NOWToronto: A Canuck expat in Geneva on the virtues of light rail

[marmar]

A Canuck expat in Geneva on the virtues of light rail
By May Warren


In the flap over Toronto’s transit future, we have to recognize that few have had any kind of exposure to light rail. For most of us, subways are our only experience of public transportation that works well and doesn’t get bogged down in traffic.

I can see why there’d be a tendency to associate light rail with old-fashioned, slow and unpredictable streetcars. But believe me, light rail is nothing like that.

As a Canadian expatriate living in Geneva, Switzerland, I’ve experienced first hand the wonders of a light-rail-based system that’s fast, efficient and dependable. In fact, I take a light rail “tram” to work every morning.

When I arrive at the stop where I change connections, a convenient automated screen shows when the next tram is coming and where it’s going. When the vehicle arrives, the doors open only briefly. You hurry on and they automatically lock behind you. This results in some dramatic scenes of frustrated people rushing to the tram, banging on the doors and making hysterical gestures, but it definitely speeds things up. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=186287

[DCKit]

1. But it's "public" and we all know that's code for "socialist". nt

[nxylas]

2. Don't think Canadians are as paranoid about socialism as USAmericans

They even have death panels