Guardian UK: How the American commuter gets railroaded

[marmar]

How the American commuter gets railroaded
The terrible time we have with the Washington DC Metro is symptomatic of bad attitudes to public transportation in the US

Suzanne Goldenberg
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 11 January 2011


Years ago, in a city just north of the 49th parallel, I had a high school history teacher who had a powerful fascination for the Moscow metro. He brought in route maps and his own – extensive – collection of photographs of the ornately decorated stations. As students, we used to joke/complain that he could talk the whole school year about what a treasure this public transit system was for the Soviet working man and woman; how important it was to be able to move around safely, quickly, affordably and in relative comfort. (Yes, it was still the Soviet Union then.)

I have been thinking, with no small degree of longing, of hugely efficient metro systems lately – especially their escalators.

The stations and trains of the Washington, DC Metro are clean and quiet – but just try getting in or out of them. On my commute to work and various trips around town this week, there was not a single station with all escalators running.

What there were, though, were queues – of people trying to get off trains, so they could trudge up a long, immobilised escalator on their way home for work. Or people trying to funnel through the single working escalator between lines at the main Metro Centre interchange. Or elderly people and women with strollers desperately looking for an elevator. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/jan/10/transport-rail-transport

[Fumesucker]

1. I doubt the Moscow subway was built by low bid contractors..

Having been involved in the bidding game for many years I can tell you that the low bidder is seldom the organization you want fulfilling the contract on your construction project.