So, the BCS title game is going on, and your blogger has one ear on the radio, but I cannot help thinking about something. I've mentioned in past posts how great using mass transit is for big events (sports, concerts, demonstrations... etc). In a way, mass transit is almost made for big events... which brings me to the BCS Title Game.
The BCS Title game is played in rotating warm weather locations (Miami, New Orleans, Phoenix, Los Angeles). While the events are beautiful and well run, they are pathetic from a mass trans standpoint. Perhaps this is a feature of the host cities, which, with the exception of New Orleans, are sprawling extended suburb cities. Don't get me wrong, these are great cities, but they are not particularly great for mass trans.
I would like to see the BCS try having their title game in a city with good mass transportation for once... I bet they would find the people movement of the game a LOT easier! Atlanta, Houston and Seattle all seem like a pretty good (warm weather) option if you ask this Cowboy!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
New Orleans
The Train Cowgirl (who is absurdly hot) and I visited New Orleans last weekend. We had a wonderful time in The Big Easy. I was most impressed by the people we met, but the feel of the city, and the food were both wonderful!
N.O. presents some very interesting mass transit challenges and solutions. Because the city is kind of a swamp, they cannot dig subway tunnels. (In truth it is probably very good that there were not subways when Katrina happened.)
As a result, N.O. has developed a streetcar system. What is really cool is that these are not the tourist trap streetcars of San Francisco, they are certainly used by everyone, including tourists.
We rode the streetcar out to a Christmas Lights Event at City Park. Our car was a wonderfully jolly bunch, singing carols and old tv show tunes (think Flintstones).
At another point, we rode a streetcar late at light and sat with a group of waiters, just off their shift, and a group of sisters and sister in-laws, who had been partying hard.
As a city, I give New Orleans a 10 out of 10. Great people, great food, great architecture.
Trains/Streetcars: 7 out of 10 (gained a point for cool factor, but lost points for coverage.)
Buses: 8 out of ten
Cleanliness/Art: 9 out of 10 Clean enough, wood interiors in remarkably good shape.
Usage: 7 out of 10
Timeliness: 7 out of 10
Crown Jewel: Riding with happy, drunk party people mixed with waiters and musicians just off work. +5
Total: 93% A-
N.O. presents some very interesting mass transit challenges and solutions. Because the city is kind of a swamp, they cannot dig subway tunnels. (In truth it is probably very good that there were not subways when Katrina happened.)
As a result, N.O. has developed a streetcar system. What is really cool is that these are not the tourist trap streetcars of San Francisco, they are certainly used by everyone, including tourists.
We rode the streetcar out to a Christmas Lights Event at City Park. Our car was a wonderfully jolly bunch, singing carols and old tv show tunes (think Flintstones).
At another point, we rode a streetcar late at light and sat with a group of waiters, just off their shift, and a group of sisters and sister in-laws, who had been partying hard.
As a city, I give New Orleans a 10 out of 10. Great people, great food, great architecture.
Trains/Streetcars: 7 out of 10 (gained a point for cool factor, but lost points for coverage.)
Buses: 8 out of ten
Cleanliness/Art: 9 out of 10 Clean enough, wood interiors in remarkably good shape.
Usage: 7 out of 10
Timeliness: 7 out of 10
Crown Jewel: Riding with happy, drunk party people mixed with waiters and musicians just off work. +5
Total: 93% A-
Monday, November 29, 2010
Shanghai
Shanghai is an extraordinary, futuristic city. It feels like the city depicted in Blade Runner.
Everything feels very high tech, and the subway system is no exception. An added bonus is that the mass transit system, specifically the trains, is built into the infrastructure of tourist attractions and malls, making tourist life easier. Regarding the general, daily movement of the residents of the city, it also does a good job. It lacks the coverage of NYC or Tokyo, but is still very good. Points gained for being so clean and organized.
Trains: 9 out of 10
Buses: 9 out of ten
Cleanliness/Art: 8 out of 10 Clean, but not Tokyo.
Usage: 7 out of 10, there are 1.3 Billion people there, and though the trains are crowded, they are not that crowded!
