont start with a blank canvas. Generally you have to work with whats there and also deal with the inconvenience of the fact that people will have to use and utilise what is there whilst you "make improvements" - this applies to rail, roads everything. M1 widening has been hell, as i'm sure will the east london line extension to brockley. but its so important to do it. Massive investment needs to be made on the train system - and also on the underground. but with millions using them everyday it must be a logistical nightmare.
however, do you think beacuse so little investment has been made in transport in the US on a mass scale that they almost are starting with a blank canvas??
I do agree, its a nightmare to try to overhaul a system that so many use and rely upon daily. I think that one of the problems in trying to develop a public transport system in many cities in the US, is that many cities were built for cars, and so to try and now impose a public transportation system over the existing infrastructure is also nightmare another problem is not many want to give up the convenience of their cars, despite $4 per gallon gas/petrol! Not only is it a case of developing a system but also trying to get people to use it. But if it is not a comprehensive and efficient system in the first place no one will give up their car for it, but without people using and creating a demand for a public transport system there is no demand to develop it...its all a bit circular.
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