We Talk Friday
(WTF)
This is a semi-regular series that I will run on Fridays to hold discussions on a current topic from the week gone. The aim is to keep them light and conversational, though some might be heavier - regardless of the content topic itself though, just have some fun engaging and discussing with whoever happens to put in the effort in the comments section below.
We Talk Friday Ep. 34: Scent of a Tram
I was on the tram into the city today, and something stood out to me. It was a smell. And for a change, it was pleasant. A girl sitting across from me smelled good, which seems to be a pretty rare occurrence on public transport these days.
Finnish public transport is heaps better than what I was accustomed to in Australia, as it runs on time (for the most part), is clean (for the most part), and is used by all kind of people (for the most part). However, it is changing a bit over the last decade or so, because there has been an uptake in people driving, which means in a country where cars are expensive to buy, maintain, and insure - those on public transport tend to be the poorer now.
Same everywhere I guess (for the most part).
When I have travelled, I have generally taken public transport around the cities, because it is not only cheaper, but it is also a better way to get a feel for a location. All in all, it has been a pretty good experience, and I have had some unexpected good and funny conversations with strangers. It is a far better way to get a feel for a city than travelling by taxi to location to location, even though it can sometimes be quite daunting to try and workout how the system functions, what goes where, and where to get off - in foreign languages. But once practiced in a location or two, they are nearly all the same (for the most part).
In some countries though, according to the movies and the news, public transport seems to be pretty dangerous, filled with the dregs of society - drug addicts and people off their meds, muggers and pickpockets, and murderers - if in New York city. Public transport is something to fear.
Is that the case in your country?
I reckon it would be interesting to hear from people around the world about the state of the public transport in regard to timing, cleanliness, safety, overall experiences and maybe some example stories, to make some comparisons.
Tell me about it.
Taraz
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Public transportation is typically just in the real big cities here in the U.S. and is a pot luck of what you will experience. What I can tell you is that you better be on your toes because there are some whack-a-doodles that use it. As far as the smell you refer to, I can sympathize with that as well. I rode a bus once for a long period of time across country and I swear someone on that bus didn't know what a shower or deodarant was.
There are occasionally some whackos here too, buy I feel the US is another level.
The tram system in this city is only a few years old, so it doesn't have the stench. The trains are really comfortable though. Nothing like I have been on in sone places.
Do you ever wonder how sone seemingly normal people, don't shower enough?
I would imagine most people who dont shower enough, who aren't homeless, have some mental helath challenges of some sort. Depression I am sure plays a major role in it most likely. Then there are the real few who were never taught to properly care for themselves because their parents were twats. Then there are those that are just nasty and dont care.
I completely agree with this, if you are at a new place , there is nothing better than public transport. In Delhi public transport is good. Earlier it was Busses but with Metro train it get much better. But they remain too crowded during rush hours. Otherwise it is perfect mode of transport. You cant get away with pickpockets from a crowded sceme...in smaller town or village, I find the public transport like buses or small jeeps very friendly and supportive. There are no "pickpockters' and if you ask drivers to drop you at a specific point, they make sure to do. They wre good, trustworthy and friendly human being.
I have seen images of people riding on every part of the train in India. Does that still happen?
In local trains from one city to other neighbouring city it is happens sometimes, during student exams or interview..also during festival season ..due to lack of seats long distance train may get crowded....but otherwise it has improved a lot and doing fairly...the metro trains within the city is good mode if you can avoid rush hours....I.e 8-10 morning time and 5-8 evening
In some way, that spoils my view! :)
It is good that it is improving.
My wife and I were on a plane one time with her sister and brother in law on the way to Vegas. Her and her sister were next to each other and I swear the lady in their row pulled out a full blown chicken dinner from her bag. Bones and all. Needless to say everyone could smell it.
It is true that traveling in the public transport is quite enjoyable because you can meet different types of people and talk to them, which gives you a lot of extra pleasure. However, it is also true that traveling in the public transport is much riskier here compared to yours because many things can happen here, starting from pickpockets.
The stories of NYC trains being dangerous are propaganda, perpetuated mostly by Murdoch's Fox News, etc. It sucks that we have to now think about the biases and motivations behind the news that we see... we all desperately need more digital media literacy education... so that people will realize that the New York Subway is statistically safer than driving, and obviously can be much faster and produces way less pollution and emissions.
I've been loving public transport in Australia, they opened a few new train stations in Melbourne which I think will make it all even better, which is really exciting. I've mentioned it before, but I genuinely think I won't need a car for a few years.
Thanks