Timeliness: 9 out of 10
Crown Jewel: The views from the Huangpu River Ferry boats. Unbelievable. +3
Total: 95% A
Everything feels very high tech, and the subway system is no exception. An added bonus is that the mass transit system, specifically the trains, is built into the infrastructure of tourist attractions and malls, making tourist life easier. Regarding the general, daily movement of the residents of the city, it also does a good job. It lacks the coverage of NYC or Tokyo, but is still very good. Points gained for being so clean and organized.
Trains: 9 out of 10
Buses: 9 out of ten
Cleanliness/Art: 8 out of 10 Clean, but not Tokyo.
Usage: 7 out of 10, there are 1.3 Billion people there, and though the trains are crowded, they are not that crowded!
Timeliness: 9 out of 10
Crown Jewel: The views from the Huangpu River Ferry boats. Unbelievable. +3
Total: 95% A
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Mailbag
You guys are crazy.
First, some answers to your questions:
Yes, I do own a car. I tried living in LA without one and found it impossible. Still I ride the trains often and do a good job of walking as much as possible. Over the years, I have always lived in LA locations that have subways stops nearby.
No, I do not think LA should impose a huge car tax. I would simply prefer to see better mass transit options available, and the city is moving in that direction, albeit slowly.
No, I have not seen any major movie stars on the subway or on buses in LA. I have seen a lot of them around, just not on mass transit. I've always said that pro-mass transit celebrities like George Clooney should ride mass transit in LA... that would get people to ride mass transit all the time! 8>)
and finally, thank you to the Asian couple who emailed me a picture of themselves having sex on a subway car. I think they are in Tokyo... there's another reason to advocate for mass transit!
First, some answers to your questions:
Yes, I do own a car. I tried living in LA without one and found it impossible. Still I ride the trains often and do a good job of walking as much as possible. Over the years, I have always lived in LA locations that have subways stops nearby.
No, I do not think LA should impose a huge car tax. I would simply prefer to see better mass transit options available, and the city is moving in that direction, albeit slowly.
No, I have not seen any major movie stars on the subway or on buses in LA. I have seen a lot of them around, just not on mass transit. I've always said that pro-mass transit celebrities like George Clooney should ride mass transit in LA... that would get people to ride mass transit all the time! 8>)
and finally, thank you to the Asian couple who emailed me a picture of themselves having sex on a subway car. I think they are in Tokyo... there's another reason to advocate for mass transit!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Happy National Train Day!
Today is National Train Day!
http://www.nationaltrainday.com/
The Train Cowboy will be celebrating!
http://www.nationaltrainday.com/
The Train Cowboy will be celebrating!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Driving all day today
despite some excellent options for getting downtown for a party tonight, The Train King will be avoiding trains today... April Fools!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sleeping on the Train
So... The Train Cowboy really likes to sleep... he recently ranked it has his second favorite activity... his favorite activity is not the subject of this blog, but you are welcome imagine... but we digress! Sleep is wonderful. In Tokyo, commuters literally learn to sleep standing up, while riding the trains. There are several favored technigues. One is to grab a handle or bar above your head, make an 'L' with your arm, and tuck your face into your arm.
If the train is particularly crowded, then you can literally sleep in the crowd, at least between stops. The other people kind of support you, in fact, many of them are often sleeping as well!
Many people also sleep in seats, if they have managed to get one.
On the whole, The Train Cowboy salutes Japan for having a country where it is safe to sleep on trains. TTC does not think one should sleep on trains in many of the world's cities, for fear of waking up without your watch, shoes and belt... or worse...
alright that's enough blog for tonight... time to go to sleep (in The Train King bed 8>)
If the train is particularly crowded, then you can literally sleep in the crowd, at least between stops. The other people kind of support you, in fact, many of them are often sleeping as well!
Many people also sleep in seats, if they have managed to get one.
On the whole, The Train Cowboy salutes Japan for having a country where it is safe to sleep on trains. TTC does not think one should sleep on trains in many of the world's cities, for fear of waking up without your watch, shoes and belt... or worse...
alright that's enough blog for tonight... time to go to sleep (in The Train King bed 8>)
